BIOGRAPHY
Full Name: Kiefer William Frederick Dempsey George Rufus SutherlandDate of Birth: 21st December 1966
Place of Birth: London, England, UK
Kiefer William Frederick Dempsey George Rufus Sutherland (born December 21, 1966 in London, England) is an Emmy Award-winning and Golden Globe-winning Canadian television and film actor, best known for his role of Jack Bauer on the series 24. Sutherland owns a recording studio and record label, called Ironworks.
Kiefer Sutherland is the son of Donald Sutherland and Shirley Douglas, both successful Canadian actors. He is of Scottish descent on both sides and is the grandson of Canadian statesman and inventor of Canadian medicare Tommy Douglas, who was in 2004 voted by CBC viewers as The Greatest Canadian.
He and his twin sister, Rachel, were born in London while his parents were working there. As a result, he holds both Canadian and British passports. His family moved to Los Angeles, California shortly afterwards, but his parents eventually divorced in 1970. In 1975, Sutherland moved with his mother to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where he attended high school at St. Andrew's College, Martingrove Collegiate Institute and Malvern Collegiate Institute. Kiefer has stated he wasn't aware his father was an actor until he was 18-years-old.
Sutherland was engaged to Julia Roberts, although in 1991 their relationship ended just five days before their planned marriage.
Several episodes of 24 have allegedly been rewritten to work around minor injuries Sutherland sustained when partying. In an interview with the London Daily Telegraph, Sutherland said, "I can't deny half the stuff that's been written about me has been true. I've done some stupid things. You have to take responsibility, go, 'That was embarrassing,' and move forward as best you can."
Kiefer Sutherland at the 2006 Primetime Emmy AwardsHe has a daughter, Sarah Jude Sutherland, and one stepdaughter from his previous marriage to Camelia Kath.
On June 29, 1996, he married Kelly Winn. The couple is currently divorcing.
During the fall of 2001, Sutherland unintentionally interrupted the filming of the premiere episode of an online series titled The Lonely Island. In the episode "White Power", the main characters develop an addiction to teeth whitener, and eventually mug an old woman to facilitate their addiction. Sutherland, driving by at the time, believed the mugging was real and jumped out of his car to intervene. A portion of Sutherland's appearance is displayed after the credits. This anecdote was recounted by Andy Samberg.
Sutherland was featured on the cover of the April edition of Rolling Stone, in an article entitled "Alone in the Dark with Kiefer Sutherland." The article opened up with Sutherland revealing his interest to be killed off in 24. However, he had also stated,"Don't get me wrong. I love what I do." It also revealed that he devotes 10 out of 12 months a year working on 24 [1].
Kiefer also did the voiceovers in a few commericals. These include Apple's ad to introduce the new Intel chip into their computer line [2] and several Ford ads since Ford has sponsored commercial-free runs of 24. [3] Kiefer also drives a Ford Expedition in 24.
Kiefer made an appearance in the opening skit of the 2006 Primetime Emmy Awards as his 24 character Jack Bauer.
TRIVIAL FACTS
Grandson of former Saskatchewan premier Tommy Douglas, leader of the first elected socialist government in North America. Douglas was premier from 1944-1961, and was known as the father of Canada's government funded medical system.Daughter, Sarah Jude, with Camelia Kath.
Son of actor Donald Sutherland and actress Shirley Douglas
Was engaged to Julia Roberts
Among the many reasons cited for the break-up of his first marriage, one was his friendship with The Lost Boys (1987) castmate Jason Patric and other members of the "brat pack" -- ironically enough, his friendship with Jason Patric dissolved after his fiance Julia Roberts left with Patric for Europe.
Traveled with the rodeo circuit in the late 1990s and won rodeos in Phoenix and Albuquerque.
Plays ice hockey on a celebrity team.
Earned first place in the US Team Roping Championships.
Twin sister Rachel Sutherland is a TV post-production supervisor in Toronto.
Named after Warren Kiefer, pen name of Lorenzo Sabatini. Sabatini directed Castello dei morti vivi, Il (1964) [aka Castle of the Living Dead (1964)], in which Donald Sutherland made his theatrical film debut.
Daughter Sarah Jude was named after actress Sarah Jessica Parker and singer/songwriter/composer Jude Cole.
Was named after screenwriter Lorenzo Sabatini (aka: Warren Kiefer) who wrote his father Donald Sutherland's feature film debut.
Was Gary Oldman's passenger when Oldman was arrested for drunk driving in 1991.
Daughter, Sarah, likes to make fun of the fact that he's computer illiterate.
During filming of Stand by Me (1986), stayed in character off-camera by often picking on Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman and Jerry O'Connell.
Shares birthday with The Three Musketeers (1993) co-star Julie Delpy.
In an episode of "24" (2001), his character mentions that he and his wife and daughter should take a trip up into Canada. His father, Donald Sutherland, was born in New Brunswick, a Canadian province.
Is on screen for less than three minutes in Taking Lives (2004), even though he shares top billing with Ethan Hawke and Angelina Jolie.
