
Rossif Sutherland: Biography, Net Worth and Family
There’s a quiet kind of acting career that runs far from red carpets and premieres, and Rossif Sutherland has built exactly that. Born into the Sutherland acting dynasty, he chose a path rooted in Canadian independent film and television, not Hollywood. Here’s a closer look at his family, his career choices, and how his trajectory stacks up against his half-brother Kiefer.
Full name: Rossif Racette-Sutherland ·
Born: September 25, 1978, Vancouver, Canada ·
Occupation: Actor ·
Father: Donald Sutherland ·
Half-brother: Kiefer Sutherland ·
Notable works: Hyena Road, Reign, Murder in a Small Town
Quick snapshot
- Born in Vancouver on September 25, 1978 (TV Insider (entertainment news outlet))
- Son of Donald Sutherland and Francine Racette (What to Watch (TV guide publication))
- Half-brother of Kiefer Sutherland (What to Watch)
- Studied philosophy at Princeton University (Tribute.ca (celebrity biography site))
- Exact current residence (city or province in Canada)
- Marital status and children (limited public confirmation)
- Reason for wearing an arm sling in a 2025 episode (speculated prop or injury)
- Net worth figure is an estimate from a single source and not independently verified
- Professional acting debut in Timeline (2003) (Tribute.ca)
- First lead role in Poor Boy’s Game (IMDb (film database))
- Played Nostradamus on Reign (Tribute.ca)
- Appeared in The Handmaid’s Tale, Three Pines (IMDb)
- Continues to work in Canadian and international indie productions (South China Morning Post (Hong Kong-based news outlet))
- No announced Hollywood blockbusters — consistent with his stated preference (South China Morning Post)
Here is a summary of key facts about Rossif Sutherland.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Rossif Racette-Sutherland |
| Date of birth | September 25, 1978 |
| Place of birth | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Father | Donald Sutherland |
| Mother | Francine Racette |
| Half-brother | Kiefer Sutherland |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Net worth (estimated) | $3 million |
Where does Rossif Sutherland live now?
Current residence
- Rossif Sutherland resides in Canada, not Hollywood (South China Morning Post)
- He was raised in both Vancouver and Paris, France (Screen Dollars (celebrity finance site))
Lifestyle and privacy preferences
- Has described himself as “allergic to Hollywood” in an interview with The Globe and Mail
- Prefers working on independent films and staying out of the tabloid spotlight
Bottom line: Rossif Sutherland has deliberately chosen a life away from the Hollywood machine. For fans of serious indie work, that means more nuanced performances. For those expecting a blockbuster career, it means he’ll stay under the radar.
Is Rossif Sutherland related to Kiefer?
Family tree
- Rossif is the half-brother of Kiefer Sutherland (What to Watch)
- They share the same father, Donald Sutherland
- Rossif’s mother is Francine Racette; Kiefer’s mother was Shirley Douglas (TV Insider)
Half-brother relationship
- Rossif is the middle of Donald Sutherland’s three sons with Francine Racette (Tribute.ca)
- The brothers have a close personal bond, despite the 12-year age gap
The pattern: two actors from the same father, but completely different career orbits. Kiefer hit global fame with 24; Rossif stayed in smaller, character-driven projects.
Who is Rossif Sutherland’s mother?
Francine Racette background
- Francine Racette is a retired Canadian actress (AlloCiné (French film database))
- She and Donald Sutherland married in 1972 and remained together until his death in 2024 (South China Morning Post)
- They had three sons: Rossif, Angus, and Roeg (Tribute.ca)
Family influence on career
- Growing up in a bilingual household (English and French) shaped his fluency and acting range
- Donald Sutherland’s long legacy provided both inspiration and a desire to forge his own path
Why this matters: Rossif’s French-Canadian upbringing gave him a distinct cultural footing that sets him apart from the typical Hollywood actor’s background.
Do Rossif and Kiefer Sutherland get along?
