Kiefer Sutherland's sweet tribute to late father Donald leaves people emotional over 'a life well lived'

Kiefer Sutherland has paid a moving tribute to his father, actor Donald Sutherland, who has died at the age of 88.

In a moving post on X (formally Twitter), Kiefer announced his father's passing and paid tribute to his life, calling it 'a life well lived'.

The post 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."

Kiefer has been joined by many distinguished names in the acting profession paying tribute to his late father.

Helen Mirren was among the many people who have spoken in memory of Sutherland, saying: "He had a wonderful enquiring brain, and a great knowledge on a wide variety of subjects."

Mirren added that Sutherland "combined this great intelligence with a deep sensitivity"

"This all made him into the legend of film that he became. He was my colleague and became my friend. I will miss his presence in this world."

Guardian film critic Peter Bradshaw described Sutherland as an 'aristocrat of screen actors'.

Video also shows a bunch of red roses placed on Sutherland's star on the Hollywood walk of fame.

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… pic.twitter.com/3EdJB03KKT

— Kiefer Sutherland (@RealKiefer) June 20, 2024

Sutherland is best known to younger audiences as the menacing President Snow in the Hunger Games series, the authoritarian antagonist to Jennifer Lawrence's revolutionary Katniss Everdeen.

The actor also starred in military comedy M*A*S*H*, and won an Emmy for his performance in Citizen X.

Many people were left touched by Kiefer's emotional tribute to his late father.

One wrote: "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."

Another commented: "Thank you for sharing him with us, Kiefer. We all benefited from the talent and love he put into his work."

And a third posted: "One of those cases where a son calling his father “one of the most important actors in the history of film” isn’t some post-mortem hyperbole but is actually just an accurate description of his father’s life and career, because he really was that amazing."

Sutherland was born on July 17 1935 in Saint John, New Brunswick. He died in Miami on June 20 2024, following 'a long illness'.