Steven Seagal

Steven Seagal From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (February 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) Steven Seagal Steven Seagal by Gage Skidmore.jpg Steven Seagal in 2012. Born Steven Frederic Seagal April 10, 1952 (age 64)[1] Lansing, Michigan, United States Nationality American, Serbian Style Aikido Rank 7th degree black belt in Aikido Years active c. 1988 – present Occupation Actor, film producer, martial artist, director Spouse Miyako Fujitani (m. 1975–86) Adrienne La Russa (m. 1984–87) Kelly Le Brock (m. 1987–96) Erdenetuya (Batsukh) Seagal (m. 2009) Children 7, including Ayako Fujitani Website stevenseagal.com Steven Frederic Seagal[2] (born April 10, 1952)[1][3] is an American actor, film producer, screenwriter, film director and martial artist.

A 7th-dan black belt in Aikido, Seagal began his adult life as a martial arts instructor in Japan;[4] becoming the first foreigner to operate an Aikido dojo in the country.[5] He later moved to Los Angeles, California, where he worked as a martial arts instructor on Never Say Never Again; accidentally breaking actor Sean Connery's wrist during production.[6] In 1988, Seagal made his acting debut in Above the Law. By 1991, he had starred in four successful films. He achieved further fame in 1992, when he played Navy SEALs counter-terrorist expert Casey Ryback in Under Siege. However, On Deadly Ground (in 1994) and Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (in 1995) were less successful at the box office. During the latter half of the 1990s, Seagal starred in three more theatrical films and the direct-to-video film The Patriot. Since that time, with the exception of Exit Wounds (in 2001) and Half Past Dead (in 2002), his career has shifted almost entirely to direct-to-video productions. From 1998 to 2014, Seagal appeared in a total of 27 of these. At the age of 58, he returned to prominence as Torrez in the 2010 film Machete; his first widely released film since 2002. Intermittently between 2009 and 2013, he filmed three seasons of his reality show Steven Seagal: Lawman, which depicted Seagal performing his duties as a reserve deputy sheriff in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana (season 1–2) and Maricopa County, Arizona (season 3). He also created and starred in two seasons of the undercover police drama series True Justice between 2011 and 2012.

Seagal is an accomplished guitarist; having released two studio albums (Songs from the Crystal Cave and Mojo Priest), and performed on a number of film scores. He has worked with several musicians, including Stevie Wonder and Tony Rebel (who both performed on his debut album).

As a businessman, Seagal has undertaken many ventures; he is estimated to be worth anywhere from $5–16 million (as of 2015).[7][8] In 1997, he began "working closely" with Young Living on a line of "therapeutic oil" products.[9] As the founder of Steven Seagal Enterprises, he began to market his own energy drink, Lightning Bolt, in 2005.[10] In 2013, he began representing the Russian firearms manufacturer ORSIS; appearing in promotional campaigns.[11]

In addition to his professional achievements, Seagal is known as an environmentalist,[12] an animal rights activist, and as a supporter of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso.[13][14] He is also known for his outspoken political views and for his friendship with Vladimir Putin. Seagal once referred to Putin as "one of the great living world leaders".[15]

Contents [hide] 1 Early life 2 Aikido 3 Hollywood career 3.1 1980s – 1990s 3.2 Direct-to-video work 3.3 Return to the big screen and television work 4 Themes and motifs 5 Other ventures 5.1 Music 5.2 Law enforcement work 5.3 Business ventures 6 Personal life 6.1 Relationships and family 7 Allegations and lawsuits 7.1 1995 lawsuit 7.2 2010 lawsuit 7.3 2011 lawsuit 8 Activism 9 Political views and friendship with Vladimir Putin 10 Stunts 11 Filmography 11.1 Films 11.2 Television 12 Awards and nominations 13 Discography 14 See also 15 References 16 External links Early life Seagal was born in Lansing, Michigan. His mother, Patricia (1930–2003), was a medical technician, and his father, Samuel Seagal (1928–1991), was a high school math teacher.[16] His mother was of Dutch, English, and German ancestry, and his father was the son of Jewish Russians who moved to the U.S.[17] In an interview, Seagal stated that he had a Mongolian grandfather (either Buryat or Kalmyk).[18] When Seagal was five years old, his parents relocated to Fullerton, California. He attended Buena Park High School in Buena Park, California.

