What The Cast Of 24 Is Doing Today

On November 6, 2001, the Fox series 24 arrived on the airwaves, and throughout nine seasons and 200-plus episodes, it earned the distinction of becoming the longest-running U.S.-based espionage-themed show in television history. Led by Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer, an intrepid secret agent employed by Los Angeles' Counter Terrorism Unit (or CTU), 24 became a television legend thanks to its incredibly creative framework; each 24-episode season was set over the course of one (always insanely eventful) day in Bauer's life, with each individual episode taking place "in real time," or over the course of one hour. The series ended its original run in 2010, but in the years since, it's spawned multiple spinoffs, including 24: Live Another Day and 24: Legacy.

Throughout the course of Jack Bauer's 24 story, a huge variety of characters make their way in and out of his life, from family to trusted co-workers as well as various presidents and suspected terrorists. As such, the cast of 24 included some pretty huge Hollywood names, all centered around Sutherland's career-defining performance. Here's what has happened to some of 24's biggest stars since the show came to a close. Spoilers for the entirety of 24 to follow!

Jack had plenty of great co-workers throughout his tenure at CTU, but his most invaluable and loyal cohort was arguably Chloe O'Brian, who made her first appearance in the show's first season and stuck around for the entire remainder of the run. Played to perfection by Mary Lynn Rajskub, Chloe is the perfect right-hand man for Jack, showing nerves of steel and undying fealty to her boss and colleague, staying behind at CTU headquarters to correspond with Jack and show off her extraordinary computing skills. Often socially awkward, Chloe is one of 24's most vital characters despite her shyness — in season five, it's revealed that she's the only person who knows Jack is actually alive after he fakes his own death, proving that she's truly indispensable to both Jack and the CTU.

In addition to her longtime dramatic role in 24, Rajskub is a trained comedic talent; as well as sketch comedies like Mr. Show (which starred Bob Odenkirk and David Cross) and Kelsey Grammer's The Sketch Show, she also appeared on The Larry Sanders Show from 1996 to 1998 and has performed stand-up on shows with comedians like John Oliver. Modern comedy fans likely know her from her guest appearances as "Gail the Snail" on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and rom-com lovers might remember her from her supporting roles in films like Sweet Home Alabama and Julie & Julia. 

As 24 kicks off its first season, Jack Bauer is tasked with protecting a California senator whose life is suddenly in danger during his presidential campaign — specifically, David Palmer, played by Dennis Haysbert. Jack does his job and Palmer survives, eventually serving as the 24 universe's first African-American President during the second and third seasons, supporting Bauer and the CTU by giving them as much freedom as possible to investigate and take down suspected and confirmed terrorists. However, in the first few minutes of the show's fifth season, former President Palmer is shot and killed by an assassin, resulting in one of the show's most devastating losses.

Haysbert is an accomplished actor on screens of all sizes, but you might know him best from his long-running stint as the comforting Allstate spokesman, a job he's held since 2004. On the big screen, Haysbert has appeared in everything from Waiting to Exhale to Love & Basketball to Jarhead and Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, and he also led the cast of CBS' The Unit from 2006 to 2009. 

As Jack Bauer, Kiefer Sutherland served as the central focus of the show, with an hour of his life chronicled throughout each episode of its nine seasons — and as loyal fans of 24 know, Jack had some seriously crappy days throughout its run. No matter how dire Jack's situation often seemed as he fought terrorists for the CTU, viewers could count on him always getting back up to fight another day, and Sutherland's tough-as-nails demeanor and signature growl defined the show as a whole.

During his time on 24, Sutherland stayed incredibly busy, appearing in films like 2002's Phone Booth (with Colin Farrell) and 2004's Taking Lives (with Angelina Jolie). After the show ended, he showed up in everything from 2011's Melancholia to 2014's Pompeii and 2017's remake of Flatliners. Sutherland reprised his role as Jack Bauer in the television films 24: Redemption and 24: Live Another Day in 2008 and 2014, respectively, and from 2016 to 2019, he took on another leading network role as Thomas Kirkman in Designated Survivor, playing a politician elevated to President after a doomed State of the Union address.

Martha Logan was one of 24's most formidable First Ladies. The wife of President Charles Logan (Gregory Itzin), she struggled with mental illness while representing the United States on a national stage. The role required a versatile talent; luckily, Jean Smart was up to the job. During her tenure as First Lady, Martha relied on medication and even spent time in an institution, but beyond that, her strength was evident to those around her — including President David Palmer, with whom she shared a close relationship.

Smart received Emmy nods for her role as Martha Logan in 2006 and 2007 for Best Supporting Actress and Outstanding Guest Actress, respectively, and the rest of her resume is as accomplished as you might expect. If you're a classic sitcom fan, you probably caught Smart during her run on Frasier (for which she won two Emmy Awards) or leading turn in Designing Women; on the big screen, she's appeared in everything from Sweet Home Alabama to Garden State to A Simple Favor. However, Smart is most prolific on the small screen; over the years, she's starred in prestige projects like FX's Fargo, network comedies like Samantha Who?, sci-fi shows like Legion, and big budget adaptations like HBO's Watchmen. 

Throughout its run, 24 featured plenty of presidents, and with those presidents came cabinets populated by characters like Ethan Kanin (played by Bob Gunton). Throughout his run on 24, Kanin first appeared as President Wayne Palmer's (DB Woodside) Secretary of Defense in the sixth season, later serving as Chief of Staff and Secretary of State under President Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones), despite internal drama in the administration.

Gunton is known for much more than his role on 24, having made his mark in film and television by playing particularly strict characters — most notably authoritarian tyrants in The Shawshank Redemption, Demolition Man, and Patch Adams. Beyond the screen, Gunton is an accomplished stage actor who originated the role of President Juan Peron in the original Broadway run of Evita, playing alongside Patti LuPone (eventually earning a Tony nomination for the role). Other than 24, one of his most notable television roles was on Netflix's Daredevil, where he played Leland Owlsley, also known as "The Owl."

During his rise to power, President David Palmer benefits from a calming and supportive presence by his side, provided by Penny Johnson Jerald. Sherry Palmer watches her husband move from the Senate to the office of President. After the first season, Sherry and President Palmer get divorced, but her role in the 24 universe doesn't end there; without her ex-husband's knowledge, Sherry helps Jack Bauer fight against a conspiracy effort in the second season, and she helps President Palmer once again in the third season.

Before 24, Jerald was likely best known for her supporting appearances in projects such as The Larry Sanders Show and ER, as well as a vital role in The Color of Friendship and guest spots in hit shows like Frasier and The Practice. After appearing in Castle for almost 80 episodes, Jerald moved on to a leading role in the Seth MacFarlane-led The Orville.