Kiefer Sutherland Arrested in Hollywood After Alleged Ride-Share Driver Assault Incident

13 January 2026

Kiefer Sutherland during a special screening of "Rabbit Hole" in New York City on March 23, 2023. Noam Galai / Getty Images for Paramount+

Actor Kiefer Sutherland, best known to millions for his Emmy-winning portrayal of Jack Bauer in 24, was arrested early on January 12, 2026 following an altercation with a ride-share driver in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles, drawing immediate attention to both his legal troubles and the demands of celebrity life. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers responded to a radio call just after midnight about a reported assault involving a ride-hail driver near the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue, where the 59-year-old actor was later identified as the suspect in what authorities described as a physical confrontation and criminal threats. The driver did not require medical attention at the scene, and Sutherland was taken into custody before being released on a $50,000 bond later that morning. His first court appearance is scheduled for February 2 at the Los Angeles Superior Court.

The incident came as a surprise to many fans who have followed Sutherland’s storied career in film and television. In the hours after the arrest, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that the actor was booked on suspicion of felony criminal threats, a charge that typically involves allegations of threatening violence against another person and can carry significant penalties if conviction follows. Although details remain under investigation and representatives for Sutherland have not publicly responded to requests for comment, the early morning encounter has already dominated headlines and raised questions about the circumstances that led to the confrontation.

In the immediate aftermath of his arrest, booking records show that Sutherland was processed at the LAPD jail and spent several hours in custody before posting bail and being released later that same day. Court records indicate that his scheduled appearance in early February will be his first step in what could be a protracted legal process involving attorneys and prosecutors weighing how to proceed with the charges. Supporters and critics alike have been watching closely, with some pointing to the actor’s decades-long career and others noting the seriousness of the allegations themselves.

Sutherland’s arrest adds a new chapter to a public history that has included several brushes with the law over the years. Legal records and reporting note that the actor has faced previous arrests related to alcohol-related offenses and other incidents dating back decades, making his recent detainment a reminder that fame and personal challenges sometimes intersect in very public ways.

Long before the Hollywood nightlife incident, Sutherland had etched his name into pop culture history with a range of memorable roles. His portrayal of Jack Bauer on 24 from 2001 until 2010 and in subsequent returns to the character brought him widespread acclaim and multiple awards, including Emmys and a Golden Globe. Outside of television, Sutherland’s film work includes turn-of-the-century classics such as Stand by Me, The Lost Boys, Young Guns and A Few Good Men, roles that highlighted his versatility as an actor with both dramatic range and intensity. He also stepped into political drama in the series Designated Survivor, further cementing his status as a respected figure in Hollywood.

The ride-share driver incident now puts that longstanding career momentarily into the background, at least in the news cycle, as law enforcement and court officials begin the process of sorting through what happened that night in Hollywood. Police have said that they responded after receiving a complaint from someone who reported an assault involving a rideshare driver, and their investigation led to Sutherland’s arrest at the scene. While the investigation is ongoing, the initial reports underscored that the alleged victim did not require significant medical treatment, a detail that may play a role in how the case is framed by both prosecution and defense in the weeks to come.

The arrest also drew immediate comparisons to other high-profile incidents where celebrities have faced legal scrutiny for off-duty conduct, underscoring how individuals with long public careers can find personal matters amplified in ways that ordinary citizens rarely experience. For Sutherland, whose work has spanned film, television and stage over several decades, the current situation represents both a personal and professional test as the legal process begins to unfold.

Outside the courtroom, fans and colleagues have taken to social media and entertainment forums to voice a wide range of reactions from concern for Sutherland’s wellbeing to debate over the implications of the allegations. Some have pointed to stress and pressures of life in the spotlight as possible context for the incident, while others have stressed the importance of due process and restraint until more facts are known. In all, the episode illustrates just how swiftly a news cycle can shift from celebration of an actor’s work to scrutiny of their private actions.

As the case moves forward with his February court date approaching, observers will be watching not just for legal developments but for any statements from Sutherland’s representatives or from the actor himself. Whatever the outcome, the arrest serves as a stark reminder of the complex interplay between celebrity, accountability and public perception in an age where even off-duty moments are rarely private.