Donald Sutherland has left us at the age of 88. A few words on the passing of a giant of cinema.
It’s always a bit of a conundrum on a site like this over how to mark the passing of someone. I’m not entirely comfortable getting clicks from the loss of someone, but also, I want to pay respects as well. And on balance, I think the latter wins out here.
As you more than likely already know, the world lost Donald Sutherland. The announcement came from his son, Kiefer Sutherland, who posted the following on his social media account,
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… pic.twitter.com/3EdJB03KKT
— Kiefer Sutherland (@RealKiefer) June 20, 2024
I don’t think anyone can argue with the assertion that Donald Sutherland’s legacy is extraordinary, indeed one of cinema’s most important actors. He’d completed his memoir before his passing, and Made Up, But Still True will now be released posthumously, in November.
Oddly enough, I was rewatching JFK just the other week, and his astonishing performance in a single, prolonged scene at the heart of that is one of many Donald Sutherland roles that’s going to live long in the memory. He tackled genre fare with as much relish as he did more conventional movies, and has left behind seven decades of work for many more generations to enjoy.
Our thoughts are with Donald Sutherland’s friends and family at this time of course, and I’d imagine that many people will be digging out one of the great man’s films over the coming weekend. Let us know what you’re going to watch. I might plump for Klute again. Bloody love that film.
Rest in peace, Mr Sutherland.
