At a Glance
- Donald Sutherland, who died in June 2024, left behind five children from two marriages
- Twins Kiefer and Rachel were born to second wife Shirley Douglas; Roeg, Rossif and Angus arrived with third wife Francine Racette
- Kiefer faces assault charges after a Jan. 12 arrest; his sister Rachel stays behind the camera as a production manager
- Why it matters: The storied actor’s blended family now carries his Hollywood legacy through acting, music and film finance careers
Donald Sutherland’s screen presence spanned six decades, yet his most enduring production remains his five children. From 1966 to 1982 the actor built two families whose careers now stretch from acting and music to film finance and production.
The twins arrived first. Kiefer and Rachel Sutherland were born December 21, 1966, at St. Mary’s Hospital in London while Sutherland was married to actress Shirley Douglas. Three more sons followed after he wed Francine Racette: Roeg in 1974, Rossif in 1978 and Angus in 1982. When Sutherland died on June 20, 2024, Kiefer announced the loss on X, closing a chapter that began when the patriarch admitted he “wasn’t present much as a father when Kiefer was young.”
Kiefer Sutherland, 59
Kiefer stepped into the spotlight first. Television audiences know him as Jack Bauer on 24, a role he called “the worst breakup” he ever had when the series ended. Father and son finally shared the screen in 2016’s western Forsaken, a moment Kiefer had pursued for three decades.
Music followed acting. In 2016 he released Down in a Hole, an 11-song album co-written with producer Jude Cole. “I had no intention of making an album,” he told News Of Losangeles. “I’m completely aware of the stigma.”
Family life threaded through both careers. He is father to actress Sarah Sutherland, from his first marriage to Camelia Kath. After that divorce he became engaged to Julia Roberts, but the wedding was called off in 1991. A second marriage to Kelly Winn lasted from 1996 until their 2008 divorce.
Legal troubles punctuated his rise. A 2007 DUI was his fourth since 1989, earning 48 days in jail and five years’ probation. “I’m very disappointed in myself for the poor judgment,” he said then.
Most recently, Los Angeles police arrested him on January 12, alleging he “entered a rideshare vehicle, physically assaulted the driver and made criminal threats.” He was released on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court February 2.
Rachel Sutherland, 59
Rachel chose the quiet path. Unlike her twin, she works behind the camera as a production manager, staying largely out of headlines. Kiefer has called their twin bond vital: “Being a twin taught me the value of having a companion. Every time I experienced something I could turn to my left and share it.”
Roeg Sutherland, 51
Roeg was born February 5, 1974, in Los Angeles and charted a different Hollywood course. He works in Creative Artists Agency’s Media Finance division, packaging independent films and television. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in June 2020, he predicted the indie sector would survive COVID-19 because “survival is inherent in the business.”
Two years later he cheered audiences’ return to theaters. “Never has there been more money in the marketplace, ever,” he told Deadline in April 2022.
Rossif Sutherland, 47
Rossif’s entry into acting was accidental. While studying at Princeton he filled in for a student filmmaker and, upon seeing the footage, his father teared up. “Kid, that’s what you’re supposed to do,” Donald told him.
Born September 25, 1978, in Vancouver, Rossif moved to Paris at age seven. Dozens of credits followed, including The Handmaid’s Tale and the 2016 film River, which earned a Canadian Screen Award nomination. From 2013 to 2015 he starred in the series Reign.
He shrugs off strategy. “I’ve never been very strategic with my choices,” he told The Ex-Press, “and maybe my career has suffered for it.”
Angus Sutherland, 43
Angus Redford Sutherland arrived September 3, 1982. His middle name honors Robert Redford, one of Donald’s favorite directors. The elder Sutherland once recalled a maternity nurse objecting to “Redford” as a first name, so they compromised.
Like sister Rachel, Angus has worked both in front of and behind the camera, opting for a lower profile than his brothers.
Key Takeaways
- Donald Sutherland’s five children span two marriages and four decades
- Kiefer’s acting and music keep him in the spotlight amid ongoing legal issues
- Rachel and Angus favor behind-the-scenes roles, while Roeg finances indie projects and Rossif continues acting
- The family’s creative reach now covers talent agencies, production offices, concert stages and film sets
