The family of Donald Sutherland has prevented the release of the late actor’s memoir, which was described as “totally unpredictable.” This has led the book’s publisher, Penguin Random House, to file a lawsuit seeking a refund of the $400,000 advance paid to McNicol Pictures, the company established by Sutherland in Florida in 2012.
The suit, filed in Manhattan federal court, states that McNicol did not provide the final manuscript for “Made Up, But Still True.” A draft was submitted to Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, before Sutherland’s passing from prostate cancer on June 20, 2024, at his home in Miami, as outlined in the breach of contract lawsuit.
Crown had announced on March 27, 2024, that pre-orders for the memoir were being taken, with a release initially planned for this month. The announcement touted the book as a “long-awaited, courageous, candid and completely unpredictable personal story” that promised insights into Sutherland’s love for acting, his experiences with triumph and grief, and various intriguing anecdotes from his life.
Since Sutherland first gained fame nearly 60 years ago in M*A*S*H, he has been recognized as one of Hollywood’s most influential figures. The memoir was set to feature deeply personal stories, including his relationships with his parents and behind-the-scenes tales from his diverse filmography, which includes classics like M*A*S*H, Klute, and The Hunger Games.
The announcement also hinted at a notable experience from Sutherland’s youth, mentioning a romantic encounter he had at age 16.
However, following Sutherland’s death, issues regarding the memoir arose, prompting the publisher to provide a revised draft in an effort to complete the work. Nevertheless, Crown asserts that neither Sutherland’s family nor McNicol returned an “acceptable” manuscript.
Court filings indicate that McNicol has refused to return the $400,000 advance that the publisher requested back in July.
The anticipated release of the book has now been pushed to 2026.
Sutherland was involved in a controversial scene with actress Julie Christie in the 1973 film Don’t Look Now, a film that sparked discussions due to its explicit content. There were rumors that the scenes were so realistic that they could not be simulated.
Peter Burt, a former Variety editor, wrote in his own book about the incident, suggesting that Warren Beatty, Christie’s partner at the time, was so upset that he flew to demand the removal of the scene. Burt claims he witnessed the filming and described it in detail.
However, Sutherland and the film’s producers have consistently denied these allegations. As for Sutherland’s estate, it’s still unclear who will manage his substantial fortune, which is estimated at $60 million.
Attempts to reach McNicol for comment regarding the lawsuit were unsuccessful.
