Hollywood legend Donald Sutherland dies after 'long illness' as tributes pour in

Legendary actor of Hollywood Donald Sutherland has passed away at the age of 88. His acting career spanned over seven decades after he broke onto the scene in the late 1960s.

An emotional tribute was paid by his son Keifer Sutherland who shared a black and white photo of them together. Sutherland starred in a number of classic films in the 70s, reports MirrorOnline.

Titles included MASH, Animal House, Don't Look Now and Klute. CAA, his agent, also confirmed news of the actor's passing to the PA agency.

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Sutherland is survived by Francine Racette, his wife, his sons Roeg, Rossif, Angus and Kiefer alongside his daughter Rachel. He also had four grandchildren.

Keifer said in a tribute: "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."

In a statement to the PA agency, CAA said: "Acclaimed actor Donald Sutherland died today in Miami, Florida, after a long illness. He was 88 years old."

A private celebration of life will be held by the family. Sutherland won a Golden Globe for the television movie Path To War and another gong along with an Emmy Award for the the mini-series Citizen X. In 2017 he received an Academy Honorary Award for his acting. Sutherland’s most recent roles included The Hunger Games film franchise as dictator president Coriolanus Snow, and as a judge in the 2023 TV show Lawmen: Bass Reeves. Sutherland was born on July 17, 1935 in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.

As a child, he had rheumatic fever, hepatitis, and poliomyelitis. He started his first part-time job at the age of 14 as a news correspondent for local radio station CKBW. Sutherland went on to study at Victoria University, an affiliated college of the University of Toronto, where he met his first wife Lois May Hardwick. He graduated with a double major in engineering and drama.

Sutherland decided to head to Britain in 1957 where he studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He then went on to spend a year at the Perth Repertory Theatre in Scotland before gaining roles in British TV and films.

He racked up an impressive 200 film and TV credits throughout his career. His big break in movies came with Robert Aldrich’s star-packed 1967 World War II drama The Dirty Dozen, playing Vernon Pinkley opposite Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson, George Kennedy and Telly Savalas.

Sutherland received various honours throughout his life including inductions into the Canadian Walk of Fame in 2000 and Hollywood Walk of Fame 2011. He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1978, a Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2012 and received the Companion of the Order of Canada in 2019. In October 2023, Canada Post issued a stamp in his honour, commemorating his career as one of Canada's most respected and versatile actors.

Sutherland married three times throughout his life - first to Lois May Hardwick from 1959 to 1966 and then to Canadian actress Shirley Douglas from 1966 to 1970. Tributes have poured in for the actor as actor Morgan Freeman wrote: "It was such an honor to be presented with the Crystal Nymph, a lifetime achievement award for acting by @festivaltvmonte_carlo! I now share this award with incredible previous winners such as Donald Sutherland, @helenmirren, and @michaelkirkdouglas. Thank you!" Broadcaster Piers Morgan said: "RIP Donald Sutherland, 88. One of my all-time favourite actors who played so many great roles. What a sad loss."