Legendary American actorDonald Sutherlandhas died at the age of 88, casting a sad mood across Hollywood and in the hearts of cinephiles everywhere. The actor had recently completed his first book, a memoir that will undoubtedly become treasured by his fans and film lovers in general. The book, titledMade Up, But Still True, is set to be published Jul 16, 2025. The actor passed away in Miami. Sutherland had fought illness for most of his life. As he toldThe L.A. Timesin 1989:
Polio, rheumatic fever, hepatitis, an appendectomy, pneumonia, scarlet fever.
“And spinal meningitis,” the actor said. “I died. . . . “
A reporter chuckled. Sutherland looked perturbed.
“Yes. I died. For four or five seconds,” he said.
Related:Donald Sutherland’s Best Movies, Ranked
Donald Sutherland’s career ran concurrent with the changes across Hollywood and film itself. He began his film career in some ofthe greatest war movies of all time—The Dirty Dozen(1967),MASH(1970),Kelly’s Heroes(1970), andJohnny Got His Gun(1971). This coincided with his growing passion in politics and involvement in anti-war protests, exacerbated after meeting Jane Fonda in her Oscar-winning movieKlute(1971). The two would begin a romantic relationship and life-long friendship, and made the protest filmF.T.A.(“fck the army”) in 1972, based on their traveling performances.
The 20 Best Actors Never Nominated for an Oscar
These are among the most talented actors of their respective generations despite never being nominated at the Academy Awards.
Donald Sutherland’s Diverse Career and Talented Children Kiefer, Rossif, and More
Sutherland went on to have an extremely diverse career, starring in some of the greatest movies of all time (Don’t Look Now, Ordinary People, JFK, Invasion of the Body Snatchers) and some of the most popular (The Hunger Gamesfranchise,Horrible Bosses, National Lampoon’s Animal House). It’s a travesty that he was never nominated for an Oscar, though they rectified that with an Honorary Academy Award given to him in 2017; he had also been nominated for nine Golden Globe Awards.
His final films were theStephen King dramaMr. Harrigan’s Phoneand the star-studdedhistorical legal drama,Miranda’s Victim. Sutherland had mostly been working on his memoir, which will surely be a lasting document of the artist’s life. The book’s publisher, Crown, announced the release date in March of this year, saying:
“Donald Sutherland has made an indelible mark on the industry since his life-changing role in M.A.S.H catapulted him into the public eye nearly sixty years ago. With his raw honesty and wicked sense of humor, the renowned actor chronicles his life in this generation-defining book, cataloging with powerful detail his far too many brushes with death, his loving relationship with his parents, and behind-the-scenes stories of the movies he’s starred in.”
Donald Sutherland leaves behind an extremely talented family of performers, including granddaughter Sarah Sutherland (Catherine Meyer ofVeep) and sons Rossif (Orphan: First Kill, Possessor) and Kiefer Sutherland (24, A Few Good Men). you may pre-order Donald Sutherland’s book below:
