Tom Blyth pays tribute to Hunger Games star Donald Sutherland who was his President Snow predecessor

A Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes star Tom Blyth has shared a heartwarming tribute to his President Snow predecessor, Donald Sutherland.

On Thursday, it was announced that the Hollywood icon had died at the age of 88.

The Canadian actor’s movie star son Kiefer Sutherland shared the sad news of his father’s death from a long illness.

Sutherland’s career spanned over 60 years and he saw a resurgence in popularity with a younger audience in recent years, thanks to his role as the evil President Snow in The Hunger Games franchise. 

Tom Blyth, 29, went on to play the 18-year-old version of the Capitol president in the prequel A Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes, which hit cinema screens in November 2023.

On Thursday, it was announced that the Hollywood icon had died at the age of 88 (pictured above in 2019)

The actor posted two pictures of Sutherland on Instagram, with the song Snow Lands On Top by James Newton Howard playing in the background.

He included one photo of the icon in character as Coriolanus Snow – and wrote a heartfelt tribute.

Blyth penned: ‘Donald Sutherland came about as close to mastering the craft of acting as anyone gets. So many genius performances. 

‘I never had the honor of knowing him personally, but it was the honor of a lifetime to follow in his footsteps. 

‘Thank you sir for birthing one of the great movie characters of all time.’

Fans flooded the comments with love for both actors, writing:

‘You do him such justice. RIP Donald.’

‘Such a devastating loss, truly one of the greats. You did so well honouring him through your own portrayal as Coriolanus. He will be sorely missed.’

Sutherland (LEFT) played the evil President Snow in The Hunger Games franchise, a role that Tom Blyth (RIGHT) took on in the prequel

Sutherland was the first actor to step into the shoes of the fictional antagonist Coriolanus Snow in each of The Hunger Games installments, between 2012 and 2015

Tom Blyth’s co-star Rachel Zegler, who plays Lucy Gray Baird (RIGHT) in the prequel movie, also commented a heart emoji

The actor posted two pictures of Sutherland on Instagram, with the song Snow Lands On Top by James Newton Howard playing in the background

Fans flooded the comments of the post with love for both actors

‘Tom, you’re a legend. One Snow honouring the other. RIP Donald Sutherland, he was truly fantastic.’

‘Snow lands on top always and forever.’ 

Blyth’s co-star Rachel Zegler, who plays Lucy Gray Baird in the prequel movie, also commented with a heart emoji. 

It comes just after Tom revealed that he would ‘love’ to reprise his role as the infamous villain in Suzanne Collins’ dystopian series. 

‘I’d love to do another [Hunger Games movie],’ he told the Herald Sun.

‘There’s a lot more to tell about Snow and his cousin Tigris and I just feel like there is so much about that world that is so rich and eligible to be delved into more.’ 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes explored the early days of the tyrannical President of Panem, who was the last hope for his fading lineage, a once-proud family that fell from grace in the post-war Capitol. 

Meanwhile, Sutherland was the first actor to step into the shoes of the fictional antagonist Coriolanus Snow in each of The Hunger Games installments, between 2012 and 2015. 

It comes just after Tom revealed that he would ‘love’ to reprise his role as the infamous villain in Suzanne Collins’ dystopian series  (pictured above in December 2023) 

After his son  Kiefer led tributes in announcing his father’s passing, a number of big names honored his timeless career

The Canadian actor’s movie star son Kiefer Sutherland shared the sad news of his father’s death from a long illness

But, the Emmy and Golden Globe winner made a name for himself long before that, appearing on M*A*S*H, Klute and the 1970s horror movie Don’t Look Now.

After his son Kiefer led tributes in announcing his father’s passing, a number of big names honored his timeless career.

Broadcaster Piers Morgan said he was ‘one of my all-time favorite actors who played so many great roles. What a sad loss.’

Director Ron Howard, who worked with Sutherland on the film Backdraft, said he was ‘blessed’ to have directed the icon.

‘One of the most intelligent, interesting & engrossing film actors of all time. Incredible range, creative courage & dedication to serving the story & the audience with supreme excellence,’ he said.