:Steven Seagal

Seagal was born on April 10, 1952, in Lansing, Michigan,{{cite web|url=http://stevenseagal.com/?page_id=26|title=Biography – Steven Seagal Official Website|access-date=August 4, 2014}} the son of Patricia Anne Fisher, a medical technician, and Samuel Seagal, a mathematics teacher. His mother was of Irish descent, while his father was Jewish.{{cite web|url=http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/scams/steven_seagal/index.html|title=Steven Seagal and the mob|access-date=November 6, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20110802134302/http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/scams/steven_seagal/index.html|archive-date=August 2, 2011}} His paternal grandparents were Russian Jewish immigrants.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jta.org/2018/08/05/united-states/russia-names-actor-steven-seagal-special-representative-russian-u-s-humanitarian-ties|title = Russia names actor Steven Seagal special representative for Russian-US humanitarian ties|date = August 5, 2018}} During an interview for the Russian talk show Let Them Talk, Seagal stated that he has paternal ancestors from the Siberian city of Vladivostok, as well as Belarus and Saint Petersburg. He claims that genetic testing determined that he has Yakut and Buryat ancestry as well.{{cite web|title=Russian citizen Steven Seagal reveals his Siberian roots|url=https://siberiantimes.com/other/others/news/n0811-russian-citizen-steven-seagal-reveals-his-siberian-roots/|date=December 9, 2016|access-date=August 17, 2022|website=The Siberian Times|quote=The star told how he hopes to visit Lake Baikal 'a lot' because his paternal roots are from here – in the Buddhist republic of Buryatia. But he also has Yakut blood, he said. 'My father comes from Vladivostok,' [...] We have family from Siberia, we have family from Belarus, family from, apparently, St. Petersburg.|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220901013940/https://siberiantimes.com/other/others/news/n0811-russian-citizen-steven-seagal-reveals-his-siberian-roots/|archive-date=September 1, 2022}} When he was 5, Seagal moved with his parents to Fullerton, California. His mother later told People magazine that prior to the move Seagal was frail and suffered from asthma: "He was a puny kid back then. But he really thrived after the move [from Michigan]."

Seagal attended Buena Park High School in Buena Park, California, and Fullerton College between 1970 and 1971. Seagal has been described as a “pathological liar”{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/arid-30084559.html|title=Seagal 'known all over Hollywood as a liar'|date=January 16, 2003|work=Irish Examiner}} due to his propensity of making greatly exaggerated or outright fabricated statements about his personal life and achievements. For instance, Seagal has claimed that he was a student of the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba; despite the fact that Ueshiba died in 1969 when Seagal was 17 and five years before Seagal moved to Japan at age 22 — when he moved there to allegedly avoid the draft for the Vietnam War by marrying a Japanese national.{{cite news|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20113675,00.html|title=Sure, He's Making a Box-Office Killing—but Who Is Steven Seagal?|last1=Farrell|first1=Mary H.J.|date=November 19, 1990|work=People|access-date=March 12, 2011|last2=Benet|first2=Lorenzo|last3=Fuhrman|first3=Janice}}

According to Seagal's first wife, Miyako Fujitani: "I met Steven in California in the fall of 1974. He followed me back to Japan in October. We got married in December 1974." Fujitani was a second-degree black belt and daughter of an Osaka aikido master who had come to Los Angeles to teach aikido. After they married, they had a son, Kentaro, and a daughter, Ayako. Seagal taught at the school owned by Miyako's family and earned his aikido black belt in 1978. Interviewed in 1993, Fujitani stated that: "The only reason Steven was awarded the black belt was because the judge, who was famous for his laziness, fell asleep during Steven's presentation. The judge just gave him the black belt."

Seagal has claimed that he helped train CIA agents in Japan: "They saw my abilities, both with martial arts and with the language. You could say that I became an advisor to several CIA agents in the field, and through my friends in the CIA, I met many powerful people and did special works and favors." Fujitani has refuted these allegations and has also dismissed Seagal's claims that he had combatted yakuza. There is no evidence that Seagal has ever worked with the Central Intelligence Agency. In the early-1980s, Seagal had aspirations to return to America and become a movie star. Fujitani then "scrimped and saved for years, even denying herself and her children necessities, to help pay his way home." According to Fujitani, "he then availed himself of her savings and hied off."

Seagal returned to Taos, New Mexico, with his student (and later film stuntman) Craig Dunn, where they opened a dojo, although Seagal spent much of his time pursuing other ventures. After another period in Japan, Seagal returned to the United States in 1983 with senior student Haruo Matsuoka. They opened an aikido dojo, initially in North Hollywood, but later moved it to the city of West Hollywood. Seagal left Matsuoka in charge of the dojo, which the latter ran until the two parted ways in 1997.{{cite web|url=http://www.blackbeltmag.com/daily/martial-arts-entertainment/martial-art-movies/haruo-matsuoka-on-steven-seagal-and-aikido%E2%80%99s-history-in-america/|title=Haruo Matsuoka on Steven Seagal and Aikido's History in America|last1=Cheng|first1=Mark|author-link1=Mark Cheng|date=June 9, 2011|publisher=Black Belt|access-date=August 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809145545/http://www.blackbeltmag.com/daily/martial-arts-entertainment/martial-art-movies/haruo-matsuoka-on-steven-seagal-and-aikido%E2%80%99s-history-in-america/|archive-date=August 9, 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thebraziltimes.com/story/1659515.html|title=Aikido Institute hosting seminar with renowned martial artist|date=August 25, 2010|publisher=Brazil Times|access-date=August 8, 2014}}{{cite journal|last1=Cheng|first1=Mark|author-link1=Mark Cheng|date=April 2004|title=Thundering AIKIDO: Former Steven Seagal Protégé Haruo Matsuoka Speaks About the Early Days of Aikido in America|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ktsDAAAAMBAJ&pg=106|journal=Black Belt|publisher=Cheryl Angelheart|page=106|issn=0277-3066|oclc=4949089|access-date=August 8, 2014}} In the early 1980s, Seagal had his first experiences in the film industry by working as a fight coordinator on The Challenge (1982) which was shot in Japan,{{cite web|url= https://lastmovieoutpost.com/retro-review-the-challenge-1982/|title= Retro Review: THE CHALLENGE (1982)|website=lastmovieoutpost.com|date=September 15, 2023|access-date=February 7, 2025}} and Never Say Never Again (1983).{{cite web|url= https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/when-steven-seagal-broke-sean-connerys-wrist/|title="I got a little cocky": When Steven Seagal broke Sean Connery's wrist|author=Scott Campbell|website= Far Out|date=March 27, 2024|access-date=February 7, 2025}}

Later in his career, Seagal helped train Brazilian mixed martial artist Lyoto Machida, who credited Seagal for helping him perfect the front kick that he used to knock out Randy Couture at UFC 129 in May 2011.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/23455/machida-credits-training-changes-seagal-for-ufc-129-win-over-couture.mma|title=Machida credits training changes, Seagal for UFC 129 win over Couture|author=John Morgan|publisher=MMAjunkie|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110505080023/http://mmajunkie.com/news/23455/machida-credits-training-changes-seagal-for-ufc-129-win-over-couture.mma|archive-date=May 5, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/23445/ufc-129-main-card-results-st-pierre-outjabs-shieldss-aldo-retains-in-thrilling-finish.mma|title=UFC 129 main card results: St-Pierre outjabs Shields, Aldo retains in thrilling finish|publisher=MMAjunkie|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504122001/http://mmajunkie.com/news/23445/ufc-129-main-card-results-st-pierre-outjabs-shieldss-aldo-retains-in-thrilling-finish.mma|archive-date=May 4, 2011}}

In 1987, Seagal began work on his first film as an actor, Above the Law (titled Nico in Europe), with director Andrew Davis. Seagal was asked to make the film by agent Michael Ovitz, who reportedly became convinced that Seagal had movie star potential after taking aikido classes with him.{{cite news|title= Steven Seagal Gets a Shot at Stardom |work= Los Angeles Times|date=February 14, 1988|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-02-14-ca-42829-story.html|access-date=November 29, 2010|first=Patrick|last=Goldstein}} Ovitz financed Seagal's successful screen test, which led Seagal to be offered a contract by Warner Bros.{{cite news | first=Vincent | last=Canby | title= 'Above the Law,' a Detective's Battle | work=The New York Times | url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=940DE7D91E3CF93BA35757C0A96E948260 | date=April 8, 1988 | access-date=September 10, 2010}} Ovitz' role in starting Seagal's acting career led to a long-standing, unfounded rumor that the agent had made a bet that he could turn anyone into a movie star and decided to bank on his martial arts teacher to win his wager.{{cite news|title= Debunking the myth that Steven Seagal owes his career to a bet|website= Far Out|date=November 2, 2023|url= https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/debunking-myth-steven-seagal-owes-career-to-bet/|access-date=February 6, 2025|first=Tom|last=Leatham}} Above the Law was a success, grossing $18,869,631 in the U.S.{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=abovethelaw.htm |title=ABOVE THE LAW |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=November 22, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091219085110/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=abovethelaw.htm| archive-date=December 19, 2009 |url-status = live}} and Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times stated "It contains 50 percent more plot than it needs, but that allows it room to grow in areas not ordinarily covered in action thrillers."{{cite news|first=Roger|last=Ebert|author-link=Roger Ebert|title=Above the Law|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/above-the-law-1988|work=Rogerebert.com|access-date=June 8, 2020}} Following its success, Seagal's subsequent movies were Hard to Kill, Marked for Death, and Out for Justice; all were box office hits and made Seagal an action hero. Janet Maslin of The New York Times wrote, "Mr. Seagal is effective for both his novelty value and his ability to be both literally and figuratively disarming."{{cite news|title= Review/Film; Out of a Coma, Still Dapper and Disarming|work=The New York Times|date=February 10, 1990|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/10/movies/review-film-out-of-a-coma-still-dapper-and-disarming.html|access-date=December 14, 2010|first=Janet|last=Maslin}}