Aikido At the age of 13, Seagal lied about his age and got a job as a dishwasher at a restaurant named The Wagon Wheel.[citation needed] One of the cooks at the restaurant was a Japanese shotokan karate expert and noticed Seagal moved very quickly around the kitchen. He taught Seagal the basics of karate. Seagal began training in aikido under master Harry Kiyoshi Ishisaka, founder of the Orange County Aikido School (Orange County Aiki Kai) (OCAK) in 1964. Seagal considers him to have been the most important martial arts teacher in his life. Seagal moved to Japan at some point between the ages of 19 and 21 with his father who was visiting for military purposes, and met karate masters and decided to remain in Japan. He received his 1st dan degree (Shodan) under the direction of Koichi Tohei. He continued to train in aikido as a student of Seiseki Abe, Tohei (whose aikido organization, Ki Society, Seagal refused to join in favor of staying with the Aikikai), Kisaburo Osawa, Hiroshi Isoyama and the second doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba. He attained a 7th dan degree and Shihan in aikido, he also holds black belts in karate, judo and kendo and became the first foreigner to operate an aikido dojo in Japan.[19]

After returning to California in 1974, Seagal met Miyako Fujitani, an aikido instructor teaching in Los Angeles. He returned with her to her native Japan in 1975 where they married. When Seagal's father-in-law, also an aikido instructor, retired, Seagal became the new head of the organization known as Tenshin Aikido in Jūsō, Osaka City (affiliated with the Aikikai). Seagal is known by his students as Take Sensei. When Seagal left his dojo in Osaka, his then-wife Miyako became the caretaker of the dojo which has continued to the present day. Seagal initially 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 U.S. in 1983 with senior student Haruo Matsuoka. They opened an aikido dojo, initially in North Hollywood, California, but later moved it to the city of West Hollywood. Seagal left Matsuoka in charge of the dojo, which he ran until the two parted ways in 1997.[20][21][22]

He has helped train Brazilian mixed martial artists Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida. Silva, who is the former UFC Middleweight Champion, went on to knock out Vitor Belfort with a kick, in their fight at UFC 126 in February 2011,[23][24] and Machida also credited him for helping him perfect the front kick that he used to knock out Randy Couture at UFC 129 in May 2011.[25][26]

Hollywood career 1980s – 1990s In 1987, Seagal began work on his first film, Above the Law (titled Nico in Europe), with director Andrew Davis and reportedly as a favor to a former aikido student, the agent Michael Ovitz.[27] Ovitz took Seagal to Warner Brothers to put on an aikido demonstration and the executives were impressed by him and offered him several scripts; Seagal turned them down but agreed to write what would become Above the Law. Following its success, Seagal's subsequent movies were Hard to Kill, Marked for Death, and Out for Justice, all box office hits, making him an action hero. Later, he achieved wider, mainstream success in 1992 with the release of Under Siege (1992). That film reunited Seagal with director Andrew Davis, and was a blockbuster in the U.S. and abroad, grossing $156.4 million worldwide.

