‘A life well lived’: Exploring Kiefer Sutherland’s relationship with dad Donald Sutherland

MIAMI, FLORIDA: Following the death of legendary 'M*A*S*H' actor Donald Sutherland, his son Kiefer Sutherland paid tribute to him on the social media platform X. In his post, Kiefer reflected on his father’s well-lived life, emphasizing that he did what he loved.

The tweet has garnered over 26 million views, with 788,000 likes, 65,000 comments, and 10,000 saves.

For context, acclaimed actor Donald Sutherland, known for his role as the villainous President Snow in all four 'Hunger Games' films, died at the age of 88 on Thursday, June 20, in Miami, following a prolonged illness.

Kiefer Sutherland pays tribute to dad Donald Sutherland

As news of the actor's death spread across social media platforms, his son Kiefer's tweet paying a tribute to his late father drew significant attention from fans of Donald.

According to the tweet, Kiefer shared a throwback black-and-white picture from his childhood with his father.

 He tweeted, "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."

Relationship between Keifer Sutherland and Donald Sutherland

When Kiefer Sutherland was two years old, his father Donald recalled his son acting up. “He ran in circles and hit his head against the wall. I told him to stop, but he said he was just trying to make me laugh,” Donald shared.

Fast forward a few decades, and Kiefer, now 57, was still eager for his father’s approval. “I want to impress him. I want him to be proud of me,” the 24-time Emmy winner told the Radio Times in 2022.

Growing up, Kiefer knew his father was a movie star, but it wasn’t until later that he realized the 'Klute' and 'M*A*S*H' actor was a major player in the industry, as People reported.

“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,” he later said.

Donald Sutherland separated from his wife, Canadian actress Shirley Douglas, when Kiefer was around 4 years old.

Kiefer told the Radio Times in 2022 that the physical distance between him and his father affected their relationship. “Having grown up with my mother, there’s a kind of distance between us,” he said.

Despite this, the Sutherlands bonded over acting. Kiefer appeared in a small role in his father’s 1983 movie 'Max Dugan Returns'.

As a teenager, Kiefer decided to drop out of school and focus on acting full-time, landing the lead in the 1984 coming-of-age movie 'Bay Boy'.

The crew invited Donald to the set to watch his son at work, but he declined. “He thought this was my turn," Kiefer explained. "I earned the spot, so I should have the light."

Kiefer, who went on to star in the 1980s classics like 'The Lost Boys', 'Stand By Me', and 'Young Guns', was happy to claim the spotlight.

“There is inevitably always going to be a point when the younger lion wants to take on the older lion,” Kiefer recalled in 2016 about the father-son dynamic.

This playful sense of competition continued into Kiefer’s adulthood. “I have benefitted genetically from my father who has got one of the most awesome voices of all time,” Kiefer told in 2022.

“He was doing the voiceover for these Volvo commercials and getting paid a lot more money than I originally thought. So, as a joke, I told his agent that I could do a really good Donald Sutherland for half the money. I don’t think my father thought it was very funny, but I thought it was hysterical," he continued.

The father-son duo worked together in the 2016 film 'Western Forsaken', co-starring Demi Moore. Donald described it as a “terrific” experience and praised Kiefer as a “wonderful” actor.

The Sutherlands clearly had a deep affection for each other. “I love him, though I don’t get to see him as much as I’d like to,” Kiefer told the Radio Times while promoting 'Western Forsaken'.

“I’m so proud to have him as my father.”

Internet reacts as Keifer Sutherland pays tribute to dad Donald Sutherland

As Keifer paid tribute to his father, many social media users flocked to the comment section to share their views.

One user wrote, "Thank you so much for sharing him with us for so long. We all have our indelible memories from his amazing performances & we’re so lucky we can go back & visit with him whenever we need to I’m sending your family all of the love and light ❤️❤️❤️"

Another user added, "I loved your father in all his roles. We’ve lost a legend in losing Donald Sutherland. Peace and love to your family, Kiefer."

The third user said, "My heart is with you Kiefer. He was and will always be a beautiful man. May he rest in peace and love 🙏🏼"

The fourth added, "He was one of my favorites Kiefer. I loved you both in forsaken. He will be remembered forever as a legend. Donald sutherland was one of a kind. Rest in peace."

The last mentioned, "I loved him in Animal House, & so many roles…he was such a chameleon. An Actor’s Actor! My sincere condolences 💐 💔"

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