Donald Sutherland: Tributes From Family, Colleagues and Fans

Sutherland as Mr Bennet in 2005's "Pride and Prejudice"

Veteran Canadian actor Donald Sutherland passed away on the 20th of this month after a long illness. At the time of his passing, he was 88. 

Sutherland is survived by his  third wife Francine Racette  and his 5 children: among them , 24 alum Kiefer Sutherland; who made the sad announcement on Twitter/X:

During his decades long career, the Emmy and Golden Globe winner  starred in various award winning films; Klute, Don't Look Now, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Cold Mountain, Space Cowboys,    Pride and Prejudice, The Hunger Games franchise as well as TV roles in Citizen X, Salem's Lot (2004), Commander in Chief and Lawmen: Bass Reeves. He was also in the original film versions  of M*A*S*H, Buffy The Vampire Slayer and the thrillers, Natural Enemy and  Benefit of the Doubt. 

Since the sad news, tributes have poured in in praise of the late actor. 

From  Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, "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. He was a man with a strong presence, a brilliance in his craft, and truly a great Canadian artist and he will be deeply missed."

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

From  veteran actress and fellow 'Klute' co star Jane Fonda, "Donald was a brilliant actor and a complex man who shared quite a few adventures with me, such as the FTA Show, an anti-Vietnam war tour that performed for 60,000 active duty soldiers, sailors, and marines in Hawaii, Okinawa, the Philippines, and Japan in 1971. I am heartbroken."

From British Nigerian actor David Oyelowo who worked with him in his final work, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, "  Donald Sutherland's last onscreen performance was both a privilege and clear evidence to me of his deep passion for the craft of acting. The glint in his eye was that of an inquisitive, hungry artist still on the hunt for the truth. Seeing that glint, up close, in the eyes of a legend was something to behold."

From fellow M*A*S*H  co star, Elliot Gould, "Donald was a giant - not only physically but as a talent. He was also enormously kind and generous.It's never easy losing the calibre of human being and actor like Donald Sutherland, but this one really profoundly hurts

 because Donald was like my brother, and a big part of my own career."

From English actress Brenda Blethyn who played Mrs Bennet in Pride and Prejudice (2005), "Working with him on Pride and Prejudice was a joy," 

May he rest in peace. xxx