Donald Sutherland, the celebrated Canadian actor whose career spanned more than five decades and encompassed an extraordinary range of characters in film and television, died on Thursday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 88.

His death was confirmed by his son, actor Kiefer Sutherland. No cause was specified.

Donald Sutherland, 1935–2024. Photo WikiCommons

Sutherland’s lanky frame, piercing blue eyes, and distinctively raspy voice made him a compelling presence on screen. His versatility and dedication to his craft earned him a place among the most respected actors of his generation.

Born on 17 July, 1935, in Saint John, New Brunswick, Sutherland studied at Victoria College, University of Toronto, and later at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Sutherland’s breakthrough role came in 1970 with Robert Altman’s anti-war satire M*A*S*H, in which he portrayed the sardonic army surgeon Hawkeye Pierce. The film’s success catapulted him to stardom and led to a string of notable performances in the 1970s, including roles in Klute (1971), Don’t Look Now (1973) and the remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978).

His ability to immerse himself in a wide array of characters was evident in the...