Actor Kiefer Sutherland was arrested on misdemeanour drunk driving charges today, US police said.

The star of the high-rating television show 24 failed a field sobriety test after he was pulled over by officers at around 1.10am local time today in western Los Angeles.

LA police officer Karen Smith said Sutherland tested over the state's legal blood alcohol limit of .08 percent, and was arrested on a misdemeanour charge of driving under the influence.

Officer Kevin Maiberger said police saw the 40-year-old making an illegal U-turn before they pulled him over.

He was taken to a Hollywood police station, charged and released at around 4am after posting $25,000 dollar (£12,500) bail, according to Sheriff's Department records. The actor was ordered to appear in court on October 16.

Last year Sutherland told Rolling Stone magazine he struggled with alcohol, and had previously been arrested for driving under the influence.

“It’s been the biggest problem for me. I have a few drinks and I'm not so worried about tomorrow and not thinking about yesterday. I am in this moment and I don't give a s*** about anything else. It's right out of the textbook on problem drinkers,” he said.

Sutherland was born in England but raised in Canada. He made his name in the 1980s in films such as Stand By Me and The Lost Boys. He went on to land parts in Nineties blockbusters A Few Good Men and Flatliners, but garnered more media attention for his relationship with Pretty Woman actress Julia Roberts. The pair became engaged in 1991, but Roberts ended the relationship three days before they were due to marry, embarking on a relationship with Sutherland’s friend actor Jason Patric.

In 2002, Sutherland swapped his film career for the role of CTU agent Jack Bauer in 24. He has since become a critics' favourite, and last year won a best actor Emmy award for his performance on the show.

The programme returns for a seventh series early next year.

Editor's choice

• U2 at Nou Camp Stadium, Barcelona
• The 50 Best Movie Villains
• The 15 golden rules of theatre etiquette