Small screen action hero Kiefer Sutherland may play the part of unlucky-in-love Jack Bauer on 24, but in reality the actor's personal life is clearly keeping him very happy.
The dad-of-one was all smiles as he enjoyed an alfresco lunch with a couple of gal pals in LA on Monday afternoon. As one of the 40-year-old's chums showed off some baby clothes she had just bought, the other put her hand affectionately on the actor's head as they shared a joke.
Golden Globe winner Kiefer, who recently finished lensing silver screen thriller Mirrors in Romania, is seemingly enjoying the last lazy days of summer before starting work on the seventh season of his award-winning TV series next month.
Canadian fans will have to wait until next year to see how the action adventure unfolds, but one snippet of info already available is the identity of the latest addition to the show's cast. Ontario native Colm Feore is to take on the role of the US president's husband.