By Jeffrey Jolson

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 1/20/08 – Kiefer Sutherland was released from jail today with a stoicism that would have done his gritty characters like Jack Bauer proud. He served his 48 days for drunken driving and violating probation and “never complained about anything,” according to Glendale Police Officer John Balian.

He even went into jail early, during the holidays, when he could have opted for a jollier Christmas. He was described as “humble” when he arrived for his stint at the city jail, which he chose over the harder county jail even though that would have meant less time due to overcrowded conditions.

Though his characters might have had a jailhouse brawl or two, the 41-year-old actor was termed a model inmate who “never gave us any problems,” according to Balian. But then again, Sutherland wasn’t plotting a daring jail break with other lifers, he spent most of his time on laundry duty with his starring role in “24” waiting for him.

He left the Glendale City Jail shortly after midnight after a series of court appearances after being arrested for drunken driving in September, while still on probation for a 2004 drunken-driving conviction.

He pleaded no contest in a deal with prosecutors that allowed him to serve his sentence without disrupting the show.

He must also serve five years probation, complete an 18-month alcohol education program and attend six months of weekly therapy sessions.

Sutherland, son of screen star Donald Sutherland, won an Emmy Award last year for starring as the terrorist-fighting secret agent Jack Bauer.

The show averaged 13.5 million viewers last year and returns this month for its seventh season on Fox.