48 days after checking into California’s Glendale City Jail on drunk driving charges, Keifer Sutherland is now a free man.
The actor was released just after midnight, Monday, CBC News reports.
Sutherland had to serve a full 30-day sentence plus another 18 days for probation violation in Glendale jail, a less-crowded suburban facility, instead of the downtown Los Angeles jail. Since Sutherland was able to switch jails, he was not eligible to end his sentence early for good behaviour or in case of overcrowding, according to CBC.
During his sentence, Sutherland is reported to have been on his best behaviour.
A police spokesman said the star of 24 had been a “model prisoner” and cleaned sheets, pillowcases and blankets just like any other prisoner.
“He was very humble, never complained,” officer John Balian said. “He didn’t give us any problems at all.”
Sutherland still has to complete rest of his sentencing that includes five years of probation, an 18-month alcohol education program and weekly therapy sessions for six months.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving wants Kiefer Sutherland pulled as the voice of Ford Canada since the actor holds three drunk driving convictions and is currently serving a 48-day jail sentence.
The man behind 24’s Jack Bauer is not a good spokesperson for the car company, said MADD Canada president Margaret Miller, CBC reports.
The advocacy group for victims of drunk driving said it is “tasteless” for Ford to keep a representative that contributes to the very issue the group advocates against.
MADD hopes Ford will find a more “deserving” Canadian celebrity for its campaign, according to CBC.
Ford Canada, however, stated that the star will stay as the voice of the company’s TV ads but that they will keep a close eye on the situation.
A hobbit is about to infiltrate the cast of Fox’s “24.”
Sean Astin, best known as the hobbit Sam from The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, will join the cast of the TV drama in time for season five.
Reuters reports Astin, 34, will play a new addition to the Counter Terrorist Unit in the real-time TV drama series.
The fifth season will premiere with two episodes on January 8, 2006 and two more on January 9. The episodes will run from 8-10 p.m.
On January 16, the fifth “hour” of “24″ will air in the show’s regular 9 p.m. Monday slot.
The series picks up 18 months after the final episode of season four, leaving Keifer Sutherland’s Jack Bauer presumed dead, but actually living a new life with a new love interest and her son.
Astin has been working non-stop since The Lord of the Rings wrapped in 2003 – he currently has six films in production, most notably Click, with Christopher Walken and Adam Sandler, and the animated movie Cat Tale.
