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.
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