Seagal achieved mainstream success in 1992 with the release of Under Siege, which reunited him with director Andrew Davis for what critics described as "Die Hard on a battleship". Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 79% based on reviews from 28 critics. The site's consensus states: "A well-directed action thriller that makes the most of its confined setting, Under Siege marks a high point for early '90s action—and its star's spotty filmography."{{Rotten Tomatoes|under_siege}} Reviewers praised Tommy Lee Jones and Gary Busey's performances as the film's villains,{{cite news |author= Roger Ebert | author-link= Roger Ebert |title= Under Siege|newspaper= Chicago Sun-Times |url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/under-siege-1992 |access-date=2010-09-10}}{{cite news |date= 1992-10-09 |first=Vincent |last=Canby |title=Review/Film; Steven Seagal on a Ship in Hot Water |newspaper= The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/09/movies/review-film-steven-seagal-on-a-ship-in-hot-water.html |access-date=2010-09-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140304172516/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/09/movies/review-film-steven-seagal-on-a-ship-in-hot-water.html |archive-date= March 4, 2014 }}{{cite news|title= 'Under Siege' Delivers Laughs, Thrills|newspaper= Los Angeles Times |date=1992-10-09|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-09-ca-431-story.html|access-date=2010-09-10|first=Michael|last=Wilmington}} and it is often considered Seagal's best film to date.{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/best-steven-seagal-movies-ranked/|title=The 10 Best Steven Seagal Movies, Ranked|website=Screen Rant|date=19 March 2019 |access-date=19 March 2019|quote=Under Siege is possibly Steven Seagal's most famous action movie, and arguably his best.}}

On April 20, 1991, Seagal hosted Season 16, Episode 18 of Saturday Night Live. The series' long-time executive producer Lorne Michaels and cast-members David Spade and Tim Meadows called Seagal the show's "worst host ever". Spade and Meadows cited Seagal's humorlessness, his ill-treatment of the cast and writers, and his refusal to do a "Hans and Franz" sketch because the skit's title characters had previously said that they could "beat up Steven Seagal". Seagal has never been invited back to the show.Venable, Nick (October 29, 2015). [https://www.cinemablend.com/television/Worst-Saturday-Night-Live-Host-Ever-According-David-Spade-95517.html "The Worst Saturday Night Live Host Ever, According To David Spade"]. CinemaBlend.Miller, James Andrew; Shales, Tom (October 6, 2015). [https://books.google.com/books?id=KoNUBAAAQBAJ&dq=steven+seagal+%22just+wasn%27t+funny%22+%22Live+From+New+York%22&pg=PT386 Live From New York: The Complete, Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live as Told by Its Stars, Writers, and Guests]. Back Bay Books. p. 386. Archived at Google Books. Retrieved October 29, 2015. Meadows commented, "He didn't realize that you can't tell somebody they're stupid on Wednesday and expect them to continue writing for you on Saturday."

SNL cast member Julia Sweeney later recalled that Seagal "had this idea that he's a therapist and he wanted Victoria Jackson to be his patient who's just been raped. And the therapist says, 'You're going to have to come to me twice a week for like three years," because, he said, 'That's how therapists freaking are. They're just trying to get your money.' And then he says that the psychiatrist tries to have sex with her." The cast and crew's difficulties with Seagal were later echoed on-air by Michaels during guest host Nicolas Cage's monologue in the September 26, 1992, Season 18 premiere. When Cage worried that he would do so poorly that the audience would regard him as "the biggest jerk who's ever been on the show", Michaels replied: "No, no. That would be Steven Seagal."[http://snltranscripts.jt.org/92/92amono.phtml "Season 18: Episode 1"]. Saturday Night Live Transcripts. Retrieved October 29, 2015.

Seagal directed and starred in On Deadly Ground (1994), featuring Michael Caine, R. Lee Ermey, and Billy Bob Thornton in minor supporting roles. The film emphasized environmental and spiritual themes, signaling a break with his previous persona as a genre-ready inner-city cop. On Deadly Ground was poorly received by critics,{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/on_deadly_ground/ |title=On Deadly Ground |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=July 12, 2014}} especially denouncing Seagal's long environmental speech in the film. Regardless, Seagal considers it one of the most important and relevant moments in his career. Seagal followed this with a sequel to one of his most successful films, Under Siege, titled Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995).{{cite news|title=FILM REVIEW; All Aboard for Cataclysm And Just Forget the Bar Car|newspaper=The New York Times|date=1995-07-15|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/15/movies/film-review-all-aboard-for-cataclysm-and-just-forget-the-bar-car.html|access-date=2010-09-10|first=Stephen|last=Holden|archive-date=2022-10-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012235944/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/15/movies/film-review-all-aboard-for-cataclysm-and-just-forget-the-bar-car.html|url-status=live}} According to co-star Morris Chestnut, Seagal rewrote many of the scenes he was in. "The only time they really stuck to the script or had ad libs was the stuff when he really wasn't there. It was a lot of stuff, because at that time I think he was flying a helicopter, he was doing something... He would come to set, "Okay, you're gonna say this. I'm gonna say this and this is gonna happen and then you do that." That's how we did a lot of that movie."{{cite web|url=http://www.craveonline.com/site/750069-exclusive-interview-morris-chestnut-legends-siege-2#9BOZeTCMp4EYbzwK.99|website=Craveonline|title=EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: MORRIS CHESTNUT ON 'LEGENDS' AND UNDER SIEGE 2|first=Fred|last= Topel|date=August 27, 2014}}

In 1996, Seagal had a role in the Kurt Russell film Executive Decision, portraying a special ops soldier who appears in only the film's first 45 minutes. Former Warner Bros Vice President Bill Daly later stated Seagal agreed to the role in exchange for the studio forgiving him losing his director's salary due to going over-budget with On Deadly Ground.{{cite web |last1=Dettenmaier |first1=Ethan |title=Why Seagal was killed in Exec Decision? Former WB VP Bill Daly & I remember our days w/'The Steven' |date=June 9, 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM57RMC0Oa8 |publisher=Brigade-Radio-One |access-date=June 16, 2023}} The same year, he filmed a police drama The Glimmer Man (1996). In another environmentally conscious and commercially unsuccessful film, Fire Down Below (1997), he played an EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance agent fighting industrialists dumping toxic waste in the Kentucky hills.{{cite news|title= Steven Seagal Foils Toxic Villains in 'Fire' |work= The Los Angeles Times|date=1997-09-08|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-sep-08-ca-29972-story.html|access-date=2010-11-25|first=Gene|last=Seymour}}

In 1998, Seagal made The Patriot, another environmental thriller which was his first direct-to-video release in the United States (though it was released theatrically in most of the world). Seagal produced this film with his own money, and the film was shot on-location on and near his farm in Montana. After producing Prince of Central Park, Seagal returned to cinema screens with the release of Exit Wounds in March 2001. The film had fewer martial arts scenes than Seagal's previous films, but it was a commercial success, taking almost $80 million worldwide. It was considered at the time to be a "comeback" for Seagal.{{cite web|title=Exit Wounds Thriller Makes Healthy Debut at No. 1|work=Los Angeles Times|date=March 19, 2001|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-mar-19-ca-39662-story.html|access-date=October 26, 2010}} However, Seagal was unable to capitalize on this success and his next two projects were both critical and commercial failures. The movie Ticker, co-starring Tom Sizemore and Dennis Hopper, was filmed in San Francisco before Exit Wounds, and went straight to DVD. Half Past Dead, starring hip hop star Ja Rule, made less than $20 million worldwide. It was ranked in a Rotten Tomatoes editorial on the 100 worst movies of all time.{{cite web|url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/worst-movies-of-all-time/|title=Bad Movies: The 100 Worst Movies of All Time|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango Media|access-date=February 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221044238/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/worst-movies-of-all-time/|archive-date=February 21, 2024|url-status=live}} Seagal was also nominated for Worst Actor at the 2002 Stinkers Bad Movie Awards and the 23rd Golden Raspberry Awards.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/feb/10/filmnews.film|title=Raspberry time for Hollywood's worst|last=Campbell|first=Duncan|newspaper=The Guardian|date=February 9, 2003|access-date=December 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524145846/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/feb/10/filmnews.film|archive-date=May 24, 2022|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Past Winners Database|url=http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/year/2002/2002st.htm|website=The Envelope at LA Times|access-date=September 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070815213025/http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/year/2002/2002st.htm|archive-date=August 15, 2007}}