Seagal hosted the April 20, 1991 episode of the late night variety show Saturday Night Live, which aired as the 18th episode of the 16th season. Cast member David Spade regarded Seagal as the show's worst host during Spade's time there. Spade and co-star Tim Meadows cite Seagal's humorlessness, his ill treatment of the show's cast and writers, and his refusal to do a "Hans and Franz" sketch because that skit's title characters stated that they could beat up Seagal. Seagal was never invited back to the show following that episode.[28][29] 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."[29] The cast and crew's difficulties with Seagal were later echoed on-air by producer Lorne 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."[30]

Seagal directed On Deadly Ground (1994). This film, in which he also starred, emphasized environmental and spiritual themes, signaling a break with his previous persona as a genre-ready inner-city cop. The film featured Michael Caine as well as R. Lee Ermey and Billy Bob Thornton in minor supporting roles. On Deadly Ground was poorly received by film critics,[31] but despite many critics denouncing Seagal's long environmental speech in the film, Seagal considers it to have been one of the most important and relevant moments in his career. Seagal filmed a sequel to one of his most successful films, Under Siege, titled Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995), and cop drama The Glimmer Man (1996). In 1996, he had a role in the Kurt Russell film Executive Decision, in which he played a special ops soldier who only appears in the film's first 45 minutes. He subsequently made another environmentally conscious film, Fire Down Below (1997), wherein he was an EPA agent fighting industrialists dumping toxic waste in the Kentucky hills, but the movie was commercially unsuccessful. This film ended his original multi-picture contract with Warner Bros.[citation needed]

Direct-to-video work The next year, 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. However, he 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 rap star Ja Rule, made less than $20 million worldwide.

All of 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, a movie released in Japan fifteen weeks earlier than the United States.[32]

Return to the big screen and television work In 2009, A&E Network premiered the reality television series; Steven Seagal: Lawman, focusing on Seagal as a deputy in Louisiana. In 2010, Seagal appeared in his first theatrically released film in nearly a decade, as the main villain in Robert Rodriguez' Machete. In 2011, he produced and starred in a 13-episode television series entitled True Justice. It was renewed for a second season on ReelzChannel in 2012.[33] In the UK, True Justice has been repackaged as a series of DVD "movies," with each disc editing together two episodes.

Themes and motifs 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 almost never face any significant physical threat, easily overpowering any opposition and never facing bodily harm or even temporary defeat.[34] A notable exception is 2010's Machete, which features Seagal in a rare villainous role.

Seagal's films 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, which ends with a lengthy speech in which Seagal (playing ex-CIA firefighter Forrest Taft) accuses big business of rampant environmental degradation:

Big Business is primarily responsible for destroying the water we drink, the air we breathe and the food we eat. They have no care for the world they destroy, only for the money they make in the process... They basically control the legislation, and, in fact, they control the Law... They influence the media so that they can control our minds. They have made it a crime to speak out for ourselves, and if we do so we're called "conspiracy nuts" and we're laughed at... We have to force these companies to operate safely and responsibly, and with all our best interests in mind.[35]

In 2008, author and critic Vern (no last name) published Seagalogy, a work which examines Seagal's filmography using the framework of auteur theory. The book divides Seagal's filmography into different chronological "eras" with distinct thematic elements. The book was updated in 2012 to include more recent films and Seagal's work on the reality TV show Steven Seagal: Lawman.[36]

Other ventures Music

Seagal live in 2007 In addition to acting and aikido, Seagal also plays the guitar. His songs have been featured in several of his movies, including Fire Down Below and Ticker. Among his "extensive" collection include guitars previously owned by "the Kings"; Albert, BB and Freddie, Bo Diddley, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Jimi Hendrix.[37]

In 2005, 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 parts of the world alongside an accompanying music video created for it. Seagal's second album, titled Mojo Priest, was released in April 2006. Subsequently, he spent summer 2006 touring the United States and Europe with his band, Thunderbox, in support of the album.

Law enforcement work 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, proving that he is an expert in all of these skills longtime sheriff Harry Lee was so impressed he asked Seagal to join the force. Seagal owns a second home in Louisiana and spends several months there every year.[38] According to the show, Seagal graduated from a police academy in Los Angeles over twenty years ago and has a certificate from Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST), an organization that accredits California police officers. However, POST officials in California and Louisiana have no record of Seagal being certified, and Seagal's rank in Louisiana is ceremonial.[39]

In November 2008, A&E announced that they had begun taping Steven Seagal: Lawman, which follows his work in the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. The series 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.[40]

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.[41] A&E resumed the show for the second season which began on October 6, 2010.

