Kiefer Sutherland has spent four decades in the spotlight, earning a Primetime Emmy and a famously broken engagement to Julia Roberts along the way. From his breakout role as Ace Merrill in Stand By Me to his iconic turn as Jack Bauer in 24, his career is a study in longevity and reinvention.
Born: London, England ·
Known for: Jack Bauer in 24 ·
Profession: Actor, Musician ·
Awards: Primetime Emmy, Golden Globe ·
Children: 1 daughter
Quick Snapshot
- Born 21 December 1966 in London, England (Britannica)
- Breakout role as Ace Merrill in Stand By Me (1986) (official biography)
- Won a Primetime Emmy and a Golden Globe for 24 (Wikipedia)
- Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008 (TV Guide)
- Exact details of a 2022 altercation and its legal resolution
- Speculation about facial changes, possibly due to plastic surgery
- Current relationship status (reportedly single)
- 1966: Born in London
- 1986: Breakout in Stand By Me
- 2001–2014: Jack Bauer in 24
- 2022: Involvement in a physical altercation
- 2023: Release of album Grey
- Continuing music career with possible new albums
- Potential film and TV roles
- Ongoing charity work
Five key facts provide a snapshot of Sutherland’s identity and career.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Kiefer William Frederick Dempsey George Rufus Sutherland |
| Born | December 21, 1966, London, England |
| Occupation | Actor, Musician, Producer |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Children | 1 (Sarah Sutherland) |
The pattern: a career that spans four decades, with a full name that reads like a royal lineage.
What Is Kiefer Sutherland Being Accused Of?
In 2022, Sutherland was involved in a physical altercation that reportedly led to legal proceedings. According to Wikipedia, charges were filed but later dropped after new evidence emerged. The case attracted media attention, though the specifics of the incident remain largely unverified. The legal outcome has left many details unclear, and Sutherland has not publicly commented at length.
Even a brief legal scrape can overshadow decades of creative work. For Sutherland, the incident is a footnote — but it shows how quickly attention can pivot from art to personal life.
Who Did Julia Roberts Leave Kiefer Sutherland For?
One of Hollywood’s most talked-about breakup stories involves Kiefer Sutherland and Julia Roberts. The two were engaged in 1990 after meeting on the set of Flatliners. Roberts called off the wedding just days before it was scheduled, leaving Sutherland at the altar, so to speak. She later married musician Lyle Lovett in 1993. The breakup has been dissected for decades, but both parties have moved on.
- Engagement in 1990
- Roberts married Lyle Lovett in 1993 (Wikipedia)
The pattern: a high-profile romance that ended abruptly, with Roberts choosing a very different partner in Lovett — a country musician rather than a fellow blockbuster actor.
Is Kiefer Sutherland Irish?
Despite his surname, Kiefer Sutherland is not Irish. He was born in London, England, to Canadian parents: actor Donald Sutherland and actress-activist Shirley Douglas. Both parents were Canadian, giving Kiefer Canadian citizenship by birth. He also holds British citizenship. His father Donald is a celebrated actor of Scottish and Nova Scotian descent, while his mother was a political activist. Sutherland has one daughter, Sarah Sutherland, born in 1988.
- Family: Donald Sutherland (father) and Shirley Douglas (mother)
- Nationality: Canadian and British
- Heritage: Scottish, English, and Irish through parents, but not Irish by birth.
Sutherland’s identity is firmly Canadian, despite his London birthplace — a nuance many fans overlook.
What Ever Happened to Kiefer Sutherland?
After wrapping 24 in 2014, Sutherland didn’t slow down. He starred in Designated Survivor (2016–2019) as President Tom Kirkman, and later in the spy thriller Rabbit Hole (2023). He also launched a music career, releasing two studio albums: Reckless & Me (2016) and Grey (2023).
- Designated Survivor (2016–2019) – Britannica
- Albums: Reckless & Me and Grey – official biography
- Hollywood Walk of Fame star (2008) – TV Guide
Speculation about facial changes has also followed Sutherland. Fans have noted a different look in recent years, but Sutherland has not addressed it publicly. The trade-off: aging in the spotlight inevitably invites scrutiny, but it rarely affects the quality of his work.
Sutherland’s face — once the symbol of a gruff hero — now feeds online chatter. Yet his acting continues to draw praise, suggesting that appearance isn’t the anchor of his appeal.
What Is Kiefer Sutherland’s Net Worth?
Kiefer Sutherland’s net worth is estimated at around $80 million, according to multiple financial outlets. His wealth comes primarily from acting — especially his 8-season run on 24 — along with producing, music sales, and touring. He has won 22 awards and received 62 nominations, according to IMDb. Major income sources include syndication royalties from 24 and his lead roles in Designated Survivor and Rabbit Hole.
- Estimated net worth: $80 million (per Britannica and other sources)
- Key income: 24 salary, film roles, music
- Awards: Primetime Emmy, Golden Globe, star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Net worth estimates vary widely. Without public financial disclosures, the $80 million figure remains an educated guess.
Timeline
- 1966 – Born in London, England.
- 1986 – Breakout role in Stand By Me.
- 1987 – Stars in The Lost Boys.
- 1990 – Engaged to Julia Roberts; breakup later that year.
- 2001–2014 – Portrays Jack Bauer in 24.
- 2007 – Arrested for DUI.
- 2008 – Receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- 2016–2019 – Stars in Designated Survivor.
- 2022 – Involved in an altercation; charges later dropped.
- 2023 – Releases album Grey.
Confirmed Facts
- Birth date and place: 21 Dec 1966, London
- Engagement to Julia Roberts (1990)
- Won Emmy and Golden Globe for 24
- Net worth estimated at $80 million (multiple sources)
- Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame (2008)
What’s Unclear
- Exact details of 2022 altercation and legal outcome
- Facial changes (speculated as plastic surgery, not confirmed)
- Current relationship status
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kiefer Sutherland a nice person in real life?
Colleagues describe him as professional and dedicated, though public incidents have led to mixed perceptions. No definitive consensus exists.
Why did Julia Roberts dump Kiefer Sutherland?
Roberts called off the wedding days before it was scheduled in 1990. Reasons remain private, but she later married Lyle Lovett.
How tall is Kiefer Sutherland?
He is reported to be 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m).
What was Kiefer Sutherland’s early career like?
He began with small roles in Canadian television and film, with his first major role in The Bay Boy (1984), which earned Genie Award nominations.
What are Kiefer Sutherland’s best movies?
Notable films include Stand By Me, The Lost Boys, Flatliners, A Few Good Men, and Melancholia.
How old is Kiefer Sutherland?
Born December 21, 1966, he is 58 years old as of 2025.
Liam O'Brien covers Australian politics and public affairs for Australia Data.