Other than his role as a villain in Robert Rodriguez's Machete (2010), almost all the films Seagal has made since the latter half of 2001 have been released direct-to-video (DTV) in North America, with some theatrical releases to other countries around the world. Seagal is credited as a producer and sometimes a writer on many of these DTV movies, which include Black Dawn, Belly of the Beast, Out of Reach, Submerged, Kill Switch, Urban Justice, Pistol Whipped, Against the Dark, Driven to Kill, A Dangerous Man, Born to Raise Hell, and The Keeper. Beyond the Law (2019) is one of Seagal's few movies to have had a theatrical release in North America since Machete.{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/johnny-messner-dmx-and-steven-seagal-fill-people-with-bullets-in-beyond-the-law-redband-trailer-exclusive-video/|title=Johnny Messner, DMX and Steven Seagal Fill People With Bullets in 'Beyond the Law' Redband Trailer (Exclusive Video)|website=TheWrap|date=December 3, 2019 |accessdate=December 3, 2019}}

In 2009, A&E Network premiered the reality television series Steven Seagal: Lawman, focusing on Seagal as a deputy in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. In the 2010s, Seagal's direct-to-video films increasingly started to become ensemble pieces, with Seagal playing minor or supporting roles, despite the fact that he often received top billing. Maximum Conviction, Force of Execution, Gutshot Straight, Code of Honor, Sniper Special Ops, The Asian Connection, The Perfect Weapon, Cartels, and China Salesman all exemplify this trend. This has led some commentators to criticize Seagal for his low-effort participation in movies which heavily promote his involvement.{{cite news|newspaper= Los Angeles Times |last=Murray|first=Noel|title=Steven Seagal is the big name, but crime thriller 'Cartels' would have been better off without him|date=July 6, 2017|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-mini-cartels-review-20170706-story.html}}{{cite web |url=http://outlawvern.com/2016/05/09/sniper-special-ops/ |title=Sniper: Special Ops |last=Vern |date=May 9, 2016 |website=Vern's Reviews: On The Films Of Cinema |access-date=June 19, 2020}}

File:Steven Seagal at Astana Action Film Festival.JPG

In 2011, Seagal produced and starred in an American television action series entitled True Justice. The series first aired on Nitro, a TV station in Spain, on May 12, 2011.{{cite web|title=Nitro estrena Justicia Extrema|url=http://www.antena3.com/nitro/steven-seagal-propia-ley/noticias/nitro-estrena-propia-ley_2011051102244.html|publisher=Nitro|access-date=July 30, 2011|language=Spanish|date=May 11, 2011|quote=NITRO, the channel Antena 3, is converted from tomorrow Thursday at 22:15 am in the first World Television to broadcast the series Extreme Justice (True Justice), starring and produced by Steven Seagal.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927213022/http://www.antena3.com/nitro/steven-seagal-propia-ley/noticias/nitro-estrena-propia-ley_2011051102244.html|archive-date=September 27, 2013}} It premiered in the UK on 5 USA, with the first episode broadcast July 20, 2011.{{cite web|title=Season 1 – Dark Vengeance, Part 1|url=http://www.channel5.com/shows/true-justice/episodes/dark-vengeance-part-1|publisher=5USA|access-date=July 30, 2011|date=July 2011}} The series was renewed for a second season airing on ReelzChannel.{{cite news |url=https://deadline.com/2012/04/reelzchannel-orders-second-season-of-steven-seagals-true-justice-262369/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829232829/http://deadline.com/2012/04/reelzchannel-orders-second-season-of-steven-seagals-true-justice-262369/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 29, 2014 |title=ReelzChannel Orders Second Season Of Steven Seagal's 'True Justice' |date=April 26, 2012 |first=Nellie |last=Andreeva|work=Deadline Hollywood}} In the UK, True Justice was repackaged as a series of DVD movies, with each disc editing together two episodes.

At the height of his career, Seagal was one of the biggest action movie stars in the world, and one of the most successful martial arts actors of the 1980s and 1990s, alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme.{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Matthew |date=2023-02-05 |title=Why Jean-Claude Van Damme Took Years To Admit To His Affair With This Music Superstar |url=https://www.thethings.com/jean-claude-van-damme-affair-with-kylie-minogue/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=TheThings |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Scucci |first=Rob |date=2022-11-28 |title=Jean-Claude Van Damme or Steven Seagal: Who had the Better Career? |url=https://movieweb.com/jcvd-vs-seagal-better-career/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=MovieWeb |language=en}} Credited with popularising aikido in film, Seagal is considered an important figure in the development and popularization of East Asian martial arts in the West.{{cite web | url=https://www.wingchunnews.ca/the-truth-about-steven-seagals-aikido/ | title=The Truth About Steven Seagal's Aikido | date=June 29, 2022 }}

Many of Seagal's films share unique elements which have become characteristic of his body of work. His characters often have an elite past affiliation with the CIA, Special Forces, or Black Ops (for example, Casey Ryback in Under Siege, a former Navy SEAL, Jack Cole in The Glimmer Man, an ex-CIA police detective, or Jonathan Cold in The Foreigner and Black Dawn, an ex-CIA Black Ops freelancer). His characters differ from those of other action movie icons by virtue of their near-invulnerability; they rarely face any significant physical threat, easily overpowering any opposition and seldom facing bodily harm or even temporary defeat.{{cite book|title=Seagalogy: A Study of the Ass-Kicking Films of Steven Seagal.|last=Vern|publisher=Titan Books|year=2008|page=12}} Two notable exceptions are Executive Decision (1996), in which Seagal's character is introduced as a false protagonist only to be killed halfway through{{cite web |url=http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/executive-decision-1996 |title=Executive Decision |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |work=Chicago Sun-Times |date=March 15, 1996 |access-date=September 27, 2014 }} and Machete (2010), which features Seagal in a rare villainous role.{{cite news|title=Growl, and Let the Severed Heads Fall Where They May|work=The New York Times|author-link=Stephen Holden|author=Holden, Stephen|date=September 2, 2010|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/03/movies/03machete.html?mcubz=1}}

Seagal's films also frequently reflect aspects of his personal life. His music appears in several of his films (for example, Into the Sun and Ticker, where he appears as part of a bar band), as does his fluency in other languages (he speaks Japanese in Into the Sun) and religion (Buddhism features prominently in The Glimmer Man and Belly of the Beast). His past as an aikido teacher is also incorporated into several films, for example Above the Law (which opens with a montage of real-life photos from Seagal's own past) or Shadow Man, where he is seen giving an aikido demonstration. Several of his films also feature prominent political messages, most notably the environmentalism evident in On Deadly Ground.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/8B0np_o1VBg Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20120704172025/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B0np_o1VBg&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media|author=edstar83|title=Steven Seagal On Deadly Ground. 1994 Ending Speech!|date=July 10, 2010 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B0np_o1VBg|format=video|via=YouTube|access-date=December 20, 2017}}{{cbignore}}

While Seagal's acting in Above the Law gained praise from the likes of Roger Ebert, Seagal has repeatedly faced criticism from both critics and fans who accuse him of playing the same character in many of his movies, as well as displaying a lack of emotional range. In fact, his typecasting has been informally referred to as "Seagalism" and has become the subject of much parody. In 2008, author and critic Vern published Seagalogy, a work which examines Seagal's filmography using the framework of auteur theory. Vern describes themes of government corruption (particularly involving the CIA), environmentalism, and adoption of foreign cultures as being examples of recurrent motifs in Seagal's films, among a variety of others. The first edition breaks Seagal's career into four chronological "eras", marked by specific differences in style and content. The 2012 updated edition adds a fifth era.{{cite web |url=http://www.craveonline.com/film/reviews/186519-review-seagalogy-a-study-of-the-ass-kicking-films-of-steven-seagal-updated-and-expanded-edition |title=Review: Seagalogy (Updated and Expanded Edition) A badass study of the badass films of Steven Seagal, treated like they were Shakespeare |last1=Seibold |first1=Witney |date=April 11, 2012 |website=Fixist |accessdate=March 9, 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.coolasscinema.com/2012/04/cool-ass-cinema-book-reviews-bone.html |title=Cool Ass Cinema Book Reviews: Bone Breaking, Ass Kicking Edition! |date=April 11, 2012 |website=Cool Ass Cinema |accessdate=March 9, 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.flixist.com/book-seagalogy-updated-and-expanded-edition--208924.phtml |title=Book: Seagalogy (Updated and Expanded Edition) |last1=Vigilla |first1=Hubert |date=April 6, 2012 |website=Fixist |accessdate=March 9, 2014}}

These chronological "eras" describe different phases of Seagal's career, and include the "Golden Era" (1988–1991), the period of Seagal's first successes, the "Silver Era" (1992–1997), during which Seagal saw the peak of his fame and made high-profile blockbusters, a "Transitional Period" (1998–2002) during which he made lower-profile or ensemble films, a lengthy "direct-to-video" period (his most prolific to date, 2003–2008) and, in the 2012 updated addition, a "Chief Seagal" period (2009–present) during which Seagal moved into television and began reflecting elements of his Steven Seagal: Lawman persona in his films.{{cite book |last= Vern |date=April 3, 2012 |title= Seagalogy: The Ass-Kicking Films of Steven Seagal |publisher= Titan Books |pages= ii–iv |edition=New Updated |isbn=978-0857687227}}

