Kiefer Sutherland Shares Poignant Tribute To Dad Donald After His Death At 88

Donald Sutherland passed away on Thursday at the age of 88 following a “long illness.”

His son, Kiefer Sutherland, confirmed the news on social media with a poignant tribute.

The 24 star shared a black and white photo of himself as a young boy alongside his father, accompanied by a heartfelt message honoring Donald.

He tweeted:

"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 than that."

"A life well lived."

Viewers of the post sent their condolences and agreed Donald was a national treasure.

Fellow actors Ben Stiller and Jeffrey Dean Morgan sent their love to Kiefer, as well.

And other celebrities shared their own heartfelt tributes.

Donald's M*A*S*H costar Elliot Gould wrote on Instagram:

"In 1970, Donald and I co-starred in Robert Altman‘s classic movie 'Mash.'"

"Donald was a giant, not only physically but as a talent. He was also enormously kind and generous."

"Donald and I both had sons that were born just a week apart. We were young fathers at the same time."

"It’s never easy, losing the caliber of a human being and actor like Donald Sutherland, but this one really profoundly hurts because Donald was like my brother, and a big part of my own career."

"My heart goes out to Francine, Kiefer, Rachel, Rossif, Angus, Roeg and the entire family at the loss of an original and great man."

"Rest in peace, you, dear, dear Kind friend. I love you and I will never forget you. @kiefersutherland"

Director Ron Howard took to X, formerly Twitter, to honor the late actor, writing:

"#RIPDonaldSutherland."

"I was blessed to direct him in #Backdraft."

"One of the most intelligent, interesting & engrossing film actors of all time."

"Incredible range, creative courage & dedication to serving the story & the audience with supreme excellence."

Comedian Dane Cook wrote on X:

"Donald Sutherland had the greatest voice on screen, his eyes could be deliciously sinister or heartbreakingly earnest."

"I felt like whenever he was onscreen he was dancing without movement whatsoever."

"Condolences to his family. What a rare and exciting life he had all the way to 88."

Piers Morgan also shared his tribute on X.

"RIP Donald Sutherland, 88."

"One of my all-time favourite actors who played so many great roles."

"What a sad loss."

Tom Blyth, who played a younger version of Donald as President Snow in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, shared his tribute on Instagram.

"Donald Sutherland came about as close to mastering the craft of acting as anyone gets."

"So many genius performances."

"I never had the honor of knowing him personally, but it was the honor of a lifetime to follow in his footsteps."

"Thank you sir for birthing one of the great movie characters of all time."

Jane Fonda also shared her heartbreak on Instagram.

"I am stunned to hear that Donald Sutherland has died."

"He was my fascinating co-star in Klute and we loved working together. In this photo we are on the Klute set with director Alan Pakula."

"Donald was a brilliant actor and a complex man who shared quite a few adventures with me, such as the FTA Show, an anti-Vietnam war tour that performed for 60,000 active duty soldiers, sailors, and marines in Hawaii, Okinawa, the Philippines, and Japan in 1971."

"I am heartbroken"

Under a post by Variety, Kim Cattrall wrote:

"Such sad news! Was always a favorite."

"Was always wonderful. Broke your heart in ‘Ordinary People’ RIPx"

@variety/Instagram

Donald's career took off after he starred in The Dirty Dozen in 1967. Three years later, he joined the cast of M*A*S*H, and his legacy only continued to grow from there.

The Emmy winner went on to star in the 1970 Oscar-nominated film Hawkeye, as well as Klute, Path to War, Pride and Prejudice and The Hunger Games, to name just a few.

Donald is survived by his wife Francine Racette and sons Kiefer, 57, Roeg, 50, Rossif, 45, Angus, 41, and daughter Rachel, 57.