Canadian actor Donald Sutherland dies at the age of 88

Washington (USA): Famous Canadian actor Donald Sutherland, known for his legendary roles in films such as “The Dirty Dozen” and “The Hunger Games,” has died in Miami at the age of 88 after a long illness, according to Variety.

Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Sutherland rose to fame through a variety of roles that demonstrated his versatility and talent.

He became a counter-culture icon with roles in classic films such as The Dirty Dozen, MASH, Klute and The Gangsters. Over the course of his career, he portrayed villains, anti-heroes, romantic leads and mentors with equal aplomb, winning recognition and admiration from audiences around the world.

Sutherland’s most recent success includes his role as President Snow in the Hunger Games franchise, which brought him renewed prominence in pop culture. He continued to captivate audiences with his performances, appearing as Judge Parker in the series Lawmen: Bass Reeves and in the 2022 series Swimming With Sharks.

His successes were not limited to the big screen. Sutherland won a supporting actor Emmy in 1995 for his compelling performance in HBO’s “Citizen X” and received critical acclaim in 2006 for his role in the Lifetime miniseries “Human Trafficking.”

Sutherland began his career with roles in low-budget horror films such as Castle of the Living Dead (1963) and Die! Die! My Darling (1965), but he quickly rose to more significant roles, including his memorable turn in The Dirty Dozen (1967) and his collaborations with Elliot Gould in Little Murders (1971) and with Irvin Kershner in Spies (1974).

His role as Sergeant Oddball in the action film Kelly’s Heroes (1970) opposite Clint Eastwood cemented his reputation as a scene-stealer with his portrayal of an eccentric tank commander. Sutherland later reunited with Eastwood in Space Cowboys (2000), proving his versatility as a former top pilot.

In 1971, Sutherland starred opposite Jane Fonda in “Klute,” directed by Alan J. Pakula, a significant milestone in his career. His portrayal of a troubled detective who begins a romantic relationship with a call girl (Fonda) was highly acclaimed by critics, and Fonda praised Sutherland’s Oscar-winning performance.

In addition to his acting skills, Sutherland was also known for his involvement during the Vietnam War. Along with Fonda, Peter Boyle and Howard Hesseman, he co-founded the controversial anti-war group FTA (Free the Army), which performed for soldiers and drew the ire of government agencies such as the Pentagon and the FBI.

Sutherland’s career continued to develop with roles in influential films such as Nicholas Roeg’s psychological thriller The Gondolas in Black (1973), in which his understated acting style complemented Julie Christie’s performance in a haunting story of grief and loss.

Despite occasional setbacks, including turning down roles in films such as The Man Who Died (1972) and choosing unconventional roles such as Alex in Wonderland (1970) over Who Forgets the Sun (1971), Sutherland’s commitment to challenging roles remained undiminished. His portrayal of complex characters in films such as Fellini’s Casanova (1976) and Bertolucci’s 1900 (1977) underscored his willingness to take risks and explore different facets of human nature.

In 1980, Sutherland delivered a career-defining performance in Robert Redford’s “Ordinary Family,” in which he played a grieving father struggling through family turmoil. His performance garnered critical acclaim and demonstrated his ability to reach deep emotional depths.

Donald Sutherland’s contributions to cinema were marked throughout his career by his dedication to his craft, his versatility in roles and his commitment to artistic integrity. His death leaves behind a legacy of unforgettable performances and a lasting influence on the film industry.

Donald Sutherland leaves behind his family and will be fondly remembered by colleagues, fans and admirers around the world for his extraordinary talent and contribution to cinema. (ANI)