Donald Sutherland's last public appearance before his death aged 88 (2024)

Hollywood icon Donald Sutherland looked at ease in the spotlight during his last public appearance before his death at the age of 88.

The actor, whose death was announced on Thursday, last spoke to the press via Zoom in March of 2021 after winning a Critics Choice award for his role in HBO's The Undoing.

Sutherland looked smart in a tuxedo and black bowtie, with his white shoulder-length hair down.

He was discussing his role as Nicole Kidman's father in the mini-series, which follows her character after her husband, played by Hugh Grant, is accused of murder.

When askedabout how he was able to have such a successful career for over six decades, Sutherland replied that it was about his mindset.

Hollywood icon Donald Sutherland looked at ease in the spotlight during his last public appearance before his death at the age of 88

He said: 'I can only say—it sounds awful and really pretentious—but it’s always been the pursuit of truthfulness, the truthfulness of the character, and the joy of discovering that, that’s been the great happiness of my life.'

The veteran Canadian actor's death from a long illness was announced by his movie star son Kiefer Sutherland Thursday.

He died in Miami, according to his talent agency CAA.

No further details were immediately available.

Sutherland's career spanned over 60 years. He saw a resurgence in popularity with a younger audience in recent years thanks to his role as the evil President Snow in The Hunger Games franchise.

He was discussing his role as Nicole Kidman 's father in HBO's The Undoing, which follows her character after her husband, played by Hugh Grant , is accused of murder

The actor, whose death was announced on Thursday, last spoke to the press via Zoom in March of 2021. He is seen with his honorary Oscar in 2017

Kiefer Sutherland, the actor’s son, confirmed his father’s death Thursday. No further details were immediately available.

'I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film,' Kiefer Sutherland said on X. '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.'

In 2022, Sutherland appeared on what would be his last projects, Lawmen: Bass Reeves and Swimming With Sharks.

Sutherland was set to star in upcoming apocalyptic flick Heart Land, which is in pre-production.

The tall and gaunt Canadian actor with a grin that could be sweet or diabolical was known for offbeat characters like Hawkeye Pierce in Robert Altman’s M.A.S.H., the hippie tank commander in Kelly’s Heroes and the stoned professor in Animal House.

Sutherland's career spanned over 60 years and he saw a resurgence with a younger audience in recent years thanks to his role as the evil President Snow in The Hunger Games franchise

Donald Sutherland making point while sitting in a scene from the film 'MASH', 1970

Before transitioning into a long career as a respected character actor, Sutherland epitomized the unpredictable, antiestablishment cinema of the 1970s.

Over the decades, Sutherland showed his range in more buttoned-down — but still eccentric — parts in Robert Redford’s Ordinary People and Oliver Stone’s JFK. More, recently, he starred in the Hunger Games films.

He never retired, working regularly up until his death.

A memoir, Made Up, But Still True, was due out in November.

His first American film was 'The Dirty Dozen' in 1967, in which he played Vernon Pinkley, the officer-impersonating psychopathic.

Angus Sutherland with date, Roeg Sutherland, Donald Sutherland, Rachel Sutherland, Rossif Sutherland at the Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremony honoring Donald Sutherland in 2011

The year 1970 saw the release of both the World War II yarn Kelly’s Heroes and M.A.S.H., an acclaimed smash hit that catapulted Sutherland to stardom.

Sutherland won an Emmy in 1995 for his role on Citizen X, and was nominated in 2006 for Human Trafficking, as reported by Variety.

The actor also won a Golden Globe for the miniseries Citizen X and for the television movie Path to War.

In 2017 he received an Honorary Award from the Academy.

He also leaves behind his wife Francine Racette and their three adult sons. The couple is seen in 2016

Sutherland is survived by Keith and his twin sister Rachel from his marriage to ex-wife Shirley Douglas.

Having been married in 1966, he and Douglas divorced in 1971.

In 1974, the actor began living with actress Francine Racette, with whom he remained ever after.

They had three children: Roeg, born in 1974 and named after the director Nicolas Roeg (Don’t Look Now); Rossif, born in 1978 and named after the director Frederick Rossif; and Angus Redford, born in 1979 and named after Robert Redford.

Sutherland also leaves behind four grandchildren.

Donald Sutherland's last public appearance before his death aged 88 (2024)
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