Donald Sutherland, a prolific character actor who starred in numerous horror films including “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” has died at the age of 88…
Veteran character actor Donald Sutherland, who starred in dozens of horror and science fiction films throughout his prolific career, died on Thursday. He was 88 years old.
Sutherland’s son, Kiefer Sutherland, announced the sad news on Instagram.
“With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away,” Sutherland wrote. “I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film. 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. A life well lived.”
Throughout his career, Sutherland was one of the busiest actors working in Hollywood where he would routinely film several films each year.
Born in Canada, Sutherland got his start on stage as a theater actor before getting small roles across film and TV in England. He made his first appearance in a horror film in 1964 when he starred opposite Christopher Lee in “Castle of the Living Dead” and “Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors.”
He also appeared in a supporting role in the Hammer Films classic “Die! Die! My Darling.”
In 1970, Sutherland landed one of his most iconic roles in “MASH,” which was later adapted into the one of the most popular TV series of all time.
While he crossed genres constantly with his performances, Sutherland always found his way back to horror, which included a role in the 1973 thriller “Don’t Look Now” as well as the 1978 remake “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” which has remained a cult classic for many years.
Sutherland eventually starred in the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” film alongside Kristy Swanson and Rutger Hauer, which was based on the original creation from Joss Whedon long before he adapted his story for television starring Sarah Michelle Gellar.
One of his most famous roles in recent years came when Sutherland sought out to play the part of President Snow in “The Hunger Games” series and he starred in all the subsequent sequels as well.
As he was promoting an appearance in the film “An American Haunting,” Sutherland addressed his numerous appearances in horror films and he stated that it wasn’t the genre he was pursuing as much as that particular role and the director he had the chance to work with.
“Nothing to do with genre,” Sutherland explained. “I don’t even think about it. The genre has to do with the director, it has nothing to do with the actor. Comedy has to do with the director. It’s just the reality of the character. You bring it in.”
Sutherland is survived by his wife and five children.
