Kiefer Sutherland is a Canadian actor, producer and musician best known for playing the counter-terrorism agent Jack Bauer in the acclaimed television series 24, a role that made him one of the most recognisable faces on television and earned him a Primetime Emmy Award. The son of actor Donald Sutherland, he built a career that spans film, television and music, and he remains one of the most enduring stars of his generation.
| Full Name | Kiefer William Frederick Dempsey George Rufus Sutherland |
| Date of Birth | December 21, 1966 |
| Age | 59 years old (as of November 2026) |
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Profession | Actor, producer, musician |
| Known For | 24, The Lost Boys, Designated Survivor |
| Partner | Cindy Vela (long-term partner) |
| Children | One daughter, Sarah Sutherland |
| Net Worth | Approx. $100 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2025) |
Who Is Kiefer Sutherland?
Kiefer Sutherland is an actor whose name is inseparable from the character of Jack Bauer. For eight seasons of 24, from 2001 to 2010, he played the counter-terrorism agent who would do anything, and I mean anything, to stop a terrorist attack, often within a single, real-time day. The show was a cultural phenomenon, and Sutherland’s performance, intense, physical and deeply human, won him the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2006.
Before 24, Sutherland was already a successful film actor, known for Stand by Me, The Lost Boys and A Few Good Men. After 24, he starred in the political drama Designated Survivor, playing a low-level cabinet member who becomes President of the United States after a terrorist attack, and he has continued to work in film, television and music, releasing country albums and touring with his band.
Early Life & Background
Kiefer Sutherland was born on December 21, 1966, in London, England, the son of Canadian actor Donald Sutherland and Welsh actress Shirley Douglas, and the twin brother of Rachel Sutherland, who became a film production manager. His parents divorced when he was young, and he was raised largely in Canada, in Toronto, where he attended school and began acting as a teenager.
He made his film debut in Max Dugan Returns in 1983, and his breakthrough came with Stand by Me in 1986, in which he played the bully Ace Merrill, and The Lost Boys in 1987, in which he played the vampire David. Those roles established him as a young actor with a gift for playing dangerous, charismatic characters, and they led to a string of film roles through the late 1980s and 1990s.
He was married to Camelia Kath from 1987 to 1990, and to Kelly Winn from 1996 to 2004. He has a daughter, Sarah Sutherland, who is also an actress, best known for her role in the HBO series Veep. Since 2014, his long-term partner has been actress and model Cindy Vela. He lives in Los Angeles and in Canada.
Career
Sutherland’s film career in the 1990s included roles in Flatliners, A Few Good Men, The Three Musketeers and A Time to Kill, but it was television that made him a star. 24 premiered in 2001, just weeks after the September 11 attacks, and its premise, a counter-terrorism agent racing against time, resonated with audiences in a way few shows have. Sutherland played Jack Bauer for 192 episodes, and he won a Golden Globe Award for the role in 2002.
After 24 ended in 2010, Sutherland starred in the series Touch and in the 24 revival 24: Live Another Day in 2014, and then in Designated Survivor from 2016 to 2019, playing President Tom Kirkman. He has also appeared in the films Melancholia, Pompeii and The Contractor, and he has released two country music albums, Down in a Hole in 2016 and Reckless & Me in 2019.
Like Bryan Cranston, Sutherland is known for a career built on a single, defining television role, and for the intensity he brings to every performance. Like Michael C. Hall, he has returned to his most famous character more than once, and he remains one of the most respected actors in television.
Facts About Kiefer Sutherland
- Kiefer Sutherland won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for 24 in 2006.
- He won a Golden Globe Award for his role as Jack Bauer in 2002.
- He is the son of actor Donald Sutherland and the twin brother of Rachel Sutherland.
- His long-term partner is actress and model Cindy Vela, and his daughter Sarah Sutherland is an actress.
- He has released two country music albums and tours with his band.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Kiefer Sutherland?
Kiefer Sutherland was born on December 21, 1966, which makes him 59 years old as of November 2026.
How tall is Kiefer Sutherland?
Kiefer Sutherland is 5 feet 9 inches tall (1.75 metres).
Who is Kiefer Sutherland’s partner?
Kiefer Sutherland’s long-term partner is actress and model Cindy Vela. They have been together since 2014.
What is Kiefer Sutherland’s net worth?
Kiefer Sutherland’s net worth is estimated at approximately $100 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth in 2025.
What is Kiefer Sutherland best known for?
Kiefer Sutherland is best known for playing Jack Bauer in 24 and for his roles in The Lost Boys and Designated Survivor.