The family of Donald Sutherland has been "overwhelmed" by tributes to the late Canadian actor.
Sutherland, known for his impressive catalogue of almost 200 films, starred in The Dirty Dozen, M*A*S*H, Klute, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Ordinary People, JFK, and The Hunger Games franchise.
He died at the age of 88 on Thursday in Miami following a long illness.
His son, 24 star Kiefer Sutherland, was among those who hailed Sutherland as "one of the most important actors in the history of film".
On Friday, Kiefer Sutherland wrote on social media: "My family and I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of condolences and support over the last 24 hours. Thank you very much."
My family and I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of condolences and support over the last 24 hours. Thank you very much. pic.twitter.com/vKwCCdenPu
— Kiefer Sutherland (@RealKiefer) June 21, 2024
US President Joe Biden called Donald Sutherland a "one-of-a-kind actor who inspired and entertained the world for decades".
Tributes also came in from former co-stars Will Smith, Jane Fonda, and Helen Mirren as well as political leaders such as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Polish leader Donald Tusk.
Sutherland's M*A*S*H co-star Elliott Gould called him a "giant" of acting who was "enormously kind and generous".
Fonda, who won the Oscar for Best Actress after starring opposite Sutherland in the 1971 thriller Klute, said she was "heartbroken".
During his esteemed career, Sutherland won a Golden Globe for the TV movie Path to War for playing presidential adviser Clark Clifford, and a second for the miniseries Citizen X, which also earned him an Emmy Award.
In 2017, Sutherland received an Honorary Academy Award for his acting but was never nominated for an Oscar during his lengthy career.
He is survived by his wife Francine Racette, sons Roeg, Rossif, Angus, and Kiefer, daughter Rachel, and four grandchildren.
Source: Press Association
