Donald Sutherland, the towering Canadian actor, has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema. With a career spanning over five decades, he has appeared in almost 200 different shows and films, cementing his status as a legendary figure in the industry.
Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, to Dorothy Isobel (McNichol) and Frederick McLea Sutherland, who worked in sales and electricity, Donald Sutherland was the son of Scottish, German, and English ancestry. He graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in engineering, but ultimately chose to pursue a career in drama instead.
Sutherland's early roles were bit parts, including appearances in films such as Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (1965) and TV shows like "The Saint" and "Court Martial". However, his big break came with the war film The Dirty Dozen (1967),where he played the role of Vernon Pinkley.
The film's success led to more prominent roles, including the starring role in M*A*S*H (1970) alongside Elliott Gould and Tom Skerritt. This classic film solidified Sutherland's status as a leading man and marked the beginning of a long and illustrious career.
Throughout the 1970s, Sutherland appeared in a wide range of films, including Kelly's Heroes (1970),Klute (1971),Lady Ice (1973),and Alien Thunder (1974). He also took on the role of a murderous fascist leader in the Bernardo Bertolucci film 1900 (1976),which earned him critical acclaim.
The 1980s saw Sutherland appear in a number of notable films, including Ordinary People (1980),Eye of the Needle (1981),and Revolution (1985). He also starred alongside Al Pacino in the commercial and critical disaster that was Revolution.
In the 1990s, Sutherland appeared in a number of films, including JFK (1991),Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992),Shadow of the Wolf (1992),and Disclosure (1994).
The new millennium saw Sutherland reunite with former collaborators like Clint Eastwood and Tommy Lee Jones, and he appeared in films like Space Cowboys (2000),Cold Mountain (2003),and The Italian Job (2003). He also made a memorable appearance as a judge in Reign Over Me (2007) and as a revolutionist in Land of the Blind (2006).
Throughout his career, Sutherland has been recognized for his contributions to the film industry, including a lifetime achievement award from the Canadian Academy of Cinema and Television. He has also been honored with a star on Canada's Walk of Fame.
Donald Sutherland's legacy is one of dedication, passion, and a commitment to his craft. With a career spanning over five decades, he has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema, and his contributions will be remembered for generations to come.
