Actress Shirley Douglas Passed Away At 86: Son Kiefer Sutherland Pays Tribute To His 'Extraordinary' Mother

Apr 06, 2020 by apost team

The well-known Canadian actress Shirley Douglas, mother of actor Kiefer Sutherland, has died. Sutherland announced his mother's death via Twitter on Sunday, April 5, explaining that she had passed away due to pneumonia complications. The actress had just turned 86 on April 2.

Born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1934, Shirley Douglas was the daughter of the Canadian politician Tommy Douglas. Over the course of her long and successful life, Douglas married twice and had three children, won several awards for her acting, became a vocal social activist speaking out in favor for a publicly funded health care system and received the Order of Canada, the second-highest mark of honor Canadians can achieve.

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Her well-known son Kiefer Sutherland, 53, announced the star's death via Twitter on Sunday. The Fugitive actor's statement was brief but heartfelt:

“Early this morning my mother, Shirley Douglas, passed away due to complications surrounding pneumonia (not related to COVID19). My mother was an extraordinary woman who led an extraordinary life. Sadly she had been battling for her health for quite some time and we, as a family, knew this day was coming. To any families who have lost loved ones unexpectedly to the Coronavirus, my heart breaks for you. Please stay safe."

Douglas had been suffering from a degenerative spine condition for some time and had taken to using a wheelchair during recent years.

Some of the many films Douglas starred in include Lolita (1962) and Dead Ringers (1988). She also took on many TV roles, the most prominent one being one of the main roles in the long-running Canadian TV family drama Wind At My Back (1966-2001). After her marriage to American-born Donald Sutherland in 1965, she also took up advocating for the American Civil Rights Movement and later became the co-founder the first chapter of the Performing Artists for Nuclear Disarmament in Canada.

Our hearts go out to Shirley Douglas' family. We wish them all the best in the wake of her passing and hope they remember the good days. Do you have any special memories in relation to her films and series? Tell us about your experiences and pass this article on to other Shirley Douglas fans to remember this special woman!