4:20 PM
Seiken
Is 24 star Kiefer Sutherland want to take home Teen Choice award for myspace category next year? Sutherland recently launched his own MySpace profile and blogged his first entry.
Check out his first entry entitled "You Don’t Know Jack... Until Now"
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 WOOLF?. 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; A RAISIN IN THE SUN; and THE DOLLMAKER, 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.
I have put together a list of some of the films I have worked on over the years, both as an actor and a director, and look forward to telling you more about my new film, MIRRORS very soon.
All my best,
Kiefer
Check out his first entry entitled "You Don’t Know Jack... Until Now"
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 WOOLF?. 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; A RAISIN IN THE SUN; and THE DOLLMAKER, 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.
I have put together a list of some of the films I have worked on over the years, both as an actor and a director, and look forward to telling you more about my new film, MIRRORS very soon.
All my best,
Kiefer
Posted in: Kiefer Sutherland
2 comments:
It is an exciting honor to be leaving this comment for Kiefer Sutherland joins my space. I have watched his career over the years and was/am truly impressed by his ability to portray a character. Whether it be a town bully from 'Stand by me' or a vampire from 'The Lost Boys' or the intellectual character of 'Doc' from the 'Young Guns', his amazing ability to BECOME his character has always left me with a sense of awe. No doubt, I am an AVID 24 fan, and I must say that his portrayal of Jack Bauer is AWSOME. I look forward to seeing not only the rest of the developing 24 series, but all of his future endevors as well. If he reads this, THANK you Kiefer for allowing me time and again to be drawn into your many projects, and wish you all the best for your future, and hope to continue to enjoy your performances of a talented actor. Thanks.
Dear Kiefer, I have always thought that you had it easy as an actor, because of your father.... but you told all of us it wasn't so and for that I respect even more. I think that you are very talented actor, equal to your great father.Sorry, I didn't know about your mom being an actress. So it is not surprising that you are so good... genes from both sides show...
And by the way, you married my classmate and a friend from Michigan, Camelia Ortiz, with the nick name Boo and you have a lovely daughter. I got in touch with Boo after almost 30 years, since we lost contacts.I am very happy for that and sincerely hope to meet her.
I wish you success in your career and I am positive that you will be one of the actors that generations will remember.
Regards from Vlasta from Serbia.
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