Kiefer Sutherland’s Daughter Sarah Is A Regular On Hit Show But Many Don’t Realize Who She Is

Oct 21, 2022

Kiefer Sutherland is no stranger to Hollywood's bright lights and big city, being the son of the hugely popular actor in the 1970s and 1980s Donald Sutherland and actress Shirley Douglas. Many are fully aware of Kiefer's Hollywood heritage, but not many are aware that his 34-year-old daughter is carrying on the family business, too.

Donald made a name for himself through the success of films such as "Klute," "M*A*S*H," and "Ordinary People." Kiefer was born in 1966 and made his first foray into the entertainment industry in the 1980s. He hit the big time after starring in films such as "The Lost Boys," "Young Guns," and "Flatliners." 

It was on the set of "Flatliners" that Kiefer met Julia Roberts, and the pair struck up a romance. Their relationship was highly publicized, making him an even more recognizable name as one half of "Hollywood's reigning couple," which they were dubbed by the press. The media went into overdrive when it was revealed the then 23-year-old actress du jour and the 24-year-old Hollywood legacy were engaged to be married in June 1991. But three days before what was set to be the "fantasy wedding of the decade," according to People, Julia called it off and took off on a flight with Kiefer's best friend at the time, fellow actor Jason Patric.

With the frenzy of his young, torrid love life far behind him, Kiefer carried on acting. His career eventually gained a resurgence when he was cast as counter-terrorism agent Jack Bauer in the television show "24." The hit show ran for nine seasons and pushed Kiefer back into the limelight.

However, one person who wanted nothing to do with Kiefer's fame was his own daughter.

Kiefer's daughter Sarah Sutherland was born when the actor was only 22 years old and married to his first wife Camelia Kath, whom he divorced in 1990. Now 34, Sarah has followed in her father's footsteps, too. Despite appearing in the award-winning HBO hit "Veep" for its entire seven-season run, many were not aware that the woman playing the daughter of the titular Selina Meyer, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, was actually Kiefer's daughter. And perhaps, that was the point. 

After graduating from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, Sarah said she was determined to make a name for herself by herself. She told abc7 that, upon joining the cast of "Veep," she was intimidated, saying:

"Working with such heavyweight comedic improvisers, I really felt out of my depth. Like I'd kind of gotten this one-way ticket to this really foreign, beautiful, amazing planet where I got to learn all of these things."

In 2018, she even won a Screen Actors Guild award alongside the rest of the "Veep" cast for Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

In 2017, Kiefer revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that his father had tried to deter him from acting, and he had felt the same way when Sarah expressed her interest in doing it too.

"I was always grateful to my parents for letting me find my way," Kiefer told the publication, as reported by The Statesman.

"They were there if I wanted to talk to them but they never pushed me. In fact, both of my parents were disappointed that this was what I wanted to do. I think I felt the same way for my daughter."

Sarah then added:

"My father tried to lovingly deter me."

These days, Kiefer is nothing but thrilled with his daughter's work. The proud father told Kelly Ripa in 2016:

"She's an extraordinary actor. She gets mad when I talk about her publicly. … But the truth is, she's worked so hard to do this on her own. I couldn't even tell you her agent's name. I have no idea," he said, beaming.

He continued telling Ripa that when he approached his daughter to star in – not one – but two high-profile acting roles, including one that included her father and grandfather, she turned him down. He added to Ripa:

"I had a really interesting experience growing up. My parents, my mother is an actress and my father is an actor, never talked to me really about work. When I started working, they let me find my way. And my daughter has earned that as well. And so when we get to spend time together, we talk about family."

Sarah explained to abc7 that she wanted to progress in her acting career without having to fall back on her famous family heritage.

"For me personally, it was really important that it was something I did on my own terms and in my own way," she said.

She added when the family does get together, they don't talk shop. Despite this, she isn't embarrassed by or actively trying to hide their presence in her life.

"I'm very close with my father and grandfather, and I'm so proud to come from the family that I do. … Because independent of them as men, I admire them so much as actors," she said.

What a family legacy! Did you know Kiefer's daughter was also an actress? Have you watched her on "Veep?" Let us know, and don't forget to pass this along to friends and family.