Donald Sutherland’s final public appearance before his death

Donald Sutherland took a step back from the public eye towards the end of his life, with his last public appearance three years before his death.

Donald Sutherland took a step back from the public eye towards the end of his life, with his last public appearance being three years before his death.

The Hunger Games star popped up at the 26th Annual Critics Choice Awards in March 2021, where he won the award for best supporting actor in a limited series for his work in The Undoing.

However, due to the Covid pandemic, the event was done remotely and each actor had to tune in from their home.

Donald Sutherland was last seen when he appeared at the Critics Choice Awards in 2021 via video link due to the Covid pandemic. Picture: Getty

Despite that, Sutherland dressed up for the virtual event in a full black tuxedo with a bow tie.

His white hair was nearly shoulder-length and he sported a well-manicured moustache for the big night.

The star won Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television Award for his work in The Undoing. Picture: Getty

Before that, Sutherland hadn’t been photographed since October 2019 when he taught a masterclass at the Festival Lumière in Lyon, France.

It was announced today that the M*A*S*H star died at the age of 88 after a long battle with an unknown illness.

The actor's career spanned six decades during which he earned an Emmy Award, two Golden Globe Awards and an honorary Oscar. Picture: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

“With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away,” his son Kiefer Sutherland wrote on X. “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,” the 57-year-old continued. “A life well lived.”

The Designated Survivor star also shared a throwback photo of him and his father from when he was a little boy.

Kiefer Sutherland hugs his father after being honoured with the 2377th Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008. Picture: Gabriel BOUYS / AFP

In the black-and-white photo, the father-son duo looked into the camera as Donald rested his chin on the little one’s shoulder.

Along with Kiefer, the Hollywood icon was also dad to 57-year-old daughter Rachel with his ex-wife Shirley Douglas. The exes were married for four years before they split in 1970.

Donald married wife Francine Racette two years after his divorce from Douglas. The couple share sons Roeg, 50, Rossif, 45, and Angus, 41.

Throughout his 60-year career, the Ordinary People actor starred in over 140 movies.

This article originally appeared in Page Six and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Donald Sutherland’s final public appearance before his death