Kiefer Sutherland

Biography

Early life

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 founder 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.

Career

As of 2006, Sutherland has appeared in over fifty films. However, his popularity as an actor grew when he assumed the role of Jack Bauer on the critically acclaimed television series 24 in 2001. After being nominated for four times for the "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series" Primetime Emmy Award, Sutherland finally won the award in 2006 for his role in 24's fifth season. His father, Donald, was also an Emmy winner; he won an Emmy award for his role in Citizen X in 1996. In the opening skit of the 2006 Primetime Emmy Awards, Sutherland also made an appearance as his 24 character Jack Bauer.

In 2005, Sutherland was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame where both of his parents have also been inducted in Toronto. Also regarding his famous father, Sutherland was the first Inside the Actors Studio guest to be the child of a former guest; his father, Donald, appeared on the show in 1998.

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.

He has starred in Japanese commercials for Calorie Mate, performing a parody of his Jack Bauer character. Sutherland also provided voiceovers for the current ad campaign of Ford of Canada. In mid 2006, he voiced the Apple Computer advertisement announcing the inclusion of Intel chips in their Macintosh computer line.

The term Kiefer Test is a slang term for camera accessorization, referring to Kiefer Sutherland's preference for acting in front of video cameras with a large matte box.

Personal life

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."

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.

He has one daughter, Sarah Jude, born in 1988 and a stepdaughter, Michelle Kath, from his marriage to Camelia Kath, (widow of Chicago guitarist/singer Terry Kath). Sutherland's marriage to Camelia lasted from September 12, 1987 - 1990. In 2006, Sutherland became a grandfather, despite his young age, when Michelle gave birth to a son. Michelle, born in 1976, is just ten years younger than Sutherland.

On June 29, 1996, he married Kelly Winn. They divorced in 2004. He has two stepsons from this marriage.

He is an avid collector of Gibson Les Pauls, and will have his own series of Gibson custom guitars under the company's "Inspired By" line of instruments.

Filmography

Sutherland has directed three and appeared in over 50 films. Some of them are listed below.

The Simpsons (2006-7), will do the voice of Jack Bauer in the episode 24 minutes. He also voiced a hard-nosed colonel on November 12 in the episode G.I. D'oh.

Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight (2007), will provide voice for Raistlin Majere.

24 (2001-2007) Kiefer Sutherland has been the main cast member since the first season; recently signed a 3 year deal with Fox to continue work on 24 and work on new projects within Fox. In 2006, he also did voice acting and motion capture design scans. Season 6 will air in January of 2007.

The Wild (2006) as Samson the Lion, animated film, only voice provided

The Sentinel (2006), as David Breckinridge, a by-the-book Secret Service agent.

River Queen (2005) as Doyle

The Flight That Fought Back (2005)(TV), as the Narrator. "It aired on Discovery Channel on September 11, 2005 and was aired in 16 select theatres across America. It later on aired in England and Australia on Network 7"

Taking Lives (2004), as Hart

Phone Booth (2002), as the nameless sniper

The Land Before Time X: The Great Longneck Migration (2003), supplied his voice as Bron (Littlefoot's Father).

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Behind the Red Door (2002) as Roy

Dead Heat (2002) as Pally LaMarr

Desert Saints (2002), as hitman Arthur Banks

To End All Wars (2001)as Lt. Jim Reardon

The Right Temptation (2000)as Michael Farrow-Smith

Picking Up the Pieces (2000) as Bobo

Woman Wanted (2000) as Wendell Goddard, Kiefer also directed the movie. He plays alongside his mother Shirley Douglas.

After Alice (1999), plays Mickey Hayden, police Officer

Eye of the Killer (1999), plays Detective Michael Hayden

Ground Control (1998) as Jack Harris

Break Up (1998) as John Box

A Soldier's Sweetheart (1998) as Rat Kiley

Dark City (1998), as Dr. Daniel Schreber.

Truth or Consequences, N.M. (1997). Director and supporting actor, playing a double crossing criminal who ends up on the wrong side of Martin Sheen's crime lord.

Armitage III: Poly-Matrix (1997), a feature-length collation of the anime 4-parter Armitage III, as voice of lead male character; detective Ross Sylibus. Sutherland did not voice this part in the sequel, Armitage III: Dual Matrix.

A Time to Kill (1996), plays Freddie Lee Cobb, a KKK member. He appears alongside his father.

Freeway (1996) in this film loosely based on Little Red Riding Hood, he plays a serial killer who gives Reese Witherspoon's character a ride.

