“Donald Sutherland was unique”: Hollywood mourns actor

Numerous friends, colleagues and fans have said goodbye to actor Donald Sutherland (1935-2024) on social networks, who was known as the villain in “The Hunger Games”, among other things. The Hollywood icon, who was awarded an honorary Oscar, died on July 20th at the age of 88 after a long illness.

Above all, his son, “24” star Kiefer Sutherland, left him moving lines via Instagram when he announced his father’s death: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce that my father Donald Sutherland has passed away. I personally consider him to be one of the most important actors in the history of film. Never deterred by a role, whether good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and you can’t ask for more than that. A life well lived.”

Many top-class stars publicly mourn Donald Sutherland

On his private Instagram profile, companion Michael Douglas wrote: “What a kind, talented and curious man. Rest in peace.” Actor Henry Winkler said of Sutherland’s father Kiefer: “Your father was indeed one of a kind.” Frank Sinatra’s daughter, Nancy Sinatra, said: “That hurts!” Director Ron Howard filmed “Backdraft” (1991) with Donald Sutherland: “One of the most intelligent, interesting and captivating film actors of all time.”

Helen Mirren pays tribute in an official statement: “Donald Sutherland was one of the brightest actors I have ever worked with. (…) He combined this great intelligence with a deep sensitivity and with a seriousness about his profession as an actor. All this made him the film legend that he became. He was my colleague and became my friend. I will miss his presence in this world.”