Kiefer Sutherland chairs CFC's actors program

Kiefer Sutherland, the Canadian star of the hit TV series 24, has been named the chair of the Canadian Film Centre's Actors Conservatory.

The program, which provides extensive on-screen training for actors, is supported by Canwest and the Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation. It will officially launch on Sept. 21.

Participants and mentors are yet to be announced for the first five-month session of the program.

"I am honoured to contribute to Norman Jewison's legacy by offering the CFC my passion for storytelling, for Canada and its talent," the actor said in a statement released on Sunday. "The Actors Conservatory will have significant influence on the professional and creative lives of the actors attending and on our industry."

Sutherland, 42, an Emmy and Genie award winner, is the son of Canadian actors Shirley Douglas and Donald Sutherland.

Christine Shipton, senior vice-president of drama and factual programming at Canwest, hailed Sutherland's participation.

"With Kiefer Sutherland's commitment, the conservatory will not only generate renewed enthusiasm for Canadian actors but will help take our Canadian programming efforts to the next level," she said.

The conservatory — which will train and promote experienced screen and stage actors in Canada — was announced a year ago.

Funding for the program included a $1-million gift from the Linehan Foundation, which was created in memory of celebrity interviewer Brian Linehan, who died of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2004.