Kiefer Sutherland says working with dad Donald was ‘something I have wanted to do’ in resurfaced interview before death
KIEFER Sutherland expressed the importance of sharing the screen with his legendary father in a heartbreaking resurfaced interview.
Donald Sutherland died at age 88 after a long battle with an illness in Miami, Florida, on June 20, 2024.
Kiefer, 57, co-starred with his late dad, Donald, in the 2015 Western epic The Forsaken.
The two played a father and son in the film, which made the project especially meaningful.
The two Sutherlands had appeared together in two previous films –Max Dugan Returns (1983) and A Time to Kill (1996)—but never shared a scene.
They finally got to do so in The Forsaken and even served as the poster for the movie.
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'TERRIFIC' EXPERIENCE
"Working with him is something I have wanted to do for 30 years," Kiefer told People in 2016 after the film was released.
The star of the TV series 24 also spoke about his father's influence on his acting career.
Since most of his father's films were rated R, Kiefer had to wait until he was 18 to see them.
The outlet shared that he sat down and watched as many as he could in one weekend - and it changed his life.
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"I remember feeling really bad as a son that I wasn't aware of not only how prolific my father was as an actor but what he had really contributed to the art of cinema," Kiefer said at the time.
Donald told the outlet that working with his son was a "terrific" experience and that Kiefer is a "wonderful actor."
The epic Western film also starred Brian Cox and Demi Moore.
Kiefer added that he became closer to his father later in life. They had a strained relationship growing up as Kiefer was raised by Donald's second wife and his mom, Shirley Douglass.
"There is inevitably always going to be a point when the younger lion wants to take on the older lion," Kiefer added.
"And then there is always going to be a point when the older lion is going to need the younger lion to help."
Donald is survived by his third wife, Francine Racette, and he had five children total.
His other children are Kiefer's twin sister Rachel, as well as Roeg, Rossif, and Angus.
Donald and Francine had the latter three children together, while Kiefer and his twin sister were from his second wife.
Donald was first married to Lois Hardwick from 1959 to 1966.
'A LIFE WELL LIVED'
The iconic film actor died in Miami, Florida, from an unspecific long illness, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Kiefer paid tribute to the star on X, formerly known as Twitter, shortly after, confirming his death.
"With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away," the actor wrote.
"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."
HOLLYWOOD ICON
Born on July 17, 1935, Donald shot to fame in 1967 in the war movie classic The Dirty Dozen and became one of Hollywood's most respected stars.
The Canadian-born actor enjoyed an illustrious career that saw him star in Hollywood blockbusters and an array of TV shows.
He achieved fame for his performances in M*A*S*H, Ordinary People, The Undoing, and The Hunger Games.
He was also renowned for classic horror and thriller films like Klute, 1978's Body Snatchers, and the Venice-set Don't Look Up.
Sutherland was one of the most recognized faces in Hollywood, appearing in over 140 movies.
Who is Donald Sutherland's son, Kiefer?
Iconic actor Donald Sutherland died on Thursday in Miami from an undisclosed illness. Sutherland, whose career in Hollywood spanned over seven decades, was 88.
Who is Donald Sutherland's son, Kiefer?
- Kiefer Sutherland was born on December 21, 1966, in the Paddington district of London.
- His parents, Donald Sutherland and Shirley Douglas, were successful Canadian actors.
- Like his parents, Kiefer has achieved great success in the film industry, including receiving an Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
- Kiefer's rise in Hollywood began in 1983 when he made his screen debut alongside his father in the comedy-drama film Max Dugan Returns.
- He moved to the United States, primarily to Hollywood, after his success as Donald Campbell in 1984's The Bad Boy.
- Throughout the 1990s, Kiefer appeared in over a dozen headlines and starred alongside household actors such as Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon, Dennis Hopper, Ray Liotta, Jack Nicholson, Jeff Bridges, Reese Witherspoon, and Sally Field, among others.
- He was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame and into Canada's Walk of Fame.
- Kiefer starred with his father in the 2015 film Forsaken opposite Demi Moore and Brian Cox.
- In addition to his widely successful acting career, Kiefer is also a musician and songwriter. He released his first album, Down in a Hole, in 2016.
- The Kiefer Sutherland Band toured in April and May of that year.
An Emmy and Golden Globe winner, Sutherland's versatility in acting was renowned in the business, landing roles as a romantic lead, a villain, an antihero, or a mentor figure.
His chameleon-like ability in front of the camera landed him in positions alongside the likes of Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, James Garner, Mark Wahlberg, Jason Statham, Jennifer Lawrence, and Gene Wilder, among others so many others.
Despite his work in critically acclaimed movies, Sutherland was never nominated for an Academy Award.
In 2017, he received an honorary Academy Award for his achievements.
His last project was the TV series Lawmen: Bass Reeves in 2023, and he had one pre-production project.
STARS REMEMBER DONALD
Actors and filmmakers have flooded social media remembering the fallen star.
Filmmaker Edgar Wright has paid tribute to Donald Sutherland on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"RIP the great Donald Sutherland, a favourite actor and always fascinating screen presence," the director wrote.
"He starred in two of my very favourite and most influential films - ‘Don’t Look Now’ and the 1978 ‘Invasion Of The Bodysnatchers’."
Edgar went on to name his favorite performances of Donald's, saying the actor had "a funny, laconic, but also intense and dramatic presence in so many memorable movies."
"I know many of you following me will feel the same way about this great screen legend’s passing, so please list your favourite Donald Sutherland films," he wrote.
"So sorry to see you go Donald, but what a legacy you leave behind."
Director Ron Howard wrote, "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."
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"RIP Donald Sutherland, 88," Piers wrote on X.
"One of my all-time favourite actors who played so many great roles. What a sad loss."
