Kiefer Sutherland Shared A Heartfelt Tribute To His Father Donald Sutherland Following His Death

Donald Sutherland has died at the age of 88.

Donald Sutherland wearing a jacket and scarf, posing for a photo

Donald's son and fellow actor Kiefer Sutherland issued a statement on Thursday on X (formerly Twitter), announcing his father's death.

Donald Sutherland and Kiefer Sutherland smile at an event
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"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 wrote.

Donald Sutherland and Kiefer Sutherland at a Hollywood Walk of Fame event. They smile as Kiefer holds a plaque
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"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," he continued.

Kiefer Sutherland and Donald Sutherland, wearing tuxedos, standing together at the Oscars
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Donald got his start as a professional actor in the '60s, including a performance in the 1967 film The Dirty Dozen.

Cast members of the film "The Dirty Dozen" wearing military uniforms and helmets, posing together outdoors
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He went on to appear in numerous notable films, including M*A*S*H, Klute, Animal House, Ordinary People, JFK, The Italian Job, and Pride & Prejudice.

Screenshot from "M*A*S*H"
Century Fox Film Corp. All rights reserved. / courtesy Everett Collection

In 1995, he won an Emmy for his role in the HBO film Citizen X.

Donald Sutherland in a formal suit holding his Emmy Award  with Emmy logos
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Though he never was nominated for an Oscar, he received an Honorary Award in 2017.

Donald Sutherland accepting his honorary Oscar
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At the time, the actor was coming off a notable role as President Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games franchise, a character he played in all four series films from 2012 to 2015.

Donald Sutherland in an elaborate brocade coat as President Snow
Murray Close/©Lionsgate/Courtesy Everett Collection

The character's rise to power was the focal point of the recent Hunger Games prequel The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, based on the novel of the same name. Tom Blyth starred as a young President Snow. The film was released last year and became a box office hit.

Tom Blyth, in a formal red outfit, holding a flower while interacting with a woman inside an industrial setting in a scene from the film "The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes"
Lionsgate / Courtesy Everett Collection

Most recently, Donald had a multi-episode role as Judge Parker in the Paramount+ TV miniseries Lawmen: Bass Reeves.

Closeup of Donald Sutherland sitting at a desk in a scene from "Lawmen: Bass Reeves"
Lauren Smith/Paramount+

He is survived by his wife, actress Francine Racette, and five children.