Kiefer Sutherland: 20 Amazing Facts About His Life   

Kiefer Sutherland: 20 Amazing Facts About His Life   

Who is Kiefer Sutherland? Kiefer William Frederick Dempsey George Rufus Sutherland is a Canadian actor, producer, director, and singer-songwriter. When I think of him, the first thing that comes to mind is his portrayal of counterterrorist agent Jack Bauer on the hit TV series 24. I’ve been a huge fan of Kiefer’s since I first watched the show. As Jack Bauer, Kiefer was intense, gritty, and utterly convincing as the agent who would go to extreme lengths to take down terrorists. 

Over the years, I’ve come to admire Kiefer not only for his acting talents but also for his achievements outside of Hollywood. For instance, did you know that Kiefer is an experienced rodeo rider and cattle rancher? He also co-owns an independent record label and even took a break from acting in 2016 to tour as a country music singer. 

From his early days as a teen heartthrob in films like Stand By Me to his status as a legend, Kiefer is an award-winning actor in every aspect. Here are 20 amazing facts about Kiefer Sutherland. 

1. Kiefer Has Both Canadian And British Citizenship  

Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kiefer Sutherland was born on 21st December 1966 at St Mary’s Hospital in the Paddington neighborhood of London to his parents, Donald Sutherland and Shirley Douglas, two accomplished Canadian actors who had been residing and working in England. His parents named him after director Warren Kiefer, who his dad had worked with in the movie Castle of the Living Dead.  

The couple moved back to Canada when Kiefer was still a child. He has lived in various places during his childhood due to his parents’ acting careers, including the United States. He has British and Canadian citizenship. 

2. Kiefer Has A Twin Sister 

Kiefer has a twin sister named Rachel Sutherland and the two were born a few minutes apart. They are very close and share a strong bond. While Kiefer has chosen a life in the spotlight, Rachel works mainly behind the scenes in the entertainment industry as a post-production film supervisor. She is married to a screenwriter named Doug. 

3. He Followed In His Legendary Father’s Footsteps 

Festival TV Monte-Carlo, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kiefer Sutherland followed in the footsteps of his famous father, Donald Sutherland, by becoming an accomplished actor in his own right. As the son of a Canada-based actor and a Canadian native himself, Kiefer upholds staying loyal to those Canadian roots while ascending in American TV/film too. 

Even though he achieved success independently, Kiefer does share several parallels to his father Donald that speak to both men’s passion for risk-taking, excellence in acting, and guaranteeing their Sutherland surname remains film royalty. Kiefer has certainly honored that family lineage in an impactful way throughout his career. 

4. His Grandfather Brought Universal Healthcare To Canada 

City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 2743, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons

Kiefer Sutherland’s maternal grandfather, Tommy Douglas (1904 – 1986), was a prominent Canadian politician credited with bringing universal healthcare to Canada. Tommy was a Scottish-born Canadian politician who served as the seventh premier of Saskatchewan from 1944 to 1961. As leader, his government introduced the continent’s first single-payer universal health care program. Tommy Douglas would posthumously be chosen as the Greatest Canadian in 2004. 

5. Stand By Me Was His First Film In The United States 

Kiefer Sutherland delivered a truly memorable performance as the gang leader, Ace Merrill, in the 1986 coming-of-age classic Stand By Me. His portrayal of the menacing bully left a lasting impression on audiences. It showcased his early talent and versatility as an actor, setting the stage for his successful career in film and television. It also served as a stark contrast to the heroic characters he would later portray, further demonstrating his range and ability to embody diverse characters. 

6. Kiefer And Robert Downey Jr. Were Roommates  

Photo by Sgt. Michael Connors, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Kiefer Sutherland and Robert Downey Jr. were roommates in the late 1980s for about three years during their early days in Hollywood in the 1980s. Both actors were young and ambitious at the time, trying to make it in Hollywood. They eventually moved on with their separate lives and careers. 

To this day, they remain friends and have spoken fondly about their time together. The two actors experienced an interesting intersection between their personal lives and professional journeys. They worked together during the making of the 1988 film titled 1969, in which they co-starred.  

7. He Co-starred With His Father On Forsaken (2015) 

Peter Kudlacz, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kiefer and his father, Donald, starred in Forsaken the 2015 Western film. The film was directed by Jon Cassar and beside the Sutherlands, it also stars Brian Cox, and Demi Moore. This was the first time they ever shared scenes on screen. Kiefer had always dreamt of sharing the screen with his father for many years. Donald was proud of his son, and he praised his son’s acting abilities.  

In “Forsaken,” Kiefer plays John Henry Clayton, an embittered gunslinger who returns home to his estranged father, Reverend Samuel Clayton (played by Donald), after years of wandering following the Civil War. In the story, John Henry Clayton attempts to reconcile with his father while dealing with conflicts arising from a land dispute and the violent actions of a ruthless gang. The film explores themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and family conflict amidst a backdrop of violence and land grabs. Kiefer praises his father, Donald, as one of the greatest actors of all time. 

8. His Daughter Is An Actress   

Acting runs in Kiefer’s family. His daughter, Sarah Sutherland, is an actress taking after her dad, her paternal grandparents, and her uncles. She was born in 1988 and her mum is Camelia Kath, Kiefer’s first wife. Sarah developed an interest in acting at a young age and pursued training at prestigious institutions like Crossroads Drama Conservatory and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She is best known for her role as Catherine Meyer in the critically acclaimed HBO comedy series Veep. 

