Actor and musician Kiefer Sutherland has canceled the US leg of his upcoming tour, citing low ticket sales in a message shared with fans on social media.
“With great disappointment I am going to have to cancel the US leg of my tour due to very low ticket sales,” Sutherland wrote in a statement posted to his Instagram. “I don’t think it’s fair to the people who have bought tickets, or the venues, to play to half empty houses.”
The Stand By Me star added, “I look forward to touring the United States again at a more suitable time. I hope you understand.” Sutherland, 59, also noted that refunds will be available from the point of purchase.
European leg went well
The announcement comes as the actor continues promoting his fourth studio album, Grey, and follows a recent stretch of performances across Europe.
Just days earlier, Sutherland shared an update from the road after wrapping the European portion of the tour. “We played our last show in Europe in Belgium last night,” he said in a video. “I wanted to take a moment and thank all the venues and all of the audiences, you guys were amazing. We are now playing in the UK for the next month.”
From Jack Bauer to country music
While Sutherland is widely known for starring as Jack Bauer on *24* and President Tom Kirkman on Designated Survivor, he has spent the last several years building a parallel career in country music.
Earlier this year, Sutherland announced plans to tour in support of Grey, which he described on his website as a deeply personal project. “The songs were written and recorded over a two-year period from 2024 to 2026. In many ways these songs mark a growth for me personally, as I wrote less about observations and more about personal feelings,” he wrote.
He reflected on the album’s single “Simpler Time,” calling it “a reflection on my youth and the memory of a time that felt more reliable culturally, socially and politically.”
Overcoming the actor stigma
Sutherland previously opened up to PEOPLE about his initial reluctance to pursue music professionally, acknowledging the skepticism often surrounding actors who release albums.
“I had no intention of making an album. I hear about an actor wanting to do music and my eyes roll back too,” he told PEOPLE. “I’m completely aware of the stigma and that’s why I never did it.”
The actor said music had been part of his life since he was a teenager. His debut album, Down in a Hole, came together gradually after encouragement from collaborators. “I laughed at him and said, ‘That’s never going to happen,’ and somehow we had a few drinks and at the end of that night, it seemed like a better idea.”
What’s next
For now, Sutherland will continue performing in the UK, where dates are still moving forward. But the US cancellation is a reminder that even well-known actors face challenges when crossing over into music – especially in a competitive touring environment.
Sutherland remains hopeful about returning to American stages “at a more suitable time.” Until then, fans who bought tickets will get refunds, and Sutherland will focus on audiences where the seats are filling up.
