Donald Sutherland dies aged 88 after a long battle with illness

Donald Sutherland, the actor best known for his roles in Pride & Prejudice, M*A*S*H and The Hunger Games, has sadly died after battling an illness, aged 88.

The Canadian actor's film career spanned over seven decades, with his last role coming in Miranda's Victim, a 2023 period drama film.

Sutherland appeared in over 190 films and TV series throughout his career, and was the recipient of an Academy Honorary Award at the Oscars in 2017.

His most well-known role in the 21st century was as President Snow in the Hunger Games franchise. (Lionsgate)

He was the father of fellow actor Kiefer Sutherland, best known for his roles in Designated Survivor and 24.

Kiefer posted a heartfelt message to his late father on X, formerly Twitter.

It read: "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."

It is currently unclear what illness the 88-year-old was battling.

Donald also starred in three movies with his son Kiefer, in Max Dugan Returns, Forsaken, and A Time to Kill, where the pair played enemies in the 1996 thriller crime, which also starred Samuel L. Jackson, Matthew McConaughey and Sandra Bullock.

Donald Sutherland is best known for portraying antagonist President Snow in The Hunger Games, with the character recently having a prequel based around him with 2023 film, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.

In that film, Snow was portrayed by British actor Tom Blyth.

The actor was a Hollywood legend. (Nicolas Liponne/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Fans of the famed actor reacted to his death on X.

One fan wrote: "He brought us so much joy and happiness and was one of the best performers there was. We have lost a legend, but his work lives on."

Another wrote: "I loved Donald Sutherland. So sorry to hear this. Wherever he is I hope he's having a wonderful time."

Later in his career, Donald Sutherland won two Golden Globes for best supporting actor, both in TV movies.

1996 film Citizen X and 2003 film Path to War earned him the accolades in his later years.

Sutherland was also an anti-war activist, starring in 1972 film F.T.A., following a 1971 anti-Vietnam War road show for G.I.s, the FTA show, and shows stops in the likes of Hawaii, the Philippines, Okinawa and Japan.