Appears in one scene of Article 99 (1992) wearing glasses and a fishing bucket hat, a tip to father Donald Sutherland, who sported the same look in MASH (1970).
For his role in The Wild (2006), he had to practice roaring like a lion. Rather than doing it at his home with his daughter and stepdaughter around, he practiced in his car while driving on the freeway, completely unaware of a woman in the next lane watching him.
When starting up on the rodeo circuit he decided to buy all the things needed. The horses, the bulls/cows, the tractors, the 900 acre ranch in Montana, then sold it once he was finished.
His role as Jack Bauer in "24" (2001) is his first regular role on a television series.
His vampire likeness from The Lost Boys (1987) is featured on the cover of J. Gordon Melton's "The Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead." In a captioned picture inside the book, his name is misspelled as "Keifer."
Had L.A. Confidential (1997) been made into a TV series, he would have played the Kevin Spacey character, Jack Vincennes.
In an episode of "24" (2001), he is told a character is being transferred from Los Angeles to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba for questioning. In A Few Good Men (1992), he played a Marine stationed at Guantanamo Bay.
Went to Martingrove Collegiate Institute in Etobicoke, Ontario
Within the same year, had played the character of The Caller in the movie Phone Booth (2002) and of Jack Bauer in the television series "24" (2001). Both projects were created by Fox. The events of both projects take place in "real time". And both projects were delayed by Fox due to national threats: "24" (2001) due to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and Phone Booth (2002) due to sniper shootings.
Even though he physically appears onscreen for less than three minutes in Phone Booth (2002), he received second billing behind Colin Farrell.
Wasn't aware of father Donald Sutherland as an actor until he was 18.
His stepdaughter Michelle Kath is expecting her first child in February 2005.
On January 23, 2005, became the first "Inside the Actors Studio" (1994) guest to be the offspring of a former guest. His father, Donald Sutherland appeared on the show in 1998.
Was originally slated to play grandfather Tommy Douglas in "Prairie Giant: The Tommy Douglas Story" (2006) (mini), but had to relinquish the role in late 2004 due to scheduling conflicts with the fourth season of "24" (2001).
Is seven minutes older than sister Rachel Sutherland.
When he was eight, he moved to Canada where he spent the next eight years of his life.
He left Canada to do commercials in New York. In 1983 he landed a jeans advertisement and got enough money to buy a car and go to California.
His daughter Sarah will graduate in the class of 2006 from Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences in Santa Monica, California (Vanity Fair Magazine, February 2005)
Shares a birthday with Jane Fonda, Samuel L. Jackson, and Ray Romano.
In an episode of "24" (2001), his character Jack Bauer is brought back after a heart failure. The same thing happened in Flatliners (1990), where he played Nelson.
Is close friends with hockey legend Wayne Gretzky
On the Freeway (1996) DVD cover, he has a five o'clock shadow, but in the film itself, he is clean shaven.
During the fourth season of "24" (2001), he filmed a Public Service Announcement to tell viewers that the show's creators were not trying to exploit 9/11 in their storylines, and that the whole terrorist storyline was fictional.
Attended the funeral of actor Brandon Lee (who was accidentally shot by Michael Massee while filming The Crow (1994)). Coincidentally, Massee later played villain Ira Gaines in the first season of "24" (2001).
Is the spokesperson for Calorie Mate Japan in character from '24'
Attended St. Andrew's College in Aurora, Ontario.
Owns a recording studio/music label in Los Angeles, called Ironworks, with best friend, musician/producer Jude Cole.
Has three half-brothers: Roeg Sutherland (b. 1974), Rossif Sutherland (b. 1978) and Angus Redford Sutherland (b. 1979).
At about 5' 10", Kiefer is extremely short by the standards of his father's side of the family. For example, his father stands 6' 4" and his half-brothers are well over 6 feet.
Starred alongside Dennis Hopper in Flashback (1990). Hopper later played Victor Drazen in the final four episodes of Season One of 24.
He appears with Kim Basinger in The Sentinel (2006). Basinger appeared in L.A. Confidential (1997), and Sutherland was going to play Jack Vincennes in the failed TV pilot version, L.A. Confidential (2003) (TV).
Has signed a contract to be in 3 more seasons of 24 after season 5. The contract says he will be paid $40 million which makes him the highest paid actor on a TV drama.
Is a huge fan of the rock band Queen
Has a 1967 Chevy Chevelle that he has a "personal attachment to"
Broke three fingers in his first rodeo.
He attended seven different schools in ten years.
Has spent 15 hours a day, six days a week, for the last five years on the set of 24.
His grandfather (former Saskatchewan premier Tommy Douglas) was voted "The Greatest Canadian"
Upon the conclusion of season 5 of "24," Kiefer has spent more on-screen time as the character Jack Bauer than as all of his previous roles combined. He has also received more nominations for the show than his entire film career.
His ex-wife, Camelia, is the widow of Chicago guitarist Terry Kath.
Ranked #68 on the 2006 Forbes Celebrity 100 list of the world's most powerful celebrities. His earnings were a reported $23 million.
Information taken from Wikipedia and IMDB.