Hollywood veteran actor Donald Sutherland passed away on June 20, 2024, in Miami at the age of 88, following a long illness. Sutherland had a legendary journey with a career spanning over seven decades. He had stayed active in the years leading up to his passing and had upcoming projects in the works. Sutherland recently had a recurring role in the Western series “Lawmen: Bass Reeves,” along with the movies “Mr. Harrigan’s Phone” and “Miranda’s Victim.” Just like Sutherland, his sons Kiefer, Rossif, and Angus have also followed in his footsteps by joining the film line.
Actor Kiefer Sutherland shared a message of tribute on X along with a photo of himself as a child with his dad. He wrote,
“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.”
The Great Grand Legacy of Donald Sutherland
With a career spanning over seven decades, Donald Sutherland has contributed a major part of his lifetime to the cinematic world. For his incredible work in the industry, the actor has also been honored with numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards.
However, what Sutherland’s award list lacks is an Oscar. The actor is cited as one of the best actors never to have received an Academy Award nomination, but he received an Academy Honorary Award in 2017. In October 2023, Canada Post issued a stamp in his honor, commemorating his career as one of Canada’s most respected and versatile actors.
Sutherland rose to fame after starring in films such as The Dirty Dozen (1967), M*A*S*H (1970), and Kelly’s Heroes (1970). He subsequently starred in many films both in leading and supporting roles, including Start the Revolution Without Me (1970), Klute (1971), Don’t Look Now (1973), The Day of the Locust (1975), Fellini’s Casanova (1976), The Eagle Has Landed (1976), 1900 (1976), Animal House (1978), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), The First Great Train Robbery (1978), Ordinary People (1980), Eye of the Needle (1981), A Dry White Season (1989), Backdraft (1991), JFK (1991), Six Degrees of Separation (1993), Without Limits (1998), The Italian Job (2003), and Pride & Prejudice (2005).
Apart from being an incredible actor, Sutherland was an antiwar activist who started Free Theatre Associates.
Sutherland’s BBC obituary says that the “late Donald Sutherland cast a literal and figurative shadow over his industry for almost 50 years.”
Although Donald Sutherland is no longer with us, his incredible work has immortalized his name in the film world, leaving a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