File:Steven Seagal 2.jpg

Seagal plays the guitar and among his extensive collection are guitars previously owned by "the Kings"; Albert, BB, and Freddie, as well as Bo Diddley, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Jimi Hendrix.Marshall, Wolf. [http://www.vintageguitar.com/3813/albert-kings-flying-vs/ "Albert King's Flying Vs"], Vintage Guitar, published June 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2016. In 2004, he released his first album, Songs from the Crystal Cave, which has a mix of pop, world, country, and blues music. It features duets with Tony Rebel, Lt. Stichie, Lady Saw, and Stevie Wonder. The soundtrack to Seagal's 2005 film Into the Sun features several songs from the album. One of his album tracks, "Girl It's Alright", was also released as a single in several countries alongside an accompanying music video. Seagal's second album, titled Mojo Priest, was released in April 2006 and spawned a concert tour.{{cite web |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/sammy-hagar-steven-seagal-concert/ |title=The Night Steven Seagal Opened for Sammy Hagar |last=Wardlaw |first=Matt |date=2021-07-10 |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=2024-08-08}} Thom Jurek of AllMusic panned the album, rating it 1.5 stars out of 5 and stating that Seagal's guitar playing "rarely rises above bar band pedigree" and that "all of this music takes itself so seriously that it borders on delusional excess."{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/mojo-priest-mw0000440877|title=AllMusic Review by Thom Jurek |website=AllMusic |accessdate=12 January 2016}}

Seagal has been a Reserve Deputy Chief in the Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, Sheriff's Office. In the late 1980s, after teaching the deputies martial arts, unarmed combat, and marksmanship, then-sheriff Harry Lee (1932–2007) asked Seagal to join the force. Seagal's rank in Louisiana was ceremonial.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-dec-02-la-et-lawman2-2009dec02-story.html |title=Steven Seagal gets to play cop |date=December 2, 2009 |first=Scott |last=Glover |work=Los Angeles Times}} Steven Seagal: Lawman, a series which follows his work in the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, premiered on A&E on December 2, 2009. Seagal stated that "I've decided to work with A&E on this series now because I believe it's important to show the nation all the positive work being accomplished here in Louisiana—to see the passion and commitment that comes from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office in this post-Katrina environment." The series premiere drew 3.6 million viewers, ranking as best season opener for any original A&E series ever.{{cite news|url=http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/ae/2008_Nov_25_steven_seagal_lawman|title=Steven Seagal: Lawman coming to A&E|date=November 23, 2008|access-date=November 23, 2008|author=Andy Denhart|work=realityblurred.com}}

On April 14, 2010, the series was suspended by Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand due to a sexual trafficking lawsuit filed against Seagal. The suit was later dropped.{{cite news|url=https://www.tmz.com/2010/04/14/steven-seagal-lawman-suspended-lawsuit-sex-case-kayden-nguyen|title=Steven Seagal's TV Show – Suspended By Cops|work=TMZ}} A&E resumed the show for the second season, which began on October 6, 2010. Production on Season 3 started in February 2011, with a change of location from Louisiana to Maricopa County, Arizona.{{cite news|url=http://www.seat42f.com/steven-seagal-lawman-begins-production-on-season-three-in-maricopa-county-arizona.html | work=Seat42F | title=Steven Seagal Lawman Begins Production on Season Three in Maricopa County, Arizona | date=February 22, 2011}} Two episodes were scheduled to be aired, beginning on January 4, 2012.{{cite news|url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/steven-seagal-lawman-2012/episode-2-season-3/cops-and-cons/299272 | work=TV Guide | title=Steven Seagal Lawman Episodes on A&E | date=January 4, 2012}} Shortly before the episodes were to be aired, Season 3 was suspended, with no explanations given. Season 3 premiered on January 2, 2014, but the show was not renewed for a fourth season.{{cite web|title=Lost Season of "Steven Seagal Lawman" to Air on Reelz|url=http://thefutoncritic.com/news/2013/05/16/lost-season-of-steven-seagal-lawman-to-air-on-reelz-555505/20130516reelz01/|work=The Futon Critic|date=May 15, 2013}} In October 2011, Seagal was sworn in as the Sheriff department's deputy sheriff of Hudspeth County, Texas, a law department responsible for patrolling a 98-mile stretch of the Texas-Mexico border.{{Cite web|last=Schutte|first=Lauren|date=October 17, 2011|title=Steven Seagal Becomes Texas Border Sheriff|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/steven-seagal-becomes-texas-border-249357/|access-date=May 12, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US}}

In 1997, Seagal was to be featured in an action video game for the Nintendo 64 and the original PlayStation called Deadly Honor, but it was cancelled for undisclosed reasons in its beta phase of development.{{cite web | url=https://www.ign.com/games/deadly-honor | title=Deadly Honor }} In 2005, Seagal Enterprises began to market an energy drink known as "Steven Seagal's Lightning Bolt", but it has since been discontinued. Seagal has also marketed an aftershave called "Scent of Action", and a range of knives and weapons.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/lostinshowbiz/2009/aug/28/steven-seagal-lawman

|title=Steven Seagal: Lawman. Does it get any better?|last1=Hyde|first1=Marina|date=August 27, 2009|work=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=April 7, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.coldsteel.com/Product/88CWSS/Steven_Seagal_Sword_Breaker.aspx|title=STEVEN SEAGAL SIGNATURE SERIES|publisher=Cold Steel|access-date=April 7, 2015}} In 2013, Seagal joined newly formed Russian firearms manufacturer ORSIS, representing the company in both a promotional capacity{{cite press release|title='ORSIS rifle by Steven Seagal' is going to be manufactured in Russia|url=http://en.orsis.com/about/news/87172/|date=October 2013|access-date=December 9, 2014|archive-date=June 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626214934/http://en.orsis.com/about/news/87172/|url-status=dead}} as well as lobbying for the easement of US import restrictions on Russian sporting firearms.{{cite news |title=Seagal to promote Russian Rifle model|url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/seagal-to-promote-russian-rifle-model/487776.html |work=Moscow Times |date=October 2013|access-date=December 9, 2014}}

Seagal has an extensive sword collection, and at one time had a custom gun made for him once a month.{{cite news|title=Story Notes for Marked for Death|date=2013|url=https://www.amc.com/talk/2013/04/story-notes-trivia-marked-for-death|newspaper=AMC|access-date=April 8, 2019}} Seagal owns a home in the Mandeville Canyon section of Los Angeles,{{cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/showbiz/443776/Steven-Seagal-adopts-a-dog-in-Romania|title=Steven Seagal adopts a dog in Romania|date=November 18, 2013|newspaper=Sunday Express|access-date=August 8, 2014}} and a home in Louisiana.{{cite news |last=Strauss |first=Gary |url= https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2009-12-02-seagal02_ST_N.htm |title='Lawman' finds Steven Seagal fighting crime for real |date=December 2, 2009 |access-date=December 10, 2009 |newspaper=USA Today}} He formerly lived on Staten Island in New York.[https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-fi-seagal7jan07-story.html Seagal’s court brawl wraps] Chuck Philips, Los Angeles Times (January 7, 2008) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927133039/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-fi-seagal7jan07-story.html |date=September 27, 2023 }} Seagal is a Buddhist and in February 1997, Lama Penor Rinpoche from Palyul monastery announced that Seagal was a tulku, and specifically the reincarnation of Chungdrag Dorje, a 17th-century terton (treasure revealer) of the Nyingma, the oldest sect of Tibetan Buddhism.{{cite web |url=http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/the-peoples-princess-yabshi-pan-rinzinwangmo/ |title=The People's Princess Yabshi-Pan-Rinzinwangmo |publisher=DorjeShugden.com |date=January 30, 2010}}

File:Steven Seagal Russia 2016.jpg

Seagal holds citizenships in three countries: the United States, Serbia, and Russia.{{cite web|author=T&A Reporters|title=Fancy owning a house that once belonged to Hollywood tough guy Steven Seagal?|date=May 12, 2021 |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/19298532.fancy-owning-house-belong-hollywood-tough-guy-steven-seagal/|publisher=Telegraph & Argus|access-date=August 2, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210802221449/https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/19298532.fancy-owning-house-belong-hollywood-tough-guy-steven-seagal/|archive-date=August 2, 2021}}{{cite web|last= Deerwester|first=Jayme|title=Vladimir Putin grants Russian citizenship to Steven Seagal|url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2016/11/03/vladimir-putin-grants-russian-citizenship-to-steven-seagal/93230762/|publisher=USA Today|access-date=August 2, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210802222036/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2016/11/03/vladimir-putin-grants-russian-citizenship-to-steven-seagal/93230762/|archive-date=August 2, 2021}} Born in the United States, he possesses jus soli U.S. citizenship. He was granted Serbian citizenship on January 11, 2016, following several visits to the country, and has been asked to teach aikido to the Serbian Special Forces.{{cite web|title=Steven Seagal asked to teach Aikido to Serbia's special police forces|last=Austin|first=Henry|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/steven-seagal-asked-train-serbia-s-special-police-forces-aikido-a6756626.html|work=The Independent|date=December 2, 2015|access-date=August 2, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210430001730/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/steven-seagal-asked-train-serbia-s-special-police-forces-aikido-a6756626.html|archive-date=April 30, 2021}}{{cite web|title=Steven Seagal gets Serbian citizenship after offering to start martial arts school|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2016/jan/11/steven-seagal-serbian-citizenship-martial-arts-school|work=The Guardian|date=January 11, 2016|access-date=August 2, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161126210924/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2016/jan/11/steven-seagal-serbian-citizenship-martial-arts-school|archive-date=November 26, 2016}}

