Sutherland on Oscar honour: ‘It’s everything’

Donald Sutherland hit the red carpet at the Toronto International Film Festival still beaming from news of his Oscar honour, joking about how he’ll prepare for his first Academy Awards bash.

“Well, I probably have to lose weight,” the legendary actor quipped Saturday as he mused on the upcoming Governors Awards.

The 82-year-old screen star from Saint John, N.B., learned last week that he’s among four recipients of a lifetime achievement award, to be handed out Nov. 11.

“I’m really happy, I was thrilled,” Sutherland said of learning the news while working in Rome on Danny Boyle’s limited series for FX, “Trust.”

“It’s everything, it’s everything.” Sutherland greeted fans and posed for pictures as he headed to a screening of his latest feature, “The Leisure Seeker,” with Oscarwinner Helen Mirren.

They play an aging couple who hit the road in their vintage RV for one last adventure as health woes close in on them.

On the way into the theatre, Mirren called Sutherland’s Oscar honour long overdue and admitted to being in awe of his long career.

“I’m always rather intimidated working with very, very big movie stars like Donald,” Mirren said. “Donald and I had to spend many hours in a camper van together so certainly there was every opportunity to get to know each other. I loved working with him. It was very funny, it was very fun, it was often quite challenging but it was a marvellous experience.”

The film’s Italian director, Paolo Virzi, added that he and the cast “were so happy and moved” when they heard the news.

“I think he totally deserves that, he’s a legend, he’s worked in such masterpieces,” said Virzi, who described a dedicated and detailed performer.