Donald Sutherland’s Backdraft co-star William Baldwin shares sweet tribute following his passing at 88: ‘He was a true original’
William Baldwin reflects on the life and career of a Hollywood original, Donald Sutherland, following his death on Thursday, June 20, after a long illness at the age of 88.
Of the more than 200 film and television roles on his resume, Baldwin collaborated with the late actor on three productions, including the action drama Backdraft (1991), the science fiction thriller Virus (1999) and the ABC drama series Dirty. Sexy Money (2007-2009).
After playing his on-screen son Patrick Darling IV for two seasons on Dirty Sexy Money, Baldwin said it turned out to be “by far my favorite” of the three.
“Donald was a complex, complicated and idiosyncratic man in the most delightful way,” he said in the statement about X. “He had a gentle, childish boyish character about him that I absolutely adored. His on-screen personality and his life personality were as interesting and original as the features on his face.”
‘He was a true original. One of a kind,” Baldwin continued. ‘I’ve never known anyone like him. His many incredible qualities and somehow even his flaws made him more unique, more charming… more likeable.”
William Baldwin, 61, shared a heartfelt tribute to the late actor Donald Sutherland following his death at the age of 88 on Thursday, June 20
Baldwin then told a story about how Sutherland’s love and passion for his craft shone through until the end.
It happened shortly after a table read for Dirty Sexy Money, when Sutherland had a big smile on his face and “a bounce in his step.”
‘[He] said to me… “Look here… read this.” He then handed me his script and I read a scene with a lot of snappy, brilliant dialogue,” the Forgetting Sarah Marshall star explained. ‘He said to me… “Can you believe that? Can you believe I can say that… how wonderful.” It was so sweet and exciting for me to see how excited he still was about work [then] at the age of 73.’
Baldwin then talked about an intimate moment he shared with his friend and colleague that has since left a lasting impact on him.
“We became so close during our two seasons together that he once said to me, ‘I have affection for you as if you were one of my sons.’ That meant the world to me and I will never forget that,” he revealed.
Sutherland is survived by five children, including his 24-year-old and Designated Survivor actor son Kiefer Sutherland, who took to his Instagram page to share the sad news of his father’s death.
“It is with a heavy heart that I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away,” the 57-year-old wrote, with clear emotion accompanying his words. ‘Personally, I think he is one of the most important actors in film history. Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and you can never ask for more than that. A life well lived.’
Along with his five children, Sutherland is also survived by his wife and actress Francine Racette, whom he married in 1972, and five grandchildren.
Baldwin revealed that he had “the honor and pleasure of working with Donald Sutherland three times” during his career, including the action drama Backdraft (1991), the science fiction thriller Virus (1999), and the ABC drama series Dirty Sexy Money (2007– 2009)
After playing his on-screen son Patrick Darling IV for two seasons on ABC’s Dirty Sexy Money, Baldwin said it turned out to be “by far my favorite” of the three productions he starred in with Sutherland; depicted in scene are William Baldwin, Natalie Zea, Glenn FItzgerald, Peter Krause, Zoe McLellan, Donald Sutherland, Jill Clayburgh
Sutherland , who died in Miami after a lengthy illness, is survived by his wife and five children, including son Keifer, and five grandchildren; he and Keifer are seen in 2006
Keifer Sutherland described his father as someone who “loved what he did and did what he loved,” in his Instagram tribute
The native of Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, married three times during his lifetime, including to former child actress Lois Hardwick (1959-1966), as well as actress Shirley Douglas (1966-1970).
Spanning a career spanning more than 60 years, Sutherland made his professional acting debut on television in the BBC drama anthology series Studio 4 (1962), and on film in the British drama The World Ten Times Over (1962).
His many great performances include The Dirty Dozen (1967), M*A*S*H (1970), Kelly’s Heroes (1970), Klute (1971), Don’t Look Now (1973), Fellini’s Casanova (1976), 1900 (1976), The Eagle Has Landed (1976), Animal House (1978), Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1978), The First Great Train Robbery (1978), Ordinary People (1980), Eye Of The Needle (1981).
Sutherland was immortalized when he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame on January 26, 2011 in Hollywood, California.
He later starred in many other films in which he appeared in leading or supporting roles, such as A Dry White Season (1989), JFK (1991), Outbreak (1995), A Time To Kill (1998), Without Limits (1998). 1998), Space Cowboys (2000), Big Shot’s Funeral (2001), The Italian Job (2003), Cold Mountain (2003), Pride & Prejudice (2005), Aurora Borealis (2006) and The Hunger Games (2012-2015) .
Sutherland was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame on January 26, 2011 in Hollywood, California.
And while he received many accolades throughout his career, Sutherland has been cited as one of the greatest actors never to receive an Academy Award nomination, although he did receive an Honorary Academy Award in 2017.
“There will never be another Donald Sutherland…ever,” Baldwin declared. “We have lost a true acting master and a quirky, unique one who never met anyone like him before the original film. … He will be greatly missed.”