Seagal was granted Russian citizenship on November 3, 2016; according to government spokesman Dmitry Peskov, "He was asking quite insistently and over a lengthy period to be granted citizenship."{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/putin-grants-action-star-steven-seagal-russian-citizenship-101618186.html |title=Putin grants action star Steven Seagal Russian citizenship |date=November 3, 2016 |publisher=Yahoo! News |access-date=September 24, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20161119050716/https://www.yahoo.com/news/putin-grants-action-star-steven-seagal-russian-citizenship-101618186.html |archive-date=November 19, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-putin-seagull-idUSKBN12Y0W1|title=Russia's Putin grants Russian citizenship to U.S. actor Seagal |date=November 3, 2016 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=September 24, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20161103122234/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-putin-seagull-idUSKBN12Y0W1 |archive-date=November 3, 2016}} Various media outlets have cited Seagal and President Vladimir Putin as friends and Seagal stated that he "would like to consider [Putin] as a brother". Putin bestowed the Russian award of Order of Friendship medal upon Seagal in 2023;{{Cite web |date=March 16, 2023 |title=Steven Seagal declares himself 'one million per cent' Russian |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/steven-seagal-russia-america-ukraine-b2302081.html |access-date=October 15, 2023 |website=The Independent |language=en}} Peskov has said of Putin: "he's definitely seen some of his movies."{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/apr/22/putin-proposed-steven-seagal-as-russian-envoy-to-us |title=Putin proposed Steven Seagal as Russian envoy to US |newspaper=The Guardian|first=Andrew |last=Pulver |date=April 22, 2015 |access-date=September 24, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150422174237/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/apr/22/putin-proposed-steven-seagal-as-russian-envoy-to-us |archive-date=April 22, 2015}}

File:Steven Seagal Vancouver.jpg in January 2008]]

While in Japan, Seagal married his first wife, Miyako Fujitani, the daughter of an aikido instructor. With Fujitani, he had a son, actor and model Kentaro Seagal, and a daughter, writer and actress Ayako Fujitani. Seagal left Miyako to move back to the United States.{{cite news |url=http://www.eonline.com/On/Holly/Shows/Seagal/facts.html |title=E! TV- "E! True Hollywood Story" – Steven Seagal |access-date=June 25, 2006 |author=Paul Smith |work=E! |archive-date=April 1, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060401053336/http://www.eonline.com/On/Holly/Shows/Seagal/facts.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://www.steven-seagal.net/forum/showthread.php?t=6663 |title=Mini Facts |access-date=January 27, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102231245/http://www.steven-seagal.net/forum/showthread.php?t=6663 |archive-date=January 2, 2007 }} During this time, he met actress and model Kelly LeBrock, with whom he began an affair that led to Fujitani granting him a divorce. Seagal was briefly married to actress Adrienne La Russa in 1984, but that marriage was annulled the same year over concerns that his divorce had not yet been finalized.{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/55260995.html?dids=55260995:55260995&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+02%2C+1994&author=Karen+Thomas&pub=USA+TODAY+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Seagal%3A+Marked+for+divorce&pqatl=google|title=Seagal: Marked for divorce|date=November 2, 1994|work=USA Today|access-date=August 13, 2010 | first=Karen | last=Thomas|archive-date=November 3, 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103131521/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/55260995.html?dids=55260995:55260995&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+02%2C+1994&author=Karen+Thomas&pub=USA+TODAY+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Seagal%3A+Marked+for+divorce&pqatl=google}} LeBrock gave birth to Seagal's daughter Annaliza in early 1987. Seagal and LeBrock married in September 1987 and their son Dominic was born in June 1990. Their daughter Arissa was born in 1993.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/02/style/chronicle-707279.html| title=Chronicle|first=Nadine|last=Brozan|work=The New York Times|date= November 2, 1994|access-date=August 13, 2017}} The following year, LeBrock filed for divorce citing "irreconcilable differences".

Seagal is married to Mongolian Erdenetuya Batsukh ({{langx|mn| Батсүхийн Эрдэнэтуяа}}), better known as "Elle".{{cite web|url=http://ethics.lacity.org/disclosure/campaign/search/public_search_results.cfm?orderby=RPT_DATE&orderbydesc=yes&idd=3&more=1&requesttimeout=1000&SCHEDULE=A%2CB%2CC&rept_type=AllCon&doc_id_list=5715&viewtype=pf |title=Los Angeles City Ethics Commission – Search Contributions to Candidates and Officeholders |publisher=Ethics.lacity.org |access-date=July 12, 2014}}{{Cite web |last=Б.Анхтуяа |date=October 7, 2022 |title=Steven Seagal's gorgeous wife – News.MN |url=https://news.mn/en/798062/ |access-date=October 15, 2023 |website=News.MN – The source of news |language=en}} They have one son together, Kunzang.{{cite web|last= O. Cruz|first=Edgar|title=Seagal to spend first Christmas in Philippines|url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2017/12/12/1767747/seagal-spend-first-christmas-philippines|publisher=The Philippine Star|access-date=April 2, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210402164159/https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2017/12/12/1767747/seagal-spend-first-christmas-philippines|archive-date=April 2, 2021}} From an early age, Elle trained as a dancer at the Children's Palace in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. After her graduation from high school and the Children's Palace, she pursued a career as a professional dancer. She won a number of dancing contests and was considered the top female dancer in Mongolia, excelling at ballroom dancing in particular. Elle first met Seagal in 2001, when she worked as his interpreter during his visit to Mongolia. Seagal has seven children from four relationships, two grandchildren by his eldest son, Kentaro{{cite web |url=http://www.tenshindojous.com/images/profile.html |title=kentaro profile |publisher=Tenshindojous.com |date=October 3, 1975 |access-date=July 12, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105214133/http://www.tenshindojous.com/images/profile.html |archive-date=January 5, 2015 }} and two granddaughters by his daughter Ayako Fujitani.{{Cite web |author=Ra'eesah Manack |website=amomama.com |url=https://news.amomama.com/212772-ayako-fujitani-is-steven-seagals-daughte.html |title= Ayako Fujitani |date=November 7, 2018|access-date=June 2, 2021}} In addition to his biological offspring, Seagal is the guardian of Yabshi Pan Rinzinwangmo,{{cite news |url=http://finevery.googlepages.com/stevenseagal.htm |title=Steven Seagal Comes Out of the Buddhist Closet |access-date=May 24, 2007 |author=Charles Carreon |work=American Buddha Online Library |archive-date=June 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070621035320/http://finevery.googlepages.com/stevenseagal.htm |url-status=dead }} the only child of the 10th Panchen Lama of Tibet. When she studied in the United States, Seagal was her minder and bodyguard.{{cite magazine |url=http://tibetoffice.org/en/index.php?url_channel_id=8&url_publish_channel_id=786&url_subchannel_id=13&well_id=2 |title=Buddha's daughter: A young Tibetan-Chinese woman |date=April 2, 2003 |access-date=May 7, 2006 |author=Isabel Hilton |magazine=The New Yorker |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060630044503/http://tibetoffice.org/en/index.php?url_channel_id=8&url_publish_channel_id=786&url_subchannel_id=13&well_id=2 |archive-date=June 30, 2006}}

Seagal lent his voice as a narrator for an activist film project, Medicine Lake Video. The project seeks to protect sacred tribal ground near Seagal's ranch in Siskiyou County.{{cite web|url=http://www.medicinelakevideo.org/film.html|title=Medicine Lake Video / About The Video Project|publisher=Green Man Productions|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802223433/http://www.medicinelakevideo.org/film.html|archive-date=August 2, 2008|access-date=August 8, 2014}} He also wrote an open letter to the leadership of Thailand in 2003, urging them to enact a law to prevent the torture of baby elephants.{{cite news|url=http://www.chuaychangthai.com/Seagal_thailand.pdf|title=Letter to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand by Steven Seagal|date=February 7, 2003|access-date=August 8, 2014|author=Steven Seagal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203202518/http://www.chuaychangthai.com/Seagal_thailand.pdf|archive-date=December 3, 2007}} In 1999, Seagal was awarded a PETA Humanitarian Award.{{cite news|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/culture-lifestyle/entertainment/130606/steven-seagal-russia-arms-trade|title=Steven Seagal: International man of mystery|last1=Lodish|first1=Emily|date=June 7, 2013|newspaper=GlobalPost|access-date=August 3, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/people/steven-seagal/|title=Steven Seagal - TV.com|website=TV.com|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=August 8, 2014|archive-date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413094245/http://www.tv.com/people/steven-seagal/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://uk.eonline.com/news/261470/did-steven-seagal-kill-a-dog-during-a-cockfight-bust

|title=Did Steven Seagal Kill a Dog During a Cockfight Bust?|last1=Finn|first1=Natalie|date=September 1, 2011|website=E! Online|publisher=E!|access-date=August 8, 2014}}

File: Актёр Стивен Сигал, Владимир Путин и многократный чемпион мира по смешанным единоборствам Фёдор Емельяненко - 2.jpeg

