Actor Donald Sutherland has delivered a fantastic number of appearances over the decades. In fact, he was quite a respectable actor in the horror and sci-fi genres for having appeared in the likes of Don’t Look Now, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Sadly, it’s been confirmed that he has died at age 88.
As shared by Deadline, he “died Thursday in Miami after a long illness.” He is said to be “survived by his wife Francine Racette; sons Roeg, Rossif, Angus, and Kiefer; daughter Rachel; and four grandchildren. A private celebration of life will be held by the family.”
Kiefer Sutherland shared his own statement regarding his father’s death on the social media platform X:
“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,” Kiefer writes. “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.”
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
Additionally, a few of Donald Sutherland’s other iconic roles include The Castle of the Living Dead, Citizen X, Fallen, the 2004 television adaptation of Salem’s Lot, and more recently the Stephen King adaptation Mr. Harrigan’s Phone. He also became particularly well-known by younger audiences for his performance as President Snow in The Hunger Games and its sequels.
His career was recognized with several awards over the years, with Sutherland having earned a Primetime Emmy for the aforementioned Citizen X, a Golden Globe for Path to War, and a variety of other nominations. As Kiefer himself summarizes his father, he was absolutely one of cinema’s most important actors, having delivered some all-time great performances in some of the most iconic and impactful movies ever made.