Sutherland was born July 17, 1935 in New Brunswick, Canada, later moving to Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. Throughout his childhood he battled a number of serious illnesses including polio, rheumatic fever and spinal meningitis.
He left Canada to pursue an interest in acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, and soon found work in TV and low-budget films.
He got a Hollywood breakthrough in the classic war film The Dirty Dozen, whose ensemble cast includes Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, Ernest Borgnine and Jim Brown. It was the fifth highest grossing film of 1967.
After leaving London for Hollywood, Sutherland landed one of his most iconic roles in the 1970 anti-war comedy-drama MASH, originating the role of “Hawkeye” Pierce. MASH was one of the most successful films of the decade and is regarded as a classic.
Throughout the ’70s, Sutherland was a Hollywood leading man: his films include in the Oscar-winning Klute opposite Jane Fonda, the psychological horror Don’t Look Now, and the remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. He also appeared in the hit comedy Animal House.
In 1980, he starred in Robert Redford’s Ordinary People, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Other major films include Backdraft, JFK, Six Degrees of Separation, The Italian Job and Pride and Prejudice.
Sutherland also had success on TV, winning an Emmy Award for the 1995 film Citizen X, and a Golden Globe for the television film Path to War.
A younger generation of moviegoers was introduced to Sutherland through The Hunger Games, the hit dystopian blockbuster series: Sutherland starred as the villainous President Coriolanus Snow.
Though he surprisingly never received an Oscar nomination, he received an Academy Honorary Award in 2017, “for a lifetime of indelible characters, rendered with unwavering truthfulness.” He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011, and on the Canadian Walk of Fame in 2000.
Sutherland was married three times; he was married to actress Francine Racette for 52 years until his death. He was previously married to Lois May Hardwick and Shirley Douglas, and also had an affair with his Klute co-star Jane Fonda.
He had five children — including most famously his son Kiefer Sutherland, the actor best known for playing Jack Bauer in 24.
”I was too young to go watch my father’s films in the cinema,” Kiefer Sutherland told The Hollywood Reporter in 2017. “By the time I hit 20, VHS was available and a friend of my fathers had a lot of his films. In three days I watched Don’t Look Know, Klute, M*A*S*H, Kelly’s Heroes, 1900 and Fellini’s Casanova.”
“It was such a wide spectrum of characters, and I remember calling him up and I felt really badly that I grew up not knowing what a profoundly special actor he was, I felt horribly guilty of that. As a young actor, I had never known or seen another actor who’ve done characters so diverse either.”
Rest in peace to the iconic actor Donald Sutherland who lent his talents to so many great, classic movies — you will be missed 💔😢
The Surprise Birthday That No One Expected
All I wanted for my 80th birthday was to see my daughter, so I made the decision to drive to her house and surprise her.
“Dad, why are you here?” she questioned as she opened the door, appearing uncomfortable.
“I just wanted to spend my birthday with you,” I answered, grinning. But I was unprepared for her response. “Dad, you can’t stay,” she said. I’m very busy right now.
I offered to stay on the couch until she had some time because I was upset, but she firmly refused, saying, “No, Dad, you really need to go right now.”
I turned and went back to my car even though I didn’t want to. I heard sounds coming from inside the house as I was leaving.
I was concerned as I peered through the window and noticed two strange persons inside. As my worries about my daughter’s safety increased, I made a police call.
The cops moved swiftly and cautiously toward the residence. Following several anxious moments, they emerged with the two strangers restrained by handcuffs.
My daughter gave me a big hug as she cried and dashed out of the house. “I’m so sorry, Dad,” she wept.
“I was attempting to protect you.” The guys broke in right before you arrived.
I didn’t know what to do and I didn’t want anything bad to happen to you.
I embraced her tight and felt a great sense of comfort. “It’s alright, my dear. Just knowing you’re secure pleases me.
After hearing our accounts, the police assured us that the intruders would be dealt with.
I had the most amazing birthday I could have ever imagined, thanks to the time I spent with my kid.
Leave a Reply