An Eye for an Eye (1996) playing the rapist and killer of Sally Field's character's daughter in this tale of revenge.

The Cowboy Way (1994) playing a cowboy named Sonny Gilstrap

The Vanishing (1993) as Jeff Harriman, a man who is searching for his kidnapped fiancee.

The Three Musketeers (1993), a Walt Disney film also starring Charlie Sheen, Tim Curry and Chris O'Donnell. Based loosely on the classic novel by Alexandre Dumas, pi¨re.

A Few Good Men (1992). Lieutenant Jonathan James Kendrick. Supporting actor alongside: Jack Nicholson, Kevin Bacon, and Tom Cruise.

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992), the prequel to the acclaimed Twin Peaks series. Sutherland plays Sam Stanley, the partner of Chet (Chris Isaak)

Article 99 (1992) as Dr. Peter Morgan

Flashback (1990) starring Kiefer Sutherland as John Buckner. With Dennis Hopper.

The Nutcracker Prince (1990), as the Nutcracker Prince.

Flatliners (1990), along with Julia Roberts and Kevin Bacon playing a group of medical students experimenting with death. Kiefer Sutherland and Julia Roberts became engaged during filming, however shortly afterwards Julia Roberts broke off the engagement when she ran off with his co-star in The Lost Boys, Jason Patric.

Young Guns II (1990) as Josiah Gordon 'Doc' Scurlock

Renegades (1989)

Young Guns (1988), with Emilio Estevez, and Charlie Sheen. A story about a group of outcast cowboys trying to defend the land of a man who took them in and helped educate them.

Bright Lights Big City (1988) as Tad Allagash

The Lost Boys (1987) playing the leading vampire (David) in Santa Carla, California in the United States in this cult classic.

Promised Land (1987) as Danny

Crazy Moon (1987) as Brooks

Stand By Me (1986). Critically acclaimed film revolving around a group of young boys search for a dead body. Also starring: River Phoenix, Wil Wheaton and Corey Feldman.

Trapped in Silence (1986) (TV) as Kevin Richter

Brotherhood of Justice (1986)

The Bay Boy (1984), his first film role, which earned him a Genie nomination for best actor.

Max Dugan Returns (1983) as Bill

Awards and nominations

Kiefer Sutherland at the 2006 Primetime Emmy Awards DVD Exclusive Awards

2003: nominated for best actor -- Dead Heat

Emmy Awards

2006: won for Outstanding Drama Series -- 24

2006: won for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series -- 24

2005: nominated for Outstanding Drama Series -- 24

2005: nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series -- 24

2004: nominated for Outstanding Drama Series -- 24

2004: nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series -- 24

2003: nominated for Outstanding Drama Series -- 24

2003: nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series -- 24

2002: nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series -- 24

Genie Awards

1985: nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role -- The Bay Boy

Golden Globe Awards

2006: nominated for Best Performance by a Lead Actor in a Drama Series -- 24

2004: nominated for Best Performance by a Lead Actor in a Drama Series -- 24

2003: nominated for Best Performance by a Lead Actor in a Drama Series -- 24

2002: won for Best Performance by a Lead Actor in a Drama Series -- 24

Monte-Carlo TV Festival

2006: won for Best International Producer -- 24

2006: won for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series -- 24

MTV Movie Awards

2004: nominated for Best Villain -- Phone Booth

1997: nominated for Best Villain -- A Time to Kill

People's Choice Awards

2006: nominated for favorite male star -- 24

Satellite Awards

2003: won for Best Performance by an Actor in a Series, Drama -- 24

2002: won for Best Performance by an Actor in a Series, Drama -- 24

Screen Actor Guild Awards

2006: won for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series -- 24

2005: nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series -- 24

2005: nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series -- 24

2004: won for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series -- 24

2003: nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series -- 24

2003: nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series -- 24

Slamdunk Film Festival

2000: won for Best Feature Film -- Woman Wanted

Teen Choice Awards

2006: nominated for Choice TV Actor - Drama/Action Adventure -- 24

Television Critics Association Awards

2006: nominated for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Drama -- 24

2005: nominated for Individual Achievement in Drama -- 24

2004: nominated for Individual Achievement in Drama -- 24

2003: nominated for Individual Achievement in Drama -- 24

2002: nominated for Individual Achievement in Drama -- 24

Western Heritage Awards

1989: won Theatrical Motion Picture -- Young Guns

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