Legendary Canadian actor Donald Sutherland dead at 88

A Canadian legend has passed away.

New Brunswick-born actor Donald Sutherland has died at the age of 88. His son Kiefer Sutherland, also a well-regarded Hollywood actor, made the announcement Thursday on social media.

Sutherland was known for his starring roles in films like ‘The Dirty Dozen,’ ‘M*A*S*H,’ ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers,’ ‘Animal House’ and ‘The Hunger Games,’ as well as for his distinctive baritone voice and six-foot-four height.

In a social media post, Kiefer said his father was “one of the most important actors in the history of film,” who was “never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly.”

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

Despite appearing in more than 100 films, many critically acclaimed, Sutherland was never nominated for an Academy Award, though he did receive an honourary Oscar in 2017.

“He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more than that,” Keifer added. “A life well lived.”

Sutherland was an officer of the Order of Canada and he spent time in Saskatchewan during the filming of 1974’s ‘Alien Thunder,’ in which he played an RCMP officer. Filming took place in Saskatoon, Battleford and Duck Lake.

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It was on the set of ‘Alien Thunder’ that Sutherland met his third wife, Canadian actor Francine Racette. Previously, he was married to Shirley Douglas, the daughter of former Saskatchewan NDP Premier Tommy Douglas.

Sutherland leaves behind five children, including actors Kiefer, Rossif and Angus Sutherland.

–with files from The Canadian Press