Tributes paid to Donald Sutherland, who has died aged 88

Fans, friends, family and fellow actors have all paid tribute to Donald Sutherland, following news of his death yesterday, after a long illness. He was 88.

Born and raised in Canada, the legendary actor is renowned for his roles in films such as The Dirty Dozen (1967), M*A*S*H (1970), Klute (1971), Don't Look Now (1973), Fellini's Casanova (1976), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), Ordinary People (1980), Six Degrees of Separation (1993), Pride & Prejudice (2005), and The Hunger Games franchise (2012-2015), to name just a few.

He also memorably starred in the video for Kate Bush's 1985 single 'Cloudbusting'.

Sutherland is often listed as one of the mostly revered actors to have not received an Academy Award nomination. He received the Academy Honorary Award, however, in 2017.

Taking to social media yesterday evening, his son, actor Kiefer Sutherland, confirmed reports of his death – and described Donald as "one of the most important actors in the history of film."

"Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly," Kiefer continued. "He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more than that. A life well lived."

The Hunger Games franchise also shared their own online tribute to the actor – whose performance in the role of President Snow across the four films garnered critical acclaim.

"We asked the kindest man in the world to portray the most corrupt, ruthless dictator we’ve ever seen," their statement reads. "Such was the power and skill of Donald Sutherland’s acting that he created one more indelible character among many others that defined his legendary career. We are privileged to have known and worked with him, and our thoughts are with his family."

US President Joe Biden, meanwhile, has described Sutherland as "a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and one-of-a-kind actor who inspired and entertained the world for decades."

See more tributes to Donald Sutherland below:

“I wish I could say thank you to all of the characters that I've played, thank them for using their lives to inform my life.”

Donald Sutherland accepting an Honorary Award at the 2017 Governors Awards. pic.twitter.com/EWmGeTKY4f

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) June 20, 2024

Today we lost one of our greatest actors, Donald Sutherland. It was my honor to work with him many years ago, and I will never forget his charisma and ability. If you want a master class in acting, watch him in “Ordinary People”. My condolences to Kiefer. pic.twitter.com/qjMz69Nraq

— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) June 20, 2024

RIP the incredible actor Donald Sutherland
So great in "Kelly's Heroes" "Klute" "Invasion Of The Body Snatchers" etc and I have a special fondness for his role in Kate Bush's video for "Cloudbusting" RS pic.twitter.com/0E3FO4tfjp

— Ron Sexsmith 💙 (@RonSexsmith) June 20, 2024