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Donald Sutherland was an incredible actor who made it all look easy. Often, he seemed to move through movie roles with very moderate action or inflection. Other characters around him seemed to have the loud, flamboyant, attention-getting characterizations. Sutherland never came across as “acting” when you saw him onscreen.

The first time I recall seeing Sutherland was in the film MASH. The story begins with him arriving at the camp and ends with him leaving. While he’s the spine of the film, it does not revolve around him, unlike the television series. Sutherland did not need to draw attention to himself to be noticed in a scene. That is one of the reasons he was so good and in demand.

Sutherland made some terrific films after MASH after spending the 1960s working mainly in television and supporting roles in minor films. The Dirty Dozen (1967) was a huge role for him as his career was about to take a great leap forward. If you look at imdb.com, Sutherland was credited with 200 acting roles in his career. While he had a number of lead or starring roles, he often appeared as part of an ensemble or shared the lead with another strong actor. Klute, Don’t Look Now, Ordinary People, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Day of the Locust and The Great Train Robbery are examples of how he selected his films. Sutherland was an A list actor who didn’t seem to consider himself a star.

In 1978, Sutherland took a supporting role in Animal House. His performance and his backside are memorable in this small but funny role. He chose to take a salary instead of a percentage of the profits, a move he came to regret with the film’s mega success.

I must admit, I have not seen all 200 of his acting roles. Here are my favorite 10.

MASH

The original Hawkeye Pierce.

Don’t Look Now

One of the scariest films I have ever seen, the ending still give me chills.

Animal House

How many hip professors shagged a student? My guess is a lot.

Kelly’s Heroes

The first hippy tank leader. Far out.

Eye of the Needle

He is menacing without being outward threatening.

JFK

Playing the mysterious X in Oliver Stone’s conspiracy film, Sutherland goes deep in secrets and governmental involvement as he lays out the assassination of the president.

Klute

One of his best muted roles, there is a lot going on inside of his repressed character. Jane Fonda has her way with him.

Outbreak

Willing to sacrifice his own people, a general who only knows black and white.

Space Cowboys

Re-teaming with Clint Eastwood, Sutherland plays a rather randy astronaut.

Ad Astra

Playing another type of astronaut in this space thriller. He knows that his time has passed.