Jane Fonda Shares Heartfelt Tribute to Donald Sutherland
It’s been an emotional time for Jane Fonda as she reflects on the life and legacy of her former husband, Donald Sutherland. In a deeply personal tribute, Jane opened up about how she’s been left heartbroken by his passing. Sharing her thoughts on Instagram, she revealed the profound impact Donald had on her life, both personally and professionally.
Writing with raw emotion, Jane, now 86, expressed her shock upon hearing the news of Donald's death. "I am stunned to hear that Donald Sutherland has died," she began. She went on to reminisce about their time working together on the iconic film Klute, where they developed a strong bond. "He was my fascinating costar, and we truly loved working together," she fondly recalled. The photo she shared from the set captures a candid moment, with director Alan Pakula also in the frame, highlighting the camaraderie of the team.
Remembering Their Adventures Together
The black-and-white photo Jane posted shows Donald, star of The Hunger Games, staring intently forward, preparing for a scene, with Jane standing beside him. It’s a snapshot of their professional collaboration, but Jane’s tribute goes much deeper than that. "Donald was not only a brilliant actor but also a complex man who shared quite a few adventures with me," she continued. One of those adventures was the FTA Show, an anti-Vietnam War tour that reached 60,000 active duty soldiers, sailors, and marines in Hawaii, Okinawa, the Philippines, and Japan in 1971. This experience clearly left a lasting impression on Jane, who described herself as "heartbroken" by his loss.
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From the Set of Klute to the Pages of Memoirs
Jane and Donald's relationship dates back to the early '70s when they were filming Klute. Their romance blossomed during this period, and they dated from 1970 to 1972. This era marked a significant chapter in Jane's career as she won the Best Actress Oscar for her role in the film. In her 2006 memoir, My Life So Far, Jane described Donald as an "old-world gentleman" and admired his "rangy, hangdog quality." His "droopy, pale blue eyes" left a lasting impression on her, and she couldn't help but be drawn to his unique charm.
Donald, on the other hand, spoke candidly about the pain of their breakup in a 2008 interview with The Guardian. He recounted the difficult moment when their relationship ended in Tokyo, saying, "It broke my heart. I was eviscerated. I was so sad." Despite the heartache, he acknowledged that their time together was special until they decided to live together.
Donald Sutherland's Legacy and Family
After parting ways with Jane, Donald went on to marry Canadian actress Francine Racette in 1972. Their marriage lasted until his passing and they had three sons: Rossif Sutherland, Angus Sutherland, and Roeg Sutherland. Donald had been married twice before, first to teacher Lois Hardwick from 1959 to 1966, and then to Shirley Douglas, with whom he had twins, Kiefer and Rachel, born in 1966.
Kiefer Sutherland, now 57, took to Instagram to announce his father's death, sharing a poignant black-and-white photo of them when Kiefer was a young boy. In a heartfelt message, Kiefer wrote, "With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away." He celebrated his dad's incredible legacy, calling him "one of the most important actors in the history of film." Donald approached every role with passion, whether it was good, bad, or ugly, and he loved what he did wholeheartedly. Kiefer concluded, "A life well lived."