File:Vladimir Putin in the Oceanarium on the Russky island (2015-09-04) 07.jpg in September 2015]]

In a March 2014 interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Seagal described Vladimir Putin as "one of the great living world leaders". He expressed support for the annexation of Crimea by Russia.{{cite news |url= http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/movie-star-seagal-backs-russias-actions-in-crimea/496896.html |title= Movie Star Seagal Backs Russia's Actions in Crimea |first= Christopher |last= Brennan |date= March 27, 2014 |work= The Moscow Times |url-status= live |archive-url= https://archive.today/20140812044457/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/movie-star-seagal-backs-russias-actions-in-crimea/496896.html |archive-date= August 12, 2014}} In July 2014, following calls for a boycott, Seagal was dropped from the lineup of the August Blues Festival in Haapsalu, Estonia.{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/jul/20/steven-seagal-dropped-estonia-augustibluus-festival |title= Steven Seagal dropped from Estonia music festival lineup after outcry |first= Michael |last= Amundsen |work= The Guardian |date= July 20, 2014 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_news/?doc=13390 |title=Steven Seagal's upcoming performance in Estonia draws criticism |publisher=Baltic News |date=July 17, 2014|access-date=July 17, 2014}} Estonian musician Tõnis Mägi, minister of Foreign Affairs, Urmas Paet, and Parliament's Foreign Affairs chairman Marko Mihkelson had all condemned inviting Seagal into the country, with Paet saying, "Steven Seagal has tried to actively participate in politics during the past few months and has done it in a way which is unacceptable to the majority of the world that respects democracy and the rule of law."{{cite news |url= http://www.afp.com/en/news/steven-seagals-estonia-gig-nixed-over-pro-russia-stance |title= Steven Seagal's Estonia gig nixed over pro-Russia stance |work= Agence France-Presse |date= July 29, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140802081030/http://www.afp.com/en/news/steven-seagals-estonia-gig-nixed-over-pro-russia-stance |archive-date= August 2, 2014 }}

In August 2014, Seagal appeared at a Night Wolves-organized show in Sevastopol, Crimea, supporting the Crimean annexation and depicting Ukraine as a country controlled by fascists.{{cite news |url= http://www.rferl.org/content/feature/26525150.html |title= Sevastopol's Olympic-Sized Take On Ukraine: Bikers, Ballet, And Swastikas |first= Glenn |last= Kates |work= Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date= August 11, 2014 }}{{cite news |url= https://www.buzzfeed.com/maxseddon/russian-motorbike-gang-tells-the-conflict-in-ukraine |title= Watch The Pro-Putin Rally Where The War In Ukraine Was Performed By A Motorbike Gang |first= Max |last= Seddon |work= BuzzFeed |date= August 11, 2014 }} On November 3, Seagal was granted Russian citizenship by Putin.{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/putin-grants-russian-citizenship-to-actor-steven-seagal/ar-AAjQ0ok?li=BBoPWjQ&ocid=mailsignout|title=Putin grants Russian citizenship to actor Steven Seagal|website=www.msn.com|access-date=November 4, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105033004/http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/putin-grants-russian-citizenship-to-actor-steven-seagal/ar-AAjQ0ok?li=BBoPWjQ&ocid=mailsignout|archive-date=November 5, 2016}} His views on Ukraine and Russian citizenship caused Ukraine to ban him from entering the country because he "committed socially dangerous actions".{{cite news|last1=Luhn|first1=Alec|title=Ukraine bans Steven Seagal as threat to national security|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/may/05/ukraine-bans-steven-seagal-national-security-russian-citizenship|access-date=May 7, 2017|work=The Guardian|date=May 5, 2017}} Seagal visited the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2015 and met with the country's long-time president, Ilham Aliyev.{{cite news|title=Steven Seagal visits Baku|url=https://www.meydan.tv/en/article/steven-seagal-visits-baku/|access-date=March 19, 2023|work=Meydan.tv|date=September 22, 2015}} Seagal has expressed support for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and dispute with neighboring Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.{{cite news|title=Steven Seagal has no plans to visit Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh|url=https://en.azvision.az/news/85117/steven-seagal-has-no-plans-to-visit-armenia-and-nagorno-karabakh.html|access-date=March 19, 2023|work=Azvision.az|date=April 20, 2018}}

Seagal spoke out against the protests during the United States national anthem by professional athletes, stating, "I believe in free speech, I believe that everyone's entitled to their own opinion, but I don't agree that they should hold the United States of America or the world hostage by taking a venue where people are tuning in to watch a football game and imposing their political views." He also expressed skepticism of alleged Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections.{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/steven-seagal-slams-nfl-players-kneel-national-anthem-article-1.3524593|title=Steven Seagal slams NFL players who kneel during national anthem|author=Cullen, Terence|newspaper=New York Daily News|date=September 27, 2017|access-date=September 27, 2017}} Not long after this, former two time World boxing heavyweight champion George Foreman publicly challenged Seagal to an official ten-round MMA match in Las Vegas, which Seagal promptly declined.{{cite web|url=https://www.worldboxingnews.net/2021/06/04/george-foreman-steven-seagal/|title=George Foreman offered Steven Seagal Las Vegas clash when pushing 70|author=WBN|newspaper=world boxing news|date=June 14, 2017|access-date=March 23, 2023}}

In 2017, Seagal collaborated with a former chair of the Arizona Republican Party, Tom Morrissey, in writing a self-published conspiracy thriller novel, The Way of the Shadow Wolves: The Deep State And The Hijacking Of America, which featured a Tohono Shadow Wolf tracker working for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to foil a plot by Mexican drug cartels and the "deep state" to smuggle in Islamist terrorists to the United States through the U.S.–Mexico border.[https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/read-the-most-insane-parts-of-seagals-novel-endorsed-by-arpaio-10005023 Endorsed by Arpaio: The 9 Most Insane Parts of Steven Seagal's Novel], by Joseph Flaherty, in the Phoenix New Times; published January 3, 2018; retrieved March 28, 2021

File:President Rodrigo Roa Duterte does his signature pose with actor Steven Seagal who met with the President in Malacañan Palace on October 12, 2017 (RODRIGUEZ5).jpg on October 12, 2017]]

In October 2017, Seagal met with Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte while scouting locations in Manila for a possible film. During the visit, Seagal flashed Duterte's signature fist.{{cite news |title=Steven Seagal meets 'The Punisher' Duterte, talks drug war |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-seagal-duterte-idUSKBN1CI0CG |access-date=February 9, 2023 |work=Reuters |date=October 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218094715/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-seagal-duterte-idUSKBN1CI0CG |archive-date=December 18, 2018 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Romero |first1=Alexis |title=Seagal meets Duterte |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/10/12/1748339/seagal-meets-duterte |access-date=February 9, 2023 |work=The Philippine Star |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002135512/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/10/12/1748339/seagal-meets-duterte |archive-date=October 2, 2018}} In 2021, Seagal gave a katana to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as Russia's Foreign Affairs Ministry special envoy while visiting Canaima National Park.{{Cite news|title=Maduro maniobra una espada samurái que le regala el actor Steven Seagal|url=https://www.efe.com/efe/america/gente/maduro-maniobra-una-espada-samurai-que-le-regala-el-actor-steven-seagal/20000014-4528455|access-date=May 12, 2021|website=EFE|language=es}}{{Cite news|date=May 5, 2021|title=Venezuela's Maduro receives samurai sword gift from actor Steven Seagal|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/venezuelas-maduro-receives-samurai-sword-gift-actor-steven-seagal-2021-05-05/|access-date=October 6, 2021}} Maduro referred to Seagal as "my brother." On May 30, 2021, the pro-Kremlin systemic opposition party A Just Russia — Patriots — For Truth announced that Seagal had received an official membership card to the party.{{cite news |title=Hollywood actor Seagal joins pro-Kremlin party, proposes tougher laws |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/hollywood-actor-seagal-joins-pro-kremlin-party-proposes-tougher-laws-2021-05-30/ |access-date=May 30, 2021 |work=Reuters |date=May 30, 2021}}

