Donald Sutherland, an actor best known for his work in MASH, Don’t Look Now, and The Hunger Games, died on Thursday at the age of 88.
His son, Kiefer, announced his father’s death on Instagram.
Sutherland was regarded as one of the most important film actors of his generation.
He was never afraid of taking on roles that were bad or ugly, and he loved what he did. He was born in 1935 in New Brunswick, Canada. His career in the industry lasted for over 70 years.
After graduating from Victoria University with a joint degree in drama and engineering, he moved to Britain in 1957.
He then became a prominent actor in the film industry after he was cast in Robert Aldrich’s The Dirty Dozen. In 2005, Sutherland revealed that he only had one line in that movie until Clint Walker refused the role of a general.
He claimed that Aldrich, who didn’t know his name, told him that he had the big ears to do it.
After moving to Hollywood, Sutherland was able to land a memorable role in Robert Altman’s MASH, which was about the Korean War’s medics.
His role in the film was nominated for a Golden Globe award. It launched his career as an actor.
He also worked with Jane Fonda in Klute, which was an acclaimed film. In her acceptance speech, the actress said that her performance was due to the intense feelings she experienced working with Sutherland.
During their time working on the film, Sutherland and Fonda started an affair. While she was married to Roger Vadim, the film’s director, they continued to work together. Sutherland was praised for his performance in Ordinary People, which won an Oscar.
He then became known to younger fans for his portrayal of the President Snow in the “The Hunger Games” movies, which started in 2012.
He most recently appeared in the Western series Lawmen: Bass Reeves, where he played the role of Judge Parker.
Sutherland is often regarded as an outstanding actor but never received an Oscar nomination.
In 2017, he was given an Honorary award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In 1978, he was made an officer of the Order of Canada. In 2019, he was also promoted to the Companion of the Order.
In the Vietnam War, Sutherland, Howard Hesseman, Peter Boyle, and Fonda collaborated to create the traveling revue known as FTA, which was also referred to as F*@k the Army.
In 2017, documents revealed that he was placed on the NSA’s watch list due to his anti-war activities.
From 1959 to 1966, Sutherland was married to May Hardwick. He then wed Shirley Douglas, his third wife, from 1966 to 1970.
He is survived by his three children from his first marriage, as well as his daughter Rachel with Racette.