Public statements
- Kiefer has publicly praised Rossif’s acting in interviews, calling him “a wonderful actor”
- Rossif has spoken warmly about Kiefer, noting their shared love of acting and family
Shared projects
- They have not worked together on screen, but have expressed mutual respect
- Both attended events honoring their father’s career
The trade-off: a close family bond, but separate professional lanes. Kiefer’s massive fame never overshadowed their personal relationship, according to those close to them.
What is Rossif Sutherland’s net worth?
Estimated earnings
- Estimated net worth around $3 million (Screen Dollars)
- Income from acting roles in over 55 screen productions (South China Morning Post)
Sources of income
- Primarily film and television acting, with recurring roles in series like Reign and Murder in a Small Town
- Independent productions and Canadian broadcast contracts
Comparison with Kiefer Sutherland’s net worth
- Kiefer Sutherland’s net worth is estimated at $40 million (multiple celebrity net worth sources), roughly 13 times Rossif’s
- The disparity reflects Kiefer’s blockbuster career and endorsements, versus Rossif’s niche, indie-focused path
The catch: net worth differences highlight the financial trade-off of staying outside the Hollywood system. Rossif’s lower earnings are a deliberate sacrifice for creative freedom and privacy.
For a direct comparison between the Sutherland brothers, see the table below.
| Attribute | Rossif Sutherland | Kiefer Sutherland |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Rossif Racette-Sutherland | Kiefer William Frederick Dempsey George Rufus Sutherland |
| Date of birth | September 25, 1978 | December 21, 1966 |
| Mother | Francine Racette | Shirley Douglas |
| Net worth (estimated) | $3 million | $40 million |
| Career path | Independent film, Canadian TV | Blockbuster films, mainstream TV (24) |
Confirmed facts
- Rossif Sutherland is the son of Donald Sutherland and Francine Racette.
- He is the half-brother of Kiefer Sutherland.
- He has acted in productions such as Hyena Road and Reign.
- He has expressed a preference for living outside Hollywood.
What’s unclear
- Exact details of his current residence (city or province).
- Whether he is married or has children (no public confirmation).
- The reason for his arm sling in a 2025 episode (speculated to be a prop or injury).
- The exact net worth figure is an estimate and not independently verified.
Quotes from Rossif and Kiefer Sutherland
I’m allergic to Hollywood. I don’t like the culture, I don’t like the traffic, I don’t like the phoniness.
— Rossif Sutherland, interview with The Globe and Mail
Rossif is a wonderful actor. He’s incredibly talented and I’m so proud of the work he’s doing.
— Kiefer Sutherland, in a press interview
For anyone weighing a career in the entertainment industry, the Rossif Sutherland story offers a clear lesson: choosing independence over fame is a valid, if less lucrative, path. For Canadian audiences, his work represents a homegrown talent who stayed close to his roots. The trade-off is real — but it’s one he made consciously.
For more on actors from famous families, see James Brolin Biography: Age, Net Worth, Health, and Marriage and David James Elliott: JAG Star’s Life, Career, Net Worth.
cs.wikipedia.org, fr.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, tvguide.com, imdb.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Rossif Sutherland’s most famous role?
His most widely seen role is likely Nostradamus on the historical drama Reign (2013–2017). He also gained attention for his lead role in the film Hyena Road.
Does Rossif Sutherland have a wife?
According to IMDb, he married Celina Sinden in 2016. However, public confirmation of his current marital status is limited.
How tall is Rossif Sutherland?
His height is not officially listed in major sources, but he is often described as around 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) based on on-screen comparisons.
What happened to Rossif Sutherland’s arm?
In a 2025 episode of Murder in a Small Town, he appeared wearing an arm sling. The reason has not been confirmed — it could be a prop for the role or a real injury.
Is Rossif Sutherland in Game of Thrones?
No, he did not appear in Game of Thrones. The confusion likely stems from his half-brother Kiefer’s similar name, or from his role in the historical drama Reign.
What is Rossif Sutherland’s ethnicity?
He is of Scottish, German, and French-Canadian descent through his father Donald Sutherland, and French-Canadian through his mother Francine Racette.
How old is Rossif Sutherland?
He was born on September 25, 1978, making him 47 years old as of 2025.