In February 2011, A&E announced that the series would begin production on Season 3 episodes, with a change of location from Louisiana to Maricopa County, Arizona.[42] Two episodes were scheduled to be aired beginning on January 4, 2012.[43] The episodes were announced by A&E, who created Facebook page for the series and listed in the TV guide. Shortly before the episodes were to be aired, the web and Facebook pages about the series were removed. A&E made no announcements about the sudden suspension of Season 3 or whether there would be a third season.

It was announced on May 16, 2013, that the third season would air on Reelz starting in January 2014. Episodes from the first two seasons began airing on June 6, 2013.[44] Season 3 premiered on January 2, 2014.

Business ventures

Steven Seagal's Lightning Bolt energy drink. In 1997, a company called Young Living Essential Oils announced it was "working closely" with Seagal on a line of "therapeutic oil" products. The company claimed that Seagal had also allowed them to "use his Montana ranch as an additional site to grow [the] plants used to distill Young Living's Essential Oils..."[9] As of 2015, the company does not mention Seagal or any products co-created with him on its official website.

In 2005, Seagal Enterprises began to market an energy drink known as Steven Seagal's Lightning Bolt. In the press material, Seagal claimed, "I have traveled the world creating this drink; there is none better that I know."[45] In 2009, his official Twitter profile released a tweet promising "Lightning Bolt will be back soon," but as of 2015 the official website is defunct and it appears that production has been discontinued.[46]

Seagal has also marketed an aftershave called "Scent of Action," and a range of knives and weapons.[47][48]

In 2013 Steven Seagal joined newly formed Russian firearms manufacturer ORSIS, representing the company in both a promotional capacity[11] as well as lobbying for the easement of US import restrictions on Russian sporting firearms.[49] It was also announced he would work with the company to develop a signature long range rifle known provisionally as "ORSIS by Steven Seagal".

Personal life He owns a dude ranch in Colorado and a home in the Mandeville Canyon section of Brentwood, a wealthy neighbourhood in Los Angeles. In November 2013, he adopted a Romanian stray dog.[50][51] Seagal is a Buddhist. 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.[52] Seagal's recognition aroused controversy in the American Buddhist community, with Helen Tworkov commenting in Tricycle to doubt the extent of Seagal's "spiritual wisdom" and to suggest that Seagal bought his Buddhahood by donations to Penor's Kunzang Palyul Choling center. Penor Rinpoche responded to the controversy by saying that Seagal, although acting in violent movies, had not actually killed people, and that Seagal was merely recognized, whereas enthronement as a tulku would require first a "lengthy process of study and practice".[53] Steven Seagal was granted Serbian citizenship on 11 January 2016, following several visits to the country, and has been asked to train Aikido to the Serbian Special Forces.[54]

Relationships and family

Seagal introduces his wife, Elle, to Matthieu Ricard (January 2, 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.[55][56]

In the United States, he married former Days of Our Lives actress Adrienne La Russa, despite his divorce to Miyako not yet being finalized. During his marriage to La Russa, Seagal reportedly saw actress and model Kelly Le Brock in the film Woman in Red and said that she was "his destiny".[57] They began an affair, and Le Brock became pregnant with his child. When news of this emerged, Seagal's marriage to La Russa was annulled. He subsequently married Le Brock on September 5, 1987, and had three children with her: daughters Annaliza and Arissa, and a son, Dominic. In 1994, Le Brock filed for divorce citing "irreconcilable differences". During this time, it emerged that Seagal was having an affair with Arissa Wolf, the family's nanny.[58] Seagal has a daughter with Arissa Wolf, Savannah.[59]

Seagal is currently married to Erdenetuya Batsukh (Mongolian: Эрдэнэтуяа Батсүх), better known as "Elle". They have one son together, Kunzang.[60] Elle is from Mongolia.[61] 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, where she worked as his interpreter during his visit to Mongolia.

