"Ordinary People" Actor Donald Sutherland 1935-2024 Memorial Video

Donald McNichol Sutherland CC (July 17, 1935 – June 20, 2024) was a Canadian actor. With a career spanning six decades, he received numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards as well as a BAFTA Award nomination. Considered one of the best actors never nominated for an Academy Award, he was given an Academy Honorary Award in 2017.

Sutherland rose to fame after roles in the war films The Dirty Dozen (1967), M*A*S*H (1970), and Kelly's Heroes (1970). 

KELLY'S HEROES (1970)

He subsequently appeared in many leading and supporting roles, including Klute (1971), Don't Look Now (1973), 1900 (1976), Fellini's Casanova (1976), Animal House (1978), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), Ordinary People (1980), A Dry White Season (1989), JFK (1991), Six Degrees of Separation (1993), Without Limits (1998), and Pride & Prejudice (2005). He portrayed President Snow in The Hunger Games franchise (2012–2015).

ORDINARY PEOPLE (1980)

On television, Sutherland's performance in the HBO film Citizen X (1995) won him the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. For his portrayal of Clark Clifford in the HBO film Path to War (2002) he earned the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film. He also acted in Uprising (2001), Human Trafficking (2005), Trust (2018), and The Undoing (2020).

THE HUNGER GAMES (2012-2015)

Sutherland was made an Officer of the Order of Canada (OC) in 1978, inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame in 2000 and the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011. He is the father of Kiefer, Rossif, and Angus Sutherland, all actors.

CITIZEN X (1995)

Donald Sutherland died in Miami on June 20, 2024, aged 88, following a long illness.

Kiefer Sutherland announced his death on X/Twitter adding, "He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more than that. A life well lived." 

Upon hearing of his death, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote, "We've lost one of the greats. Donald Sutherland brought a level of brilliance to his craft few could match. A remarkable, legendary actor — and a great Canadian." 

U.S. President Joe Biden wrote, "Donald Sutherland was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and one-of-a-kind actor who inspired and entertained the world for decades." 

Numerous members of the film industry wrote condolences, including Jane Fonda, Alec Baldwin, William Baldwin, Tom Blyth, Josh Brolin, Kim Cattrall, John Cusack, Michael Douglas, Roland Emmerich, Elliott Gould, Ron Howard, John Leguizamo, Janet Maslin, Helen Mirren, David Oyelowo, Lou Diamond Phillips, Richard Roeper, Will Smith, Henry Winkler, Edgar Wright and Rachel Zegler.