Summary
Stephen King pays tribute to late actor Donald Sutherland who starred in a 2022 adaptation of the author’s horror dramaMr Harrigan’s Phone. One of the most acclaimed and talented actors of his generation, Sutherland’s titular role in King’s Netflix drama is just one of the numerous roles that he played over the course of an illustrious career which spanned decades. It was recently announced thatSutherland had passed awayat the age of 88.
Now, after the news of Sutherland’s passing,numerous actors, friends and well-wishers have shared tributes to the veteran actor, includingStephen King, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to honor his legacy.
The 76-year-old author replied to a post honoring Sutherland, calling him a “great actor” and stating that he did a fine job as Mr Harrigan onMr Harrigan’s Phone.
Donald Sutherland Leaves Behind A Great Legacy
He has numerous notable roles since the 1960s
There are only a handful of actors, both past and present, that can boast the kind of distinguished career and acting talent that Sutherland possessed. While the Canadian actor kicked off his career in the early 1960s, appearing in bit-part roles in various television shows, it wasn’t until 1970 when he appeared asHawkeye Pierce inMAS*Hand Oddball in Brian Hutton’sKelly’s Heroesthat he truly established himself as a star in the making.
After his captivating performances in the above movies,Sutherland went on to star in a plethora of roles from the late 1970s down to the early 2000s that made him a familiar face. Some of his most notable roles during this time include Professor Dave Jennings inAnimal House, Mr. X inJFK, Captain Jerry O’Neill inSpace Cowboys,and John Bridger in the 2003 remake ofThe Italian Job. Sutherland’s impressive career continued even down to the 2010s, most notably playing President Coriolanus Snow in the famousThe Hunger Gamesseries.
Donald Sutherland’s 10 Best Movies, Ranked
Donald Sutherland is a prolific actor whose influence and abilities have inspired countless filmmakers and up-and-coming actors through his movies.
Up until recently, Sutherland still starred in a couple of TV shows and movies, including King’sMr Harrigan’s Phone, which just underscores his impressive versatility and the sheer longevity of his career. Sutherland’s talent was greatly appreciated during his lifetime as he received praise from fans and critics, who enjoyed his various roles and, most notably,he was the recipient of a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards.
Mr. Harrigan’s Phone
Cast
Based on a short story from “If It Bleeds” by Stephen King, Mr. Harrigan’s phone is a horror film on Netflix, fleshing out elements from the original work. Mr. Harrigan is befriended by a young teen named Craig, who performs random jobs for the older man. When Mr. Harrigan passes away, Craig puts his phone in his pocket before he is buried and eventually discovers a new text from his former friend. The story is horror yet also rooted in connections persisting after death, and those beyond the grave may have ill intentions.
