Donald Sutherland, actor known for Hunger Games and Kelly's Heroes, has died aged 88

20 June 2024, 18:23 | Updated: 20 June 2024, 19:05

Donald Sutherland, actor known for Hunger Games (top) and MASH (bottom), has died aged 88
Donald Sutherland, actor known for Hunger Games (top) and MASH (bottom), has died aged 88. Picture: Alamy

By Christian Oliver

Donald Sutherland, the veteran actor known for The Hunger Games and MASH, has died at the age of 88, his son Kiefer has announced.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The Hollywood actor, whose career spanned some six decades, was known for cult films such as MASH, Don't Look Now and Animal House. Sutherland was more recently known for playing President Snow in the Hunger Games franchise.

He died after "a long illness", his agent confirmed to the PA news agency.

Announcing his father's passing in a post on X, Keifer - also an actor - wrote: "With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away.

"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."

He also shared a black and white photo of himself as a child with his father.

Sutherland is survived by wife Francine Racette, his daughter Rachel and sons Roeg, Rossif, Angus, and Kiefer - the latter best known for his role in TV series 24 and films Phone Booth and The Three Musketeers. He had four grandchildren.

The veteran actor received an honorary Oscar in 2017 after being considered one of the greatest actors never to have been nominated for an Academy Award.

Born in New Brunswick, Canada, Sutherland started his career as a news reporter on radio before moving to London in 1957.

He studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and was awarded small roles on UK television.

Donald Sutherland attending the UK Premiere of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 at the Odeon Leicester Square, June 20, 2024
Donald Sutherland attending the UK Premiere of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 at the Odeon Leicester Square, June 20, 2024. Picture: Alamy
Donald Sutherland with his son Keifer in 1991
Donald Sutherland with his son Keifer in 1991. Picture: Alamy

Sutherland had a role in World War II action film The Dirty Dozen 1967, before moving onto Kelly's Heroes, where he played Sergeant Oddball.

He then played a detective assisted on his hunt for a missing person by a call girl in Klute in 1971, starring alongside co-star Jane Fonda.

The co-stars then dated for a few years before splitting.

His other roles saw him play an IRA member in The Eagle Has Landed, and a pot-smoking college professor in National Lampoon's Animal House, before starring in the 1987 remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Sabrina

'Not really a fan': Chancellor Rachel Reeves admits she accepted free Sabrina Carpenter tickets for family member

Former President Of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro

Former Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro ordered to stand trial over alleged coup plot

Kerri Pegg, 42, was seen as a "rising star" in the Prison Service.

Prison governor shared 'romance with dealer inmate who gifted her £12k Mercedes bought with drug money'

Donald Trump

US travel warnings: Full list of countries advising 'caution' for trans citizens visiting America amid fears over 'detention'

(Left to right) The Prince of Wales, Kaleb Cooper and Charlie Ireland

Prince William shares piece of advice with Clarkson Farm's stars in show of support for farmers

Nalika Ranasinghe, 55, is on the run from prison after failing to attend a sentencing hearing for exchanging more than 1,200 messages with what he thought was a 14-year-old girl.

Manhunt launched for paedophile posing 'significant risk to children' on the run from prison

Andrew Clark

Pictured: Man, 43, battered to death outside Sainsbury's - as suspect charged with murder

Four American soldiers are feared dead in Lithuania

Four US soldiers feared dead after vanishing during Nato war drill in Lithuania

Rachel Reeves outlined some big changes to the welfare system including how Universal Credits are claimed

What are the benefits and Universal Credit changes outlined in the Spring Budget 2025?

Father Gilliot is believed to have taken his own life last Saturday

Catholic priest who fell out with French toddler Emile Soleil's murder suspects 'commits suicide'

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Full Yemen attack plans discussed by Trump cabinet in leaked Signal group released in full

The Chancellor of Exchequer Rachel Reeves leaving 10 Downing Street

Spring Budget 2025 summary: What Rachel Reeves announced in today's speech

Duffy teased a remix of one of her most iconic songs as she made a return to social media

Singer Duffy seen for the first time in 10 years after horror kidnap ordeal

Rachel Reeves has announced £3.4billion in benefits cuts in her Spring Statement

Rachel Reeves admits UK growth forecast to be slashed in half as she announces £3.4bn in benefits cuts

Home Office UK Visas and Immigration sign on wall, Liverpool England,

Judge blocked paedophile’s deportation to Pakistan because he 'could be persecuted as an alcoholic'

Norwegian athlete Jakob Ingebrigtsen is pictured at the South Rogaland District Court during the criminal case against his father Gjert Arne Ingebrigtsen.

Olympic champion says he 'lived in fear' as dad 'would beat me until I was sick' in damning physical abuse case