History of Donald Sutherland in Timeline
Donald Sutherland was a highly acclaimed Canadian actor whose career spanned six decades. He won an Emmy and two Golden Globes and was nominated for a BAFTA. Despite never receiving an Academy Award nomination for a specific role, he was awarded an Honorary Academy Award in 2017. Beyond acting, Sutherland was a vocal anti-war activist, particularly during the Vietnam War.
1900: 1900
In 1900, Donald Sutherland played a fascist role after declining roles in Deliverance and Straw Dogs.
1959: Marriage to Lois May Hardwick
In 1959, Donald Sutherland married Lois May Hardwick, a head school teacher.
1966: Marriage to Shirley Douglas
In 1966, Donald Sutherland married Shirley Douglas, daughter of Tommy Douglas.
1970: M*A*S*H
In 1970, Donald Sutherland starred in the film M*A*S*H as Hawkeye Pierce, which served as the inspiration for the last name of the Marvel Comics character Donald Pierce.
1970: Coolest Movie Star
In 1970, Donald Sutherland was considered the "coolest movie star on the planet" after his role in MASH. His passing was marked by tributes emphasizing his unique and irreplaceable status in the film industry.
1970: Affair with Jane Fonda, marriage ends
In 1970, Donald Sutherland's marriage to Shirley Douglas ended and he began an affair with Jane Fonda.
1971: NSA Watchlist
From 1971, Donald Sutherland was placed on the National Security Agency watchlist due to his anti-war activities. He also began the Free Theatre Associates tour with Jane Fonda.
1971: FTA Show Anti-War Tour
In 1971, Donald Sutherland worked with Jane Fonda on the FTA Show, an anti-Vietnam war tour that performed for active-duty soldiers. Fonda noted that Sutherland was a brilliant actor and complex man who shared quite a few adventures with her.
1972: Affair with Jane Fonda
In 1972, Donald Sutherland was having an affair with Jane Fonda, with whom he participated in anti-Vietnam war activism.
1973: NSA Watchlist
In 1973, Donald Sutherland was on the National Security Agency watchlist because of his anti-war activities.
1977: Residence in Georgeville
Since 1977, Donald Sutherland maintained a residence in Georgeville, Quebec, which he considered his "emotional home."
December 1978: Officer of the Order of Canada
On December 22, 1978, Donald Sutherland was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.
March 2000: Canada's Walk of Fame Induction
In March 2000, Donald Sutherland was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.
2000: Space Cowboys
In 2000, Donald Sutherland played an astronaut in the movie Space Cowboys, alongside Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, and James Garner. He was also the model for Chris Claremont and John Byrne's Marvel Comics character, Donald Pierce.
2001: Uprising
In 2001, Donald Sutherland starred as Adam Czerniaków in the NBC miniseries Uprising.
2002: Path to War
In 2002, Donald Sutherland starred as Clark Clifford in the HBO film Path to War, earning him a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film.
2003: Cold Mountain, Baltic Storm, The Italian Job
In 2003, Donald Sutherland played Reverend Monroe in Cold Mountain, Lou Aldryn in Baltic Storm, and John Bridger in The Italian Job.
2005: Pride & Prejudice, Human Trafficking
In 2005, Donald Sutherland played Mr. Bennet in Pride & Prejudice and starred in the miniseries Human Trafficking, receiving a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his performance in the latter.
2005: Commander in Chief, Fierce People
In 2005, Donald Sutherland starred as Nathan Templeton in the TV series Commander in Chief and as Ogden C. Osbourne in the film Fierce People.
2006: Commander in Chief
In 2006, Donald Sutherland continued his role as Nathan Templeton in the TV series Commander in Chief.
2007: Reign Over Me
In 2007, Donald Sutherland played a minor role in the movie Reign Over Me.
2008: Huffington Post Blogger
In 2008, Donald Sutherland became a blogger for The Huffington Post during the United States presidential election campaign, expressing his support for Barack Obama.
2008: Dirty Sexy Money, Fool's Gold
In 2008, Donald Sutherland starred as Tripp Darling in the TV series Dirty Sexy Money and played Nigel Honeycut in the film Fool's Gold. He also did voice-over work for Delta Air Lines, Volvo automobiles, and Simply Orange orange juice commercials.
2009: Eurovision Song Contest
In 2009, Donald Sutherland provided voice-overs and narration during the intro of the first semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest.
