Los Angeles, January 15, 2026 — Veteran actor Kiefer Sutherland, best known for his iconic role as counterterrorism agent Jack Bauer in the long-running television series 24, was arrested early Monday morning, January 12, 2026, in Hollywood after an alleged confrontation with a rideshare driver.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), officers responded around 12:15 a.m. PT to a radio call reporting an assault involving a rideshare driver near the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue. Following an investigation, authorities identified the suspect as Sutherland, 59. Police stated that he entered the rideshare vehicle, physically assaulted the driver (referred to as the victim), and made criminal threats toward them.
The driver did not sustain injuries requiring medical attention at the scene, per LAPD reports. Sutherland was arrested at the location on suspicion of felony criminal threats — a charge under California Penal Code section 422, which involves threats to kill or cause serious bodily injury intended to place the victim in reasonable fear.
Additional details from law enforcement sources and media outlets, including TMZ, indicate the incident escalated after Sutherland, who had called an Uber Black following dinner with a friend, repeatedly asked the driver to pull over and let him out. When the driver refused, Sutherland allegedly threatened, “Pull over or I’ll kill you,” before the physical altercation occurred. The driver reportedly called 911, and Sutherland remained cooperative while waiting for police.
Sutherland was booked into jail shortly after 4 a.m. and released later that morning after posting a $50,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Los Angeles County Superior Court on February 2, 2026, as the investigation by Hollywood Division detectives continues. Representatives for the actor have not issued a public statement, and the allegations remain unproven in court.
This marks Sutherland’s first reported legal encounter in over a decade. The Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning performer has a history of prior issues, including multiple DUI convictions in the 1990s and 2000s — notably serving 48 days in jail in 2007 — and an earlier assault allegation in 2009 involving a fashion designer, which was later resolved without formal charges.
Sutherland, the son of late actors Donald Sutherland and Shirley Douglas, has enjoyed a prolific career spanning films like The Lost Boys, A Few Good Men, and Phone Booth, as well as recent projects such as Netflix’s Stone Cold Fox and the holiday comedy Tinsel Town. The news of his arrest has drawn widespread coverage from outlets including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, NBC News, ABC News, and others, sparking discussions across social media platforms.
As the case proceeds, further developments — including any statements from involved parties or additional evidence — could influence the outcome. At present, the incident is treated as allegations pending judicial review.
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