Donald Sutherland, the towering actor whose career spanned 'M.A.S.H.' to 'Hunger Games,' dies at 88

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

Associated Press

Jun 20, 2024, 5:50 PM

Updated 6 days ago

Share:

Donald Sutherland, the towering actor whose career spanned 'M.A.S.H.' to 'Hunger Games,' dies at 88
Donald Sutherland, the prolific film and television actor whose long career stretched from "M.A.S.H." to “The Hunger Games,” has died. He was 88.
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.”
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."
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 and the HBO limited series “The Undoing.” He never retired and worked regularly up until his death.
“I love to work. I passionately love to work,” Sutherland told Charlie Rose in 1998. “I love to feel my hand fit into the glove of some other character. I feel a huge freedom — time stops for me. I’m not as crazy as I used to be, but I’m still a little crazy.”
He received an honorary Oscar in 2017.


More from News 12
2:15
New Jersey storm damage, power outages impact thousands following overnight thunderstorms

New Jersey storm damage, power outages impact thousands following overnight thunderstorms

2:02
Sunshine returns with less humidity in New Jersey; tracking weekend showers

Sunshine returns with less humidity in New Jersey; tracking weekend showers

2:14
Downed trees in New Jersey lead to injuries, intensive damage to homes

Downed trees in New Jersey lead to injuries, intensive damage to homes

0:32
US attorney: Former Newark deputy mayor admits scheming with 2 businessmen to obtain bribes

US attorney: Former Newark deputy mayor admits scheming with 2 businessmen to obtain bribes

0:20
Prosecutors: 2 men charged for multiple gas station store burglaries in Somerset County

Prosecutors: 2 men charged for multiple gas station store burglaries in Somerset County

0:55
Taking a road trip to Long Beach Island’s Fantasy Island Amusement Park

Taking a road trip to Long Beach Island’s Fantasy Island Amusement Park

0:24
CDC revises its RSV vaccine recommendations

CDC revises its RSV vaccine recommendations

2:31
Jackson Township school in danger of closing due to $18M budget shortfall

Jackson Township school in danger of closing due to $18M budget shortfall

2:11
Tractor-trailer crashes into 2 Carteret homes, narrowly missing children at play

Tractor-trailer crashes into 2 Carteret homes, narrowly missing children at play

1:42
Lakewood woman faces judge for allegedly drowning her 2 young children

Lakewood woman faces judge for allegedly drowning her 2 young children

0:51
Jersey Proud: Group goes out looking for injured turtles out during nesting season

Jersey Proud: Group goes out looking for injured turtles out during nesting season

0:23
 Prosecutor: Newark police officer intended to sell marijuana near a school

Prosecutor: Newark police officer intended to sell marijuana near a school

3:45
The East End: Mon Tiki Catamaran in Montauk

The East End: Mon Tiki Catamaran in Montauk

Officials lift boil water advisory issued in Bloomfield over E. coli found in sample

Officials lift boil water advisory issued in Bloomfield over E. coli found in sample

0:56
Seaside Park installs upgraded lightning detection warning system along the boardwalk

Seaside Park installs upgraded lightning detection warning system along the boardwalk

0:57
Officials: Body of missing swimmer recovered from West Milford reservoir

Officials: Body of missing swimmer recovered from West Milford reservoir

1:06
‘It’s a mess.’ Linden business flooded due to water main break; South Park Avenue reopens

‘It’s a mess.’ Linden business flooded due to water main break; South Park Avenue reopens

0:27
Authorities: 6-year-old boy drowns at Mansfield Township summer camp

Authorities: 6-year-old boy drowns at Mansfield Township summer camp

0:15
Somerville MVC temporarily closes following vehicle crash into building

Somerville MVC temporarily closes following vehicle crash into building

0:38
Columbia High School principal accused of assaulting student faces downgraded assault charge

Columbia High School principal accused of assaulting student faces downgraded assault charge