Donald Sutherland’s son and actor Kiefer Sutherland paid tribute to his father on social media. “I personally think he’s one of the most important actors in film history. Never be intimidated by a character, good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did, he did what he loved, and you can’t ask for anything. A life well lived.”
US President Joe Biden praised Sutherland as a loving husband, father, grandfather and actor who was “one of a kind”. He inspired and entertained the world for decades. “My thoughts are with his family and all who loved him,” he wrote on the online site X.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote in X. A great, legendary actor – and a great Canadian.” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk commented: “Rest in peace, Donald Sutherland – the best of all Donalds.”
Born in New Brunswick, Canada, in 1935, Sutherland is a multi-award winner best known for playing the unscrupulous President Snow in the “Hunger Games” blockbuster series, among others. Since the 1960s, the father of five has appeared in more than 150 films and television productions – serving each genre with enormous versatility.
War classic “The Dirty Dozen” (1967) was his first international hit. Another hit came with Robert Altman’s military satire “Mash.” In 1971, he starred alongside Jane Fonda as a private detective in Alan Bakula’s psychological thriller “Clute.”
In Hollywood, he was immortalized with a star on the “Walk of Fame” in 2011, next to his son Kiefer’s plaque. But no higher honor. Despite her many outstanding roles, Sutherland was never nominated for an Oscar. In 2017, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognized him out of competition and presented him with an honorary Oscar for his lifetime achievement.
“My heart is broken,” Oscar winner Fonda, 86, wrote on Instagram. “Donald is a great actor and a complex person.”
Actor Michael Douglas, 79, took to Instagram to wish Sutherland rest in peace. “What a beautiful, talented and interesting man,” said German director Roland Emmerich (68), speaking of “a great privilege to have made the film “Moonfall” with the incredibly talented and legendary Donald Sutherland. “A true screen icon of modern cinema has left us. My condolences to his family. Deepest condolences”
Stars like Elijah Wood, John Cusack and Rob Lowe also took to social media to express their sadness over the actor’s death.
