Donald Sutherland, stately star of ‘MASH,’ ‘Ordinary People’ and ‘Hunger Games,’ dies at 88

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I have always been in awe of Donald Sutherland‘s remarkable career in Hollywood. His talent and versatility as an actor left an indelible mark on cinema history, spanning over five decades. From his early days at Toronto University’s Hart House theater to his recent recognition in the “Hunger Games” trilogy, Sutherland’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.

I’m sad to share that the renowned Canadian actor Donald Sutherland, who gained fame for his unforgettable role in the satirical antiwar film “MASH,” and went on to captivate audiences with his moving performances in films like “Ordinary People” and “Don’t Look Now,” has passed away.

For over 60 years, Sutherland has been a prominent figure in Hollywood. He passed away on Thursday in Miami following a prolonged illness, as confirmed by his agency. At the time of his death, he was 88 years old.

Kiefer Sutherland, Son, expressed deep sadness over his father’s passing in a social media post on Thursday. He honored the legendary actor, expressing admiration for his unwavering commitment to his craft and his passion for his art. “One of the greatest actors in film history,” Kiefer reminisced, adding, “He embraced every role with courage and dedication, leaving behind a legacy of well-lived life.”

Donald Sutherland’s acting career spanned over two centuries of diverse roles, seamlessly moving from dramatic to comedic parts and effortlessly tackling heavier and lighter characters. Standing at 6-foot-4 with a head of white hair and striking blue eyes, he was an unmistakable presence on screen, be it as a quirky oddball, a ruthless despot, or a chilling villain. In total, he amassed almost 200 film and television appearances.

“He explained to The Times in 1995 that it’s the characters who bring stories or images to life. My role is primarily to share details about these characters with the audience.”

During his lengthy acting career, Sutherland excelled in lesser roles that typically went to older actors who were pigeonholed as villains or quirky sidekicks. However, Sutherland possessed a unique talent for breathing depth and complexity into these smaller parts, frequently adding richness to the films in which he appeared.

On the television screen, Sutherland made appearances in various shows including “Human Trafficking,” “Commander in Chief,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Pillars of the Earth,” and “Trust.” Initially aiming for a career on the stage, his only stint on Broadway was in Edward Albee’s production of “Lolita” back in 1981.

Donald McNichol Sutherland was born on July 17, 1935, in the quaint fishing village of St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, which had a population of around 5,000 at the time. He grew up as one of four siblings, with a mathematician mother and a salesman father, who made occasional visits by train to this rural community.

I originally intended to become an engineer and pursued my education at Victoria College in Toronto. There, I earned degrees in both engineering and drama. It was during this time that I met my first wife, Lois Hardwick. My passion for acting, however, was sparked in a movie theater in Nova Scotia when I was just a teenager. Acting in movies seemed like an unattainable dream, so I decided to explore the world of theater instead.

As a film enthusiast looking back on my past, I wouldn’t say that the theater was my initial passion. Instead, my deepest desire was simply to become an actor. In my naivety and shyness, I didn’t believe movies could offer me a place. I can’t explain why I held that belief about the theater as well. It just seemed more ordinary to me.

In 1956, he traveled to England to attend the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art for acting studies. However, after nine months, he left due to his dislike for its unique method of teaching acting through psychology. Subsequently, he joined several touring theater companies and graced the BBC television screens with appearances in shows like “The Saint” and “The Avengers,” featuring minor roles.

As a movie buff, I’ve experienced my fair share of rejections. Back in 1962, I eagerly went for an audition with high hopes. I left feeling confident that I had nailed it. The very next morning, the phone rang. It was the director. With a tone that was far from encouraging, he shared his feedback. “We’re looking for someone to play the role of the neighbor,” he explained. “Unfortunately, you don’t seem like the type who has ever lived next to anyone.”

In 1964, he produced his initial film, titled “The Castle of the Living Dead.” After this, he created a string of unremarkable productions including “Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors” and “Die! Die! My Darling!” His fortune changed when he moved to Hollywood in 1967, following the end of his first marriage, to feature in the 1968 thriller “The Split.”

“Back then, Sutherland, having been married to Shirley Douglas (later divorced in 1970), found himself short on funds,” he admitted. In search of advice, he reached out to his “Oedipus the King” co-star Christopher Plummer, who was currently engaged in a project in Stratford, Canada.

In an interview with The Times in 2011, Sutherland shared, “I woke him up. He lent me $1,500. Incredible! It was on a Boeing 707 – Shirley, Tom her son, and the twins Kiefer and Rachel, who were around 3 or 4 months old at the time. I was wearing a raincoat and holding Kiefer when we arrived in Los Angeles. Suddenly, he threw up all over me.”

