Kiefer Sutherland

Kiefer William Frederick Dempsey George Rufus Sutherland (born December 21, 1966) is a Canadian television and film actor. He was born in London, England while his parents were working there, but was raised in Canada. He is the son of Donald Sutherland and Shirley Douglas, both actors themselves, and the grandson of Canadian statesman Tommy Douglas. He has a twin sister named Rachel, who has had a few credits in film production but does not work as an actress.

Sutherland is well known for his role as special agent Jack Bauer in U.S. television show 24. 24 was originally intended to be a one time mini-series in which special agent Jack Bauer (played by Sutherland) has to stop a presidential candidate from being assassinated as well as rescue his wife and daughter (who are being held hostage). The first season was such a hit that there was a second and third season made. A fourth season is due to begin in January of 2005. There is also a graphic novel called One Shot due to come out in the summer of 2004. The graphic novel is about Sutherland's character Jack Bauer when he first joins CTU; this takes place before the first season occurs.

After the original broadcast of the November 25, 2003 episode of 24, Kiefer Sutherland broke character to address the issue of gun safety, most likely to waive Fox Network of liability in case someone attempted to recreate the Russian Roulette scenes. Sutherland gave a promotion for an organization called Americans For Gun Safety Foundation. Sutherland's personal views on gun politics are unknown.

On April 18, 2000, Sutherland was a featured speaker at the Friends of Medicare rally in Edmonton, Alberta, which sought to prevent the governing Conservative premier Ralph Klein from amending Bill 11 in manner which protesters alleged would permit "two-tier health care" in Canada.

Selected filmography

Sutherland has directed three and appeared in over 50 films. Among his most notable efforts:

Phone Booth (2003), as the caller.
Woman Wanted (1999), director and as Wendell Goddard.
Dark City (1998), as Dr. Daniel Schreber.
Truth or Consequences, NM (1997). Directed by Sutherland. The premise of the movie is guy that just got out of jail decides to rob cocaine from the man he works for. Everything goes wrong when they rob the man, and Sutherland, along with 3 other men have to run from the police, and a vicious mob boss (played by Martin Sheen). Kiefer did not have a major acting role in the film, but he was a supporting actor.
An Eye for an Eye (1996). In this film Sutherland plays a killer/rapist opposite Sally Field. In the beginning of the film he kills and rapes Sally Field's daughter's character. He does this while the daughter is on the phone with her mother. The mother (Sally Field) is bent on revenge after this event.
The Three Musketeers (1993), a Walt Disney film also starring Charlie Sheen, Tim Curry and Chris O'Donnel. Based loosely on the classic novel by Alexander Dumas.
A Few Good Men (1992). Sutherland does not star in this film, but is an actor in it. Alongside: Jack Nicholson, Kevin Bacon, and Tom Cruise.
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992), the prequel to the acclaimed Twin Peaks series. Sutherland is a supporting actor, the partner of Chet (played by Chris Isaak).
Flatliners (1990), with Julia Roberts and Kevin Bacon. They play medical students experimenting with death. During the filming of this movie Kiefer Sutherland and Julia Roberts became engaged. Shortly after, however, Julia Roberts broke off the engagement to be with one of Kiefer Sutherlands close friends.
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.
The Lost Boys (1987). In this film Sutherland plays a lead vampire in a small town in the United States that corrupts a teenage boy that just moved there. The younger brother of the boy Kiefer turns into a vampire finds out that his brother has been turned into a vampire. Along with two other boys they go on a vampire hunt to destroy the gang of vampires.
Stand By Me (1986). In this movie, Sutherland plays Ace, the leader of a gang. The premise of the movie is some younger boys go on a mission to find a body. Two of Ace's gang members are somehow tied to this dead body, they go on a hunt to find it and become famous. The younger boys that are not in Ace's gang are also on the same mission. Both groups arrive at the dead body at the same time and there is a showdown to see who will get credit for finding the body. Also starring: River Phoenix, Wil Wheaton and Corey Feldman.
The Bay Boy (1984), his first film role, which earned him a Genie nomination for best actor.