In March 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Seagal visited Moscow where he organized his birthday party, attended by many people connected to Vladimir Putin, including some affected by international sanctions. This has been criticized as a dissenting action that came amidst the growing international boycott of Russia.{{Cite web |date=April 11, 2022 |title=Support for Putin among western celebrities drains away over Ukraine |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/11/vladimir-putin-celebrities-ukraine-invasion-steven-seagal-gerard-depardieu |access-date=April 15, 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Górna |first=Marta |date=April 12, 2022 |title="Jesteśmy razem na dobre i na złe" – zapewniał Steven Seagal, który wyprawił w Moskwie urodziny |url=https://wyborcza.pl/7,101707,28328332,jestesmy-razem-na-dobre-i-na-zle-zapewnial-steven-seagal.html?disableRedirects=true |access-date=April 15, 2022 |website=wyborcza.pl |language=pl}}{{Cite web |date=April 13, 2022 |title=Steven Seagal tells Putin allies 'I love you all' at 70th birthday party in Moscow |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/putin-steven-seagal-russia-allies-ukraine-b2056884.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/putin-steven-seagal-russia-allies-ukraine-b2056884.html |archive-date=May 25, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2022 |website=The Independent |language=en}} In August 2022, he visited Olenivka in Donetsk Oblast, the site of the Olenivka prison massacre, with Donetsk People's Republic leader Denis Pushilin, who claimed that Seagal was filming a documentary about the war in Donbas. Seagal also met with Leonid Slutsky.{{Cite web|url=https://tass.com/politics/1491615|title=Steven Seagal filming documentary about war in Donbass — DPR head|website=TASS}}{{Cite web|url=https://odessa-journal.com/steven-seagal-came-to-yelenovka-where-the-russians-committed-a-terrorist-attack-against-ukrainian-prisoners-of-war/|title=Steven Seagal came to Yelenovka, where the Russians committed a terrorist attack against Ukrainian prisoners of war|date=August 9, 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/news/nach-angriff-auf-gefaengnis-steven-seagal-in-der-ostukraine-li.254973|title=Nach Angriff auf Gefängnis: Steven Seagal in der Ostukraine|first1=David|last1=Vilentchik|website=Berliner Zeitung|date=August 9, 2022 }} On February 27, 2023, he received the Russian Order of Friendship from Vladimir Putin for his "major contribution to the development of international cultural and humanitarian cooperation".{{cite news|date=February 27, 2023|title=Putin decorates US actor Seagal with 'friendship' award|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230227-putin-decorates-us-actor-seagal-with-friendship-award|publisher=France 24|location=Moscow|publication-place=Paris|agency=Agence France-Presse|access-date=March 11, 2023}}

{{Criticism section|date=May 2025}}

In May 1991 (during the filming of Out for Justice), Warner Bros. employees Raenne Malone, Nicole Selinger, and Christine Keeve accused Seagal of sexual harassment.{{cite journal|title=Spy|journal = Spy: The New York Monthly|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DdQ9WL9ODdwC|access-date=February 11, 2013|date=July 8, 1993|publisher=Sussex Publishers, LLC|page=58-|issn=0890-1759}} In return for remaining silent, Malone and another woman received around $50,000 each in an out-of-court settlement.{{cite book|title=People Entertainment Almanac|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s9RmfR3KoQgC|access-date=February 11, 2013|date=November 1, 2000|publisher=People Magazine, Cader Books|isbn=978-1-929049-07-3|page=522}} Around the same time, at least four actresses said that Seagal had made sexual advances, typically during late-night "casting sessions".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.american-buddha.com/seagal.seige.htm|title=Siegel Under Siege|last=Zeman|first=Ned|date=October 2002|magazine=Vanity Fair|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030224013611/http://www.american-buddha.com/seagal.seige.htm|archive-date=February 24, 2003|url-status=bot: unknown|access-date=September 30, 2017}} In another incident, Jenny McCarthy said that Seagal asked her to undress during an audition for Under Siege 2: Dark Territory.{{cite web|last=Buchanan |first=Kyle |url=http://movieline.com/2010/04/16/exclusive-the-full-steven-seagal-story-jenny-mccarthy-told-movieline-in-1998/ |title=EXCLUSIVE: The Full Steven Seagal Story Jenny McCarthy Told Movieline in 1998 |publisher=Movieline |date=April 16, 2010 |access-date=July 12, 2014}}

In 1995, Seagal was charged with employment discrimination, sexual harassment, and breach of contract.{{cite journal|title=Black Belt|journal = Black Belt. Buyer's Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D9IDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA21|access-date=February 11, 2013|date=June 1995|publisher=Active Interest Media, Inc.|page=21|issn=0277-3066}} Cheryl Shuman filed a case against Seagal, accusing him of threatening and beating her during the filming of On Deadly Ground. In August 1995, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Hiroshi Fujisaki dismissed the case, calling the claims "repetitive and unintelligible".

On April 12, 2010, 23-year-old Kayden Nguyen filed a lawsuit against Seagal in a Los Angeles County Superior Court, requesting more than one million dollars in damages.{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/steven-seagal-sued-for-sex-trafficking-assault/|title=Steven Seagal Sued for Sex Trafficking, Assault|publisher=Fox News|date=April 13, 2010|access-date=November 6, 2010}} In her suit, Nguyen alleged Seagal engaged in sexual harassment, the illegal trafficking of females for sex, failure to prevent sexual harassment, and wrongful termination.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kayden-nguyen-new-pictures-i-manipulate-men-says-steven-seagal-sex-toy-accuser/|title=Kayden Nguyen (NEW PICTURES): I Manipulate Men, Says Steven Seagal "Sex Toy" Accuser|publisher=CBS|date=April 14, 2010|access-date=November 6, 2010|first=Edecio|last=Martinez}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8619574.stm|title=Steven Seagal sued for sexual assault|publisher=BBC|date=April 14, 2010|access-date=November 6, 2010}} Seagal denied the allegations, but his reality show Steven Seagal: Lawman was suspended while his attorneys resolved the case. On July 14, 2010, three months after Nguyen filed her suit, she withdrew her claim without explanation.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment+arts-10645210|title=Steven Seagal sexual harassment case dismissed|publisher=BBC|date=July 15, 2010|access-date=July 28, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718233656/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment+arts-10645210|archive-date=July 18, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b190475_steven_seagals_sex_trafficking.html |title=Steven Seagal's Sex Trafficking 'n' Harassment Suit Dismissed |publisher=E! Online |date=July 14, 2010 |access-date=July 12, 2014}}

On August 30, 2011, Jesus Sanchez Llovera filed a lawsuit against Seagal over his part in a Maricopa county police raid with heavy weapons (notably including an army surplus tank) of Llovera's residence for suspicion of cockfighting. The incident was taped for Seagal's A&E reality show Steven Seagal: Lawman. Llovera was seeking $100,000 for damages caused during the raid and a letter of apology from Seagal to Llovera's children for the death of their family pet. Llovera claimed that his 11-month-old puppy was shot and killed during the raid.{{cite web|url=https://tv.yahoo.com/news/steven-seagal-threatened-lawsuit-over-police-raid-taped-192501428.html |title=Steven Seagal Threatened With Lawsuit Over Police Raid Taped for Reality Show (Report) – Yahoo TV |publisher=Tv.yahoo.com |date=August 30, 2011 |access-date=July 12, 2014}} Llovera failed to file court-ordered paperwork after his attorney withdrew from the case and the lawsuit was dismissed in January 2013.{{cite web |url=https://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/20130125laveen-man-pleads-guilty-cockfighting.html |title=Laveen man pleads guilty to cockfighting |publisher=Azcentral.com |date=January 25, 2013 |access-date=July 12, 2014 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714191938/http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/20130125laveen-man-pleads-guilty-cockfighting.html |url-status=dead }}

In 2017, actress Portia de Rossi accused Seagal of sexually harassing her during a movie audition. De Rossi alleged that during an audition in Seagal's office, he told her "how important it was to have chemistry off-screen" before unzipping his pants.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41936741|title=Portia de Rossi accuses Steven Seagal of sexual harassment|publisher=BBC|date=November 9, 2017}}{{cite web|author= Pulver, Andrew|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jan/12/steven-seagal-sexual-misconduct-regina-simons |title=Steven Seagal accused of raping teenage actor in 1993|newspaper=The Guardian |date=January 12, 2018|access-date=May 12, 2019}} On an April 18 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Katherine Heigl alleged on the final day of shooting for Under Siege 2 that Seagal told her that he had girlfriends the same age as the 16-year-old Heigl. Kimmel responded by displaying a photo from the film's promotional tour showing Seagal's hand on Heigl's chest while they posed for a photo.{{cite web |title=Here's Steven Seagal groping a 16-year-old Katherine Heigl |url=https://www.avclub.com/heres-steven-seagal-groping-a-16-year-old-katherine-hei-1819923832 |last=Hughes |first=William |date=October 27, 2017 |website=AV Club |access-date=August 13, 2022}}

On November 9, 2017, Dutch model Faviola Dadis posted a statement on her Instagram account stating that she also had been sexually assaulted by Seagal years earlier.{{cite web |last1=Hod |first1=Itay |title=Second Woman Claims Steven Seagal Sexually Assaulted Her During 'Private Audition' |url=https://www.thewrap.com/second-woman-says-steven-seagal-sexually-assaulted-private-audition/ |website=The Wrap |access-date=August 5, 2018 |date=November 9, 2017}}

On January 15, 2018, actress Rachel Grant publicly accused Seagal of sexually assaulting her in 2002, during pre-production on his direct-to-video film, Out for a Kill (2003), stating that she lost her job on the film after the incident.{{Cite news |date=January 15, 2018 |title=Steven Seagal denies Bond girl assault |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-42627922 |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Maddaus |first=Gene |date=February 9, 2018 |title=District Attorney's Office Reviewing Sex Abuse Case Against Steven Seagal |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/steven-seagal-district-attorney-sex-task-force-1202694078/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} In February 2018, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office acknowledged that it was reviewing a potential sex-abuse case involving Seagal.{{cite web |last1=Maddaus |first1=Gene |title=District Attorney's Office Reviewing Sex Abuse Case Against Steven Seagal |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/steven-seagal-district-attorney-sex-task-force-1202694078/ |website=Variety |access-date=August 5, 2018 |date=February 9, 2018}}

In March 2018, Regina Simons publicly claimed that in 1993, when she was 18, Seagal raped her at his home when she arrived for what she thought was a wrap party for the movie On Deadly Ground.{{cite news |last1=Wang |first1=Amy B. |title=Steven Seagal accused of raping an 18-year-old — adding to decades of claims against the actor |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2018/03/20/steven-seagal-accused-of-raping-an-18-year-old-adding-to-decades-of-claims-against-the-actor/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 5, 2018 |date=March 20, 2018}} In September 2018, Los Angeles prosecutors refused to charge the actor based on Regina Simons accusations, due to California's statute of limitations. Two months later, the case involving the actress Rachel Grant was dismissed for the same reasons.Dobuzinskis, Alex (December 22, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN1OL047/ "Prosecutors close Steven Seagal sex assault inquiry without charges"]. Reuters.

