Donald Sutherland Has Died
Donald Sutherland, the legendary star of The Hunger Games and numerous other films and TV shows, has died.
Throughout his prolific career, Sutherland played memorable roles such as Mr Bennet in the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley, and Hawkeye Pierce in the film MAS*H.
His other notable film roles include performances in Ordinary People, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and as the villainous President Snow in all four Hunger Games movies alongside Jennifer Lawrence.
The Canadian actor is survived by his five children, including his son, Kiefer Sutherland, whom he shared with his ex-wife, actress Shirley Douglas.
Sutherland passed away aged 88 on Thursday, June 20, in Miami, Florida, as confirmed by Missy Davy of talent agency CAA to People.
“A private celebration of life will be held by the family,” Davy said.
Sutherland’s son has now paid tribute to his father.
The 24 and Lost Boys actor wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away.
“I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film. Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly.
“He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more than that. A life well lived.”
Kiefer previously told The Guardian that his famous dad’s career inspired his own Hollywood path.
With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away. I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film. Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more… pic.twitter.com/3EdJB03KKT
— Kiefer Sutherland (@RealKiefer) June 20, 2024
The Coriolanus Snow actor told Variety he never thought his role in The Hunger Games would be so iconic, with young fans asking for photos years later.
“I was at my dermatologist, and she asked me what I was doing next,” he recalled. “I told her I was about to do something called The Hunger Games. She gasped and started calling everyone into the room, and they all came running. That was my first inkling it might be something big.”
In the prequel film, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, actor Tom Blyth plays a younger version of Sutherland’s character.
Sutherland, who had more than 200 credits to his name, had a career that spanned over fifty years.
The announcement of his passing prompted an outpouring of support and tributes.
Cary Elwes, a co-star in Uprising, expressed his sorrow over Sutherland’s death, saying he was ‘devastated.’
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reminisced about feeling ‘deeply, deeply star-struck’ when he first met Sutherland.
“My thoughts go out to Kiefer and the entire Sutherland family, as well as all Canadians who are undoubtedly saddened to learn this news, as I am right now,” he said.
“He was a man with a strong presence, a brilliance in his craft, and truly a great Canadian artist,” he added.
Ron Howard, who directed Sutherland in Backdraft, described him as ‘one of the most intelligent, interesting, and engrossing film actors of all time’.
Though the actor’s cause of death has not yet been confirmed, his talent agency said that he died after a ‘long illness.’
