Donald Sutherland, the tall and lean Canadian actor, who became a countercultural icon with films like “The Dirty Dozen,” “MASH,” “Klute,” and “Don’t Look Now,” died Thursday in Miami after a long illness, confirmed by CAA. He was 88.
Over a career spanning half a century, Sutherland played villains, antiheroes, romantic leads, and mentor figures. His profile rose recently with his role as President Snow in “The Hunger Games.”
In recent years, he appeared as Judge Parker in “Lawmen: Bass Reeves” and in “Swimming With Sharks” in 2022. His other roles included appearances in “Undoing,” “Trust,” “Ad Astra,” and “The Burnt-Orange Heresy.”
Sutherland won an Emmy for HBO’s “Citizen X” in 1995 and was nominated for “Human Trafficking” in 2006. He described his early career as “meandering,” with roles in low-budget horror films like 1963’s “Castle of the Living Dead.”
In 1967, he gained recognition with a part in “The Dirty Dozen.”
Originally, he had one line until Clint Walker refused a scene. Director Robert Aldrich chose Sutherland, saying, “You! With the big ears! You do it!”
The role fit Sutherland perfectly, catching the eye of producer Ingo Preminger, who cast him as Capt. “Hawkeye” Pierce in 1970’s hit “MASH.” Sutherland and Elliott Gould, who played Capt. “Trapper” John, struggled with director Robert Altman’s improvisational style. Altman tried to fire Sutherland, but Preminger intervened.
In a 1976 Playboy interview, Altman praised Sutherland, saying, “His improvisation was profound. He’s a hell of an actor.” Sutherland and Gould reunited for 1971’s “Little Murders” and 1974’s “SPYS.”
In 1970’s “Kelly’s Heroes,” Sutherland played Sgt. Oddball, a hippie tank commander, alongside Clint Eastwood. He and Eastwood worked together again in 2000’s “Space Cowboys.”
With 1971’s “Klute,” Sutherland became a credible romantic lead. He played a detective protecting a call girl, co-starring with Jane Fonda. Fonda credited Sutherland for her Oscar-winning performance, citing intense feelings from their love affair.
Their relationship fueled Sutherland’s antiwar activism. He joined Vietnam Veterans Against the War and, with Fonda, toured with the revue FTA. The Pentagon tried to keep troops away, and the FBI put them under surveillance.
In 1973’s “Don’t Look Now,” Sutherland’s pared-down style highlighted Julie Christie’s performance.
They played a grieving couple in Venice, with a controversial explicit sex scene edited in a fragmented style. The scene remains one of the most memorable in film history.
At his peak, Sutherland made eccentric choices, turning down “Deliverance” for “Alex in Wonderland” and starring in “Steelyard Blues” and “Johnny Got His Gun,” which flopped. His role in “Day of the Locust” received mixed reviews. He starred in 1976’s “Fellini’s Casanova” and 1977’s “1900.”
In 1978’s “National Lampoon’s Animal House,” Sutherland played a professor having an affair with a student. He took a small upfront fee instead of a percentage, a choice that cost him millions.
Donald Sutherland’s career was marked by versatile roles and bold choices. He remained an influential figure in cinema, leaving a legacy of memorable performances.