Donald Sutherland, eclectic actor notably known for “The Bastard Twelve” or his role as dictator in “Hunger Games”, has died at the age of 88, his son Kiefer Sutherland announced Thursday.
Keystone
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the death of my father,” the Canadian-British, also an actor, announced on X, saluting “one of the most important actors in the history of cinema” .
In more than 50 years of career and some 200 films, Donald Sutherland has established himself as a chameleon actor, capable of playing great cinema villains, antiheroes or romantic characters. The Canadian received an honorary Oscar for his entire career in 2017.
“He was never intimidated by a role, whether good, bad or ugly,” his son added. “He loved what he did and did what he loved, and you couldn’t ask for anything more. A life well lived.”
His first major role in 1967
After having played in cult British series like “Bowler Hat and Leather Boots”, Donald Sutherland obtained his first major role in 1967 in “The Bastard Twelve”, with Charles Bronson.
His slender silhouette, his absent air and his enigmatic smiles ensure his charisma and singularity. Other successes included the antimilitarist farce “MASH” (1970) and the thriller “Klute” (1971) in which he played a private detective in search of a perverse killer who threatens a call girl played by Jane Fonda .
More recently, he distinguished himself as President Coriolanus Snow, the cruel dictator of Panem, tormentor of Jennifer Lawrence in “The Hunger Games”.