2009: The Leisure Seeker
In 2017, Donald Sutherland starred in the comedy-drama The Leisure Seeker, based on the 2009 novel of the same name by Michael Zadoorian, alongside Helen Mirren, premiering at the Venice International Film Festival. He also had a supporting role in the romantic comedy Basmati Blues.
2010: Winter Olympics, The Pillars of the Earth
In 2010, Donald Sutherland narrated the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver and starred in the TV adaptation of Ken Follett's novel The Pillars of the Earth.
2011: The Mechanic, The Eagle, Horrible Bosses, Moby-Dick
In 2011, Donald Sutherland acted in several films including The Mechanic, The Eagle, and the comedy Horrible Bosses. He also played a priest in the miniseries adaptation of Herman Melville's novel Moby-Dick.
March 2012: Declined Roles in Deliverance and Straw Dogs
In March 2012, Donald Sutherland mentioned on the Opie and Anthony radio show that he had been offered lead roles in Deliverance and Straw Dogs but declined them due to their violent content.
2012: The Hunger Games, Treasure Island
In 2012, Donald Sutherland began portraying President Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games film franchise and played Captain Flint in the British series Treasure Island.
2012: Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
In 2012, Donald Sutherland received the Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
June 2013: Crossing Lines Premiere
In June 2013, Donald Sutherland appeared in the European police procedural Crossing Lines, which premiered on the US NBC network, playing Michel Dorn.
2013: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
In 2013, Donald Sutherland continued his role as President Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
2014: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
In 2014, Donald Sutherland continued his role as President Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1.
2015: Crossing Lines
From 2013 to 2015, Donald Sutherland starred in all episodes of Crossing Lines, playing Michel Dorn.
2015: Voting Rights Complaint
In 2015, Donald Sutherland complained that he was not allowed to vote because he was an expatriate for over five years, despite being proud to be Canadian and an officer in the Order of Canada.
2015: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2
In 2015, Donald Sutherland continued his role as President Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2.
2016: Cannes Film Festival Jury Member
In 2016, Donald Sutherland served as a member of the main competition jury of the Cannes Film Festival.
September 2017: Honorary Oscar
On September 6, 2017, it was announced that Donald Sutherland would receive an Honorary Oscar from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for a lifetime of indelible characters. The award was presented at the 90th Academy Awards ceremony.
2017: Declassified NSA Watchlist
In 2017, documents were declassified revealing that Donald Sutherland was on the National Security Agency watchlist between 1971 and 1973.
2017: Academy Honorary Award
In 2017, during the 90th Academy Awards, Donald Sutherland was given the Academy Honorary Award, despite never having been nominated for an Academy Award throughout his career.
2018: Trust
In 2018, Donald Sutherland portrayed J. Paul Getty in the FX historical drama series Trust.
2019: Companion of the Order of Canada
In 2019, Donald Sutherland was awarded the Companion of the Order of Canada.
2019: Expats Voting Rights
In 2019, The Supreme Court of Canada allowed expats to vote in national elections.
2020: The Undoing
In 2020, Donald Sutherland appeared in the HBO limited series The Undoing, receiving the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Movie/Miniseries for his performance.
2022: Mr. Harrigan's Phone
In 2022, Donald Sutherland took the role of Mr. Harrigan in the Netflix film Mr. Harrigan's Phone, based on the novella from Stephen King's book If It Bleeds.
2023: Canada Post Stamp
In 2023, Canada Post issued a stamp in Donald Sutherland's honour, commemorating his career.
2023: Lawmen: Bass Reeves
In 2023, Donald Sutherland played Isaac C. Parker in the series Lawmen: Bass Reeves on Paramount+.
2023: Legacy Reflections
In 2023, Donald Sutherland told The Canadian Press that he hadn't spent much time reflecting on the legacy of his career and The City of Saint John opened a condolence book signing to the public.
June 2024: Death
On June 20, 2024, Donald Sutherland died at the age of 88 under hospice care at the University of Miami hospital from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. His death was announced by his son, Kiefer Sutherland. Tributes were paid by numerous figures, including Justin Trudeau and Joe Biden, and his remains were cremated following a funeral in Miami.
November 2024: Publication of Memoir
Viking Canada is set to publish Donald Sutherland's memoir, Made Up, But Still True, in November 2024.
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