9. Kiefer Was Engaged To Julia Roberts  

U3230268, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kiefer Sutherland and Julia Roberts had a public engagement in the early 1990s. They had met in 1989 while filming the movie Flatliners. They were set to marry in June 1991, but just three days before the wedding, Roberts called off the engagement and flew to Ireland with Kiefer’s friend and co-star Jason Patric. Sutherland would later praise Roberts for having the courage to end their engagement. They both moved on and found love elsewhere.  

10. He Competed In Professional Rodeo Events 

Photo by Andre Ouellet on Unsplash

In the 1990s, Kiefer took a break from acting and spent nearly two years competing in rodeo events. He dedicated himself to competitive team roping, a rodeo event where two riders work together to capture a steer, and won two U.S. Team Roping Championships with his partner.  

When starting up on the rodeo circuit he decided to buy all the things needed. The horses, the bulls and cows, the tractors, and even acquired a 900-acre ranch in Montana. Did you know he broke three fingers in his first rodeo? 

Kiefer enjoys ranch life and owns a ranch that he escapes to when he needs a break from Hollywood. There he breeds cattle and has plenty of room to ride horses. 

11. 24 Was One Of The Best Projects In His Acting Career  

Video Courtesy of YouTube.

Jack Bauer in 24 became Sutherland’s most iconic character, propelling him to international fame and recognition. The show’s format was real-time storytelling, with each season consisting of 24 episodes, each representing an hour in a single day. This format added a sense of urgency and intensity to the storytelling. He was performing many of his stunts and enduring long filming schedules. 

The show demanded a complex and nuanced performance from Sutherland, highlighting his versatility and talent. Furthermore, the show significantly raised Kiefer Sutherland’s profile in the entertainment industry, solidifying his status as a leading actor in television. 24 remains a significant part of Kiefer Sutherland’s legacy, showcasing his talent and contributing to the evolution of television storytelling. 

12. Kiefer Is An Award-winning Actor  

Kiefer Sutherland is indeed an award-winning actor, with a career adorned with accolades and recognition for his outstanding performances. Most of his awards were due to his role as Jack Bauer in 24. Sutherland received numerous accolades for his performance, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2006. 

However, we cannot forget that he has a rich career with various notable performances in other films and television shows which he has won awards for.  

13. He Is On Both Canada’s And Hollywood’s Walks Of Fame 

Tabercil, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Located at 7080 Hollywood Boulevard in Toronto, Ontario, and the other at 7024 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, Kiefer Sutherland is one of the few actors to have stars on both Canada’s Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. These stars serve as permanent testaments to Kiefer Sutherland’s remarkable career and international recognition. 

The actor also received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Zurich Film Festival. He was awarded a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame in Toronto, Ontario in 2005, joining his parents, Donald and Shirley Douglas, who were also previously inducted. 

14. Kiefer Has A Collection Of Guitars  

Kiefer Sutherland owns a very large collection of guitars. He is a passionate guitar enthusiast and has amassed an impressive collection that includes vintage guitars. His love for the instrument extends beyond collecting because he is a skilled player and enjoys incorporating them into his music. He values playing and using his instruments. 

15. Kiefer Is A Talented Country Music Singer  

de:Benutzer:Smalltown Boy (Diskussion), Copyrighted free use, via Wikimedia Commons

In addition to his successful acting career, Kiefer Sutherland is a talented country music singer, who has carved out a niche for himself in the genre with his unique style and dedication. He launched his music career in 2016 when he released his debut album, Down in a Hole, which showcased his talents as a musician and singer-songwriter. 

Kiefer gives energetic and engaging live shows, interacting with the audience, sharing stories behind his songs, and creating a personal connection. He has toured extensively, performing at various venues, including the iconic Grand Ole Opry. 

16. He Co-Founded A Record Label 

Kiefer Sutherland co-founded a record label called Ironworks in the early 2000s along with his friend and fellow musician, Jude Cole. The label aimed to support and promote up-and-coming artists from the Los Angeles area, particularly those who weren’t receiving mainstream attention. 

17. Kiefer Has A Private Pilot’s License   

Robin Kirk, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kiefer Sutherland is a licensed pilot. He obtained his private pilot’s license years back and has spoken about his passion for flying on several occasions. He has expressed his enjoyment of flying, describing it as a relaxing and rewarding experience. 

18. He had Surgery In Between Shooting 24 

Kiefer Sutherland underwent surgery during the production of the popular TV show 24, in which he played the lead role of Jack Bauer. Sutherland had to undergo surgery for a ruptured cyst near his kidney, whereby the surgery caused a significant delay in production, as Sutherland needed time to recover. Production on the show had to be shut down for some weeks to allow Sutherland to recuperate from the surgery. 

19. Kiefer Spent Time In Jail   

Kiefer Sutherland spent time in jail for driving under the influence (DUI) in 2007. Sadly, this was not his first DUI offense, having been arrested several times before. He pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced to 48 days in jail, which he served at the Glendale City Jail in California. Kiefer also crashed with the law when he head-butted fashion designer Jack McCollough and even broke his nose in 2009. 

20. He Owns A Whisky Making Company 

Photo by Dylan de Jonge on Unsplash

Kiefer Sutherland is a co-founder of a Canadian whisky company called Red Bank Whisky. He plays an active role in promoting the brand, appearing at events, and signing bottles. Red Bank Whisky is a premium whisky that is crafted with a blend of corn, rye, and wheat whiskies. It is blended to perfection for an extra smooth, complex flavor to achieve a truly unique and flavorful experience. It is proudly Canadian, using only the finest Canadian ingredients, reflecting Sutherland’s heritage and appreciation for his home country. 

Those are my 20 intriguing facts about Kiefer Sutherland. The actor has had an eventful life journey so far since his early acting days. He continues defying expectations and reinventing himself in surprising ways, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.