Seagal became embroiled in a legal case involving film producer Julius R. Nasso after Nasso attempted to extort Seagal. Nasso produced seven of Seagal's films beginning with Marked for Death in 1990. The two "became best friends", according to Seagal, and formed Seagal/Nasso Productions together. Their relationship became strained, however, and their partnership ended in 2000. Believing that Seagal owed him $3 million in compensation for backing out of a four-film deal, Nasso enlisted members of the Gambino crime family to threaten Seagal in an attempt to recoup money Nasso allegedly lost.{{Cite web |last=Lieberman |first=Paul |date=February 12, 2003 |title=Seagal Testifies, Explains His Ties to Mob Family |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-feb-12-na-seagal12-story.html |access-date=April 22, 2024 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}

Gambino family captain Anthony Ciccone first visited Seagal in Toronto during the filming of Exit Wounds in October 2000. In January 2001, Primo Cassarino and other gangsters picked up Seagal by car to bring him to a meeting with Ciccone at a Brooklyn restaurant. At the meeting, Ciccone reportedly told Seagal that he had a choice of making four promised movies with Nasso or paying Nasso a penalty of $150,000 per movie, and that if Seagal refused, Ciccone would kill him.{{cite news|last=Marzulli|first=John|title=Seagal's mob terror Star to testify on scary date with gangsters|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/seagal-mob-terror-star-testify-scary-date-gangsters-article-1.662631|access-date=April 10, 2012|newspaper=New York Daily News|date=February 10, 2003}}

Seagal, who later claimed that he brought a handgun to the meeting, was able to stall Ciccone and escape the meeting unharmed.{{cite news|last=Gendar|first=Alison|title=Action star Steven Seagal under {{sic|se|ige|hide=y}} again by lawsuit from mobbed-up movie producer Julius Nasso|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2010/03/16/action-star-steven-seagal-under-seige-again-by-lawsuit-from-mobbed-up-movie-producer-julius-nasso/|access-date=January 28, 2025|newspaper=New York Daily News|date=March 16, 2010}} In the spring of 2001, Seagal sought out another mobster, Genovese crime family captain Angelo Prisco, to act as a "peacemaker". He visited Prisco in prison at Rahway, New Jersey and paid Prisco's lawyer $10,000.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2003/02/12/seagal-stars-in-ny-trial-of-mafia/e830cd7f-6098-444d-acb5-9cbfb9f39186/ Seagal Stars in N.Y. Trial Of Mafia] Michael Powell, The Washington Post (February 12, 2003)

On March 17, 2003, Cassarino, Ciccone and others were convicted of labor racketeering, extortion, and 63 other counts under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.[http://www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind/scams/steven_seagal/index.html "STEVEN SEAGAL AND THE MOB"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061215184256/http://www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind/scams/steven_seagal/index.html |date=December 15, 2006 }} TruTV Crime Library Seagal testified for the prosecution about the mobsters' extortion attempt.{{cite news|last=Marzulli|first=John|title=GOTTI & 6 TAKE FALL IN B'KLYN THE TEFLON'S LONG GONE|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/gotti-6-fall-b-klyn-teflon-long-article-1.659406|access-date=April 10, 2012|newspaper=New York Daily News|date=March 18, 2003}} Nasso pleaded guilty to the charge of extortion conspiracy in August 2003. In February 2004, he was sentenced to a year and a day in prison, fined $75,000 and ordered to take mental health counselling on release from jail.[https://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/feb/18/news1 Seagal mob saga comes to an end] The Guardian (February 18, 2004) In January 2008, Nasso agreed to drop a $60 million lawsuit against Seagal for an alleged breach of contract when the two settled out of court.[https://www.silive.com/news/2008/01/staten_island_film_producer_ac.html Staten Island film producer, action movie star, settle out of court on $60M suit] Staten Island Advance (January 7, 2008)

Seagal has been accused by former stunt performers who have worked with him, including Kane Hodder, Stephen Quadros, and Gene LeBell, of intentionally hitting stuntmen during scenes.{{cite web |title=Interview with Jason (Kane Hodder) | date=November 5, 2022 |url=http://www.unratedmagazine.com/Bios/_Artists.cfm?Band_ID=2117 |publisher=Unrated Magazine}}{{cite book |last1=Karlukovski |first1=George |title=Martial Arts Illustrated |date=July 2007 |publisher=MAJ Publications |asin=B00CSMKRI8 |pages=27–28}} Additionally, while serving as stunt coordinator for Out for Justice, LeBell allegedly got into an on-set altercation with Seagal over his mistreatment of some of the film's stunt performers. After the actor claimed that, due to his aikido training, he was "immune" to being choked unconscious, LeBell supposedly offered Seagal the opportunity to prove it. With Seagal's permission, LeBell then successfully choked him unconscious, with Seagal losing bowel control. Although LeBell has not directly confirmed the rumor, he implied that it was true in a 2012 interview.{{Cite web |date=March 2012 |title=Gene LeBell talks Steven Seagal s----ing himself |url=https://www.mixedmartialarts.com/news/390705/Gene-LeBell-talks-Steven-Seagal-s----ing-himself/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217044204/https://www.mixedmartialarts.com/news/390705/Gene-LeBell-talks-Steven-Seagal-s----ing-himself/ |archive-date=2015-02-17 |access-date=2015-03-18 |website=mixedmartialarts.com}}{{Cite web |last=Al-Shatti |first=Shaun |date=2012-03-11 |title=Legendary Gene LeBell Talks Ronda Rousey, MMA Judging and Choking Out Steven Seagal |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/strikeforce/2012/3/11/2858055/judo-gene-lebell-ronda-rousey-mma-judging-choking-out-steven-segal |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}} Seagal's bodyguard and stuntman Steven Lambert stated that a confrontation did happen, during which Seagal elbowed LeBell before he could lock the hold, after which LeBell flipped Seagal.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yFI_PhGPbc |title=Truth Finally Revealed on Seagal and LeBell According to Actual Eyewitness Steven Lambert Testimony! |website=YouTube |date=March 14, 2021 |access-date=March 23, 2021 |archive-date=March 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317131125/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yFI_PhGPbc |url-status=live }} Seagal has directly denied that a confrontation took place, calling LeBell a "sick, pathological scumbag liar".{{Cite web |last=Jenness |first=Kirik |date=2015-12-17 |title=Steven Seagal denies Gene LeBell made him poop his pants |url=https://www.mixedmartialarts.com/mma/rousey-i-bet-i-could-beat-steven-seagal |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=MMA Underground |language=en}}

Robart Wall included LeBell in his "Dirty Dozen", a list of martial artists willing to answer to a public challenge made by Seagal.Thomas Nilsson, A Conversation with "The Toughest Man Alive": "Judo" Gene LeBell Has Seen and Done It All in a 50-Year Martial Arts Career, Black Belt magazine, February 1999 LeBell however declined to participate, as the feud with Seagal was hurting him professionally. He did however criticize Seagal for his treatment of stuntmen, and left open the possibility of a professional fight if Seagal wanted.David W. Clary, Wall Challenges Seagal to Face "Dirty Dozen", Black Belt magazine, March 1992

Allegations of mistreatment towards stuntmen have continued throughout Seagal's later career, with both stuntman Peter Harris Kent (Arnold Schwarzenegger's stunt double) and Mike Leeder publicly criticizing his on-set antics.{{cite web |last1=Bick |first1=Jordan |title=Stunt Double Has Choice Words For Steven Seagal |url=http://www.manlymovie.net/2015/09/stunt-double-has-choice-words-for-steven-seagal.html |website=www.manlymovie.net|date=September 4, 2015 }} Actor John Leguizamo also claimed that during rehearsals on Executive Decision, in retaliation for laughing at him, Seagal caught him off guard and knocked him into a brick wall.{{cite web |last1=Ghomeshi |first1=Jian |title=John Leguizamo Slams Steven Seagal on Q TV |date=November 4, 2010 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB1RvU8UR38 |publisher=Q on CBC |access-date=January 4, 2022}} Michael Jai White, who acted with him in a number of movies, stated that he routinely hit stunt men, and that he was known for it. He said they just accepted it. However, he stated that Seagal never hit him.{{Citation |title=Michael Jai White: Steven Seagal Knew Not to Hit Me in Fight Scenes (Part 17) | date=August 15, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz7U1YGzqFc |language=en |access-date=May 4, 2022}}

• Songs from the Crystal Cave (2004)
• Mojo Priest (2006)

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Steven Seagal}}

• {{Official website|http://stevenseagal.com/}}
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• {{Discogs artist|Steven Seagal}}

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