Donald Sutherland and son Kiefer Sutherland photographed in 2016.
(Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

In 1967, the actor obtained a part in his initial significant American production, “The Dirty Dozen,” by utilizing a segment of his performance on “The Saint.” He expressed gratitude to renowned producer Ingo Preminger and director Robert Aldrich for securing this opportunity. Later on, they helped him get cast in the film “MASH.”

In “The Dirty Dozen,” I found myself playing a supporting role, almost like an background actor. The production team, however, wisely chose to hire authentic actors for the lower-ranking roles among the twelve.

In the year 1970, he swiftly gained recognition for portraying the arrogant surgeon Capt. Hawkeye Pierce in “MASH” and later the neurotic platoon commander Oddball in “Kelly’s Heroes.” Subsequently, he featured in prominent films such as Alan J. Pakula’s thriller “Klute,” Bernardo Bertolucci’s production “1900,” and Federico Fellini’s “Casanova.”

In the following years, an abundance of significant roles came my way including “The Eagle Has Landed,” “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” “The Day of the Locust,” and the 1973 occult thriller “Don’t Look Now.” These parts caused a stir due to an explicit love scene between Sutherland and Julie Christie, which was considered quite bold for that era.

During the 1970s, Sutherland was frequently cast as the main actor in movies. However, starting around this time, he started taking on a mix of leading roles in productions like “A Dry White Season” with Marlon Brando and “Ordinary People” with Robert Redford (which earned several Oscars), and character parts in films such as “JFK” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”

He additionally made appearances in less prominent films that eventually gained a dedicated fan base, including “National Lampoon’s Animal House,” “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”

In the “Hunger Games” trilogy, where he portrayed the wicked president, Coriolanus Snow, opposite Jennifer Lawrence, he gained a fresh surge of popularity among the younger crowd.

As a cinephile, I recall back in 2017, sharing a humorous experience with The Times. When I’d travel through an airport, something quite peculiar would occur. All of a sudden, I’d sense a gentle tug on my sleeve, and turning around, there’d be a young girl, usually accompanied by her mother. They’d ask me for a photograph, and as we posed together, the little girl would request, “Could you make a mean face?” So there I was, standing next to her, looking into the camera with my most intimidating expression.

Although Sutherland had an impressive career with many roles under his belt, he didn’t have a large collection of awards for his acting skills. He received only a few major awards: an Emmy and a Golden Globe for the 1995 miniseries “Citizen X,” and another Golden Globe for “Path to War” in 2002. However, the absence of more awards didn’t seem to affect him negatively.

Ever since I was 11 years old and performed in “The Male Animal” at Hart House theater in Toronto University, I’ve felt like my acting career has been on a steep decline. The audience’s laughter and applause during and after my appearances were unforgettable. Unfortunately, I have yet to experience such success again.

In 2017, they bestowed upon him an honorary Oscar – a prestigious award that celebrates remarkable accomplishments and groundbreaking advancements throughout a career in cinema arts and sciences. As a devoted fan, I can only imagine the immense pride and gratitude he must have felt receiving this esteemed recognition.

In the aftermath of their brief romance following the production of “Klute” in 1971, the actor found himself drawn to left-wing politics and a new vocation as an activist, courtesy of Jane Fonda. Their paths crossed at a Black Panther Party fundraiser in Los Angeles where he publicly expressed his disapproval of the Vietnam War. Later, Sutherland, Fonda, and other antiwar advocates established the Free Theatre Associates as an alternative to Bob Hope’s USO tours in Vietnam. However, it was uncovered in 2017 that the CIA had kept a close eye on him due to his activism, as evidenced by declassified documents.

Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore star in the 1980 film “Ordinary People,” which was directed by Robert Redford.
(Paramount Studios)

For Kiefer Sutherland, discovering his father’s seminal films as a teen was an eye-opening experience. He was already aware that his dad was a well-known actor, but he hadn’t realized the extent of his prolific career or the range of characters he had portrayed.

In an interview, the younger Sutherland, famously recognized for his starring part in “24” on TV, admitted that he had once phoned his father to express regret for being unaware of the true extent of his professional success.

In Joel Schumacher’s 1996 thriller “A Time to Kill,” the two Sutherlands made separate appearances, without interacting in any scenes. However, they portrayed an estranged father and son in the 2015 western film “Forsaken.”

Sutherland usually avoided watching his movies once they hit theaters, but on occasion, he acknowledged there were areas for enhancement when he finally sat down to view them.

He shared with The Times, “I must be honest – looking back, I’m focused only on regrets. While creating a piece, my entire focus and energy go into its core, consuming me entirely. Once completed, it disappears.”

I’m sad to share that Chad Sutherland leaves behind a loving family. His wife Francine Racette, sons Roeg, Rossif, Angus, and Kiefer, daughter Rachel, and four grandchildren, including “Veep” star Sarah Sutherland, will deeply feel his absence.

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2024-07-18 20:09