To whom it may concern, [I guess if you’re reading this, that means you]
My name is Kiefer Sutherland, and I’ve been asked to open a myspace page. Not that I am a complete technophobe, but to say that I am late to experience the internet would be an understatement. I am however, open to the challenge.
The timing seemed right to start this page now, since I have a new film called MIRRORS, a project I am very proud of and eager to share with all of you.
But as I sit down to write this, I must admit the notion of reaching out to people who have been there for me all these years feels more like fun than work.
One of the frustrating parts of being on film and television is being unable to personally thank each and every one of you who have supported me over many years. You are the reason I’ve been able to live my dream as an actor, and for that I am profoundly grateful.
I should probably start by telling you some basics about myself. I was born in London, England in 1966 at St. Mary’s hospital in Paddington. Seven minutes later I was followed by my twin sister, Rachel. My mother’s name is Shirley Douglas, and my father is Donald Sutherland.
Both were in England working as actors. In 1969 my family moved from the UK to the US because of work opportunities for my father. We lived in Los Angeles until 1976. My parents then divorced, and Shirley, Rachel and I moved to Toronto, Canada. Through the obvious fears of change, I actually felt some excitement for the opportunity to live closer to my grandparents Irmie and Tommy Douglas.
My grandfather was a political force in Canada. Early on in his career, he was the Premier of Saskatchewan and later became the leader of the New Democratic Party, otherwise known as the NDP. In Canada he is affectionately known as the father of health care, something I am immensely proud of. I will tell you more about him later.
Rachel and I went to a variety of schools until I was almost sixteen years old. She was a much better student than I, a point I hope this letter will not reveal too greatly…
From the time I was twelve I was fascinated with guitar, and thought somehow music was going to play a major part in my life. I had played, though not very well, in a few bands until one evening I went to see my mother in a production of WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOLF?. Her performance stopped me dead in my tracks. I had seen her in many plays before, and somehow always knew that this was my mother, Shirley onstage. Not this time. Somewhere in the 2nd act, she had become the character of Martha, and all traces of my Mum were gone. The curtain dropped, the play had finished, and I sat alone in an empty theater amazed at the power it had on me.
From that point forward, my energy and desire had shifted to acting. I started studying and training, and soon was doing what all young actors do… looking for an agent, going out on large open casting calls, and getting used to the phrase “no thank you”.
After a year and a half and a few small plays way, way, way out of town… the break of a lifetime loomed on the horizon. Film director Daniel Petrie had returned to Canada to tell his semi-autobiographical story, THE BAY BOY.
Daniel was an accomplished director, having made films such as FORT APACHE, THE BRONX, RAISIN IN THE SUN, and THE DOLL MAKER, to name a few.
During the first audition my heart was beating so loud I could barely hear him speak. Over what appeared to be an eternity of meetings, which in reality took about 3 weeks, I managed to collect myself and do my best. After an agonizing 2 days of waiting to hear his answer, I earned the part of Donald.
I remember I had to step outside to jump up and down, so I wouldn’t hit my head on the 6 foot ceiling in my basement apartment.
Over the course of making that film Dan took me under his wing and tried to teach me everything from character development to what a mark was. [A mark is a piece of tape or a chalked line where the actor stands in front of the camera]Much of what Dan had taught me, I find as important today as I did back then.
This is what I will always consider to be the beginning of my career. THE BAY BOY was a small but successful film, and was a critical success in both Canada and the US.
Within a year I moved to New York City and did some theater work at the Williamstown Theater Festival. I did some smaller showcases around town as well, but it wasn’t long before I found myself in Los Angeles, meeting with directors like Steven Spielberg and Rob Reiner.
It is this period in the early 80’s that I will remember as one of the most exciting and happy times of my life.
Hello Kiefer: Just dropping by to say hi! It's hard to be incognito in this area as it's a big city in the State of Washington although it was harder to be incognito in the city of San Francisco, CA. 2004 and Bay Point, CA. (located 40 mile northeast of San Francisco, CA). Flatliner continues to be my favorite film of yours. I also like watching 24. Take care, xo
Kiefer, thank you for adding me! Your wide range in films and tv is very impressive! Thank you for sharing your life story with us. I wish you continued success and happiness in your career! :o)
Have a wonderful Saturday Kiefer.. The sun is shining in the grate state of Florida this weekend.. and I plan on going to the beach to take beach photo's. can't wait for 24 to come back on.. you Rock. oxoxox Kathy,
Hello Kiefer, D E S I D E R A T A FOUND IN THE OLD ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, BALTIMORE ~ DATED 1692
GO PLACIDLY AMID THE NOISE AND HASTE, AND REMEMBER WHAT PEACE THERE MAY BE IN SILENCE. AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, WITHOUT SURRENDER, BE ON GOOD TERMS WITH ALL PERSONS. SPEAK YOUR TRUTH QUIETLY AND CLEARLY: AND LISTEN TO OTHERS, EVEN THE DULL AND IGNORANT; THEY TOO HAVE THEIR STORY. ~ AVOID LOUD AND AGGRESSIVE PERSONS: THEY ARE VEXATIONS TO THE SPIRIT. IF YOU COMPARE YOURSELF WITH OTHERS, YOU MAY BECOME VAIN AND BITTER: FOR ALWAYS THERE WILL BE GREATER AND LESSER PERSONS THAN YOURSELF. ENJOY YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS AS WELL AS YOUR PLANS. KEEP INTERESTED IN YOUR OWN CAREER. HOWEVER HUMBLE: IT IS A REAL POSSESSION IN THE CHANGING FORTUNES OF TIME. EXERCISE CAUTION IN YOUR BUSINESS AFFAIRS: FOR THE WORLD IS FULL OF TRICKERY. BUT LET THIS NOT BLIND YOU TO WHAT VIRTUE THERE IS. MANY PERSONS STRIVE FOR HIGH IDEALS: AND EVERYWHERE LIFE IS FULL OF HEROISM. ~ BE YOURSELF. ESPECIALLY, DO NOT FEIGN AFFECTION. NEITHER BY CYNICAL ABOUT LOVE: FOR IN THE FACE OF ALL ARIDITY AND DISENCHANTMENT IT IS PERENNIAL AS THE GRASS. ~ TAKE KINDLY THE COUNSEL OF THE YEARS, GRACEFULLY SURRENDERING THE THINGS OF YOUTH. NURTURE STRENGTH OF SPIRIT TO SHIELD YOU IN SUDDEN MISFORTUNE. BUT DO NOT DISTRESS YOURSELF WITH IMAGININGS. MANY FEARS ARE BORN OF FATIGUE AND LONELINESS. BEYOND A WHOLESOME DISCIPLINE, BE GENTLE, WITH YOURSELF ~ YOU ARE A CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE. NO LESS THAN THE TREES AND THE STARS: YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO BE HERE, AND WHETHER OR NOT IT IS CLEAR TO YOU, NO DOUBT THE UNIVERSE IS UNFOLDING AS IT SHOULD. ~ THEREFORE BE AT PEACE WITH GOD. WHATEVER YOU CONCEIVE HIM TO BE, AND WHATEVER YOUR LABORS AND ASPIRATIONS, IN THE NOISY CONFUSION OF LIFE KEEP PEACE WITH YOUR SOUL. ~ WITH ALL ITS SHAM, DRUDGERY AND BROKEN DREAMS, IT IS STILL A BEAUTIFUL WORLD. BE CAREFUL. STRIVE TO BE HAPPY.
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