Seagal has seven children from four relationships, and two grandchildren by his eldest son, Kentaro.[62] In addition to his biological offspring, Seagal is the guardian of Yabshi Pan Rinzinwangmo,[63] the only child of the 10th Panchen Lama of Tibet. When she studied in the United States, Seagal was her minder and bodyguard.[64]

Allegations and lawsuits Seagal has often been accused of sexual harassment during his film productions.[65][66] In May, 1991 (during the filming of Out for Justice), Warner Brothers' employees Raenne Malone, Nicole Selinger, and Christine Keeve accused Seagal of sexual harassment.[57] In return for remaining silent, Malone and another women reportedly received around $50,000 each in an out of court settlement.[57][67] In another incident, Jenny McCarthy claimed that Seagal asked her to undress during an audition for Under Siege 2.[68]

1995 lawsuit In 1995, Seagal was charged with employment discrimination, sexual harassment and breach of contract.[65] Cheryl Shuman filed a case against Seagal, accusing him of threatening and beating her during the filming of On Deadly Ground.[65] In August, 1995, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Hiroshi Fujisaki dismissed the case, calling the claims "repetitive and unintelligible".[65]

2010 lawsuit "The lawsuit filed by Kayden Nguyen against Steven Seagal is a ridiculous and absurd claim by a disgruntled ex-employee who was fired for using illegal narcotics."

— The written statement released by Seagal's attorney, Marty Singer, to CBS News (April 14, 2010).[69] On April 12, 2010, 23-year-old Kayden Nguyen filed a lawsuit against Seagal in a Los Angeles County Superior Court, specifying damages in excess of one million dollars.[69][70][71] In her suit, Nguyen made a number of allegations against Seagal, including: sexual harassment, the illegal trafficking of females for sex, failure to prevent sexual harassment, and wrongful termination.[69][70] Seagal personally denied the allegations, yet he was forced to suspend his show, Steven Seagal: Lawman, while his attorneys attempted to resolve the case privately.[70] On July 14, 2010, three months after Nguyen made her claims against Seagal, the case was voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiff without any public explanation.[72][73]

2011 lawsuit On August 30, 2011, Jesus Sanchez Llovera filed a lawsuit against Seagal over his part in a police raid that was taped for his A&E reality show, Steven Seagal: Lawman. Llovera was seeking $100,000; for damages made during the raid, and a letter of apology from Seagal to his children; for the death of their family pet. Llovera claimed that his 11 month old puppy was shot and killed during the raid.[74] The lawsuit was dismissed in January, 2013; Llovera failed to file court-ordered paperwork after his attorney withdrew from the case.[75]

Activism 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.[76] 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.[77]

Political views and friendship with Vladimir Putin

Seagal and Vladimir Putin, August 11, 2012. In a March, 2014 interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Seagal described Vladimir Putin as "one of the great living world leaders". He stated that he "would like to consider [Putin] as a brother", and expressed support for the annexation of Crimea by Russia.[15] In July, 2014, following calls for a boycott, Seagal was dropped from the lineup of the August Blues Festival in Haapsalu, Estonia.[78][79] Estonian musician Tõnis Mägi, the minister of Foreign Affairs, Urmas Paet, and Parliament's Foreign Affairs chairman, Marko Mihkelson, had all condemned inviting Seagal into the country,[79] with Paet stating, "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."[80] 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.[81][82]

In 1999, Seagal was awarded a PETA Humanitarian Award.[83][84][85]

Stunts Year Film Functioned as Notes Martial arts instructor Choreographer Stunt coordinator 1982 The Challenge Yes Credited as "Steve Seagal". 1983 Never Say Never Again Yes Uncredited Seagal accidentally broke Sean Connery's wrist during production.[6] 1985 A View to a Kill Yes 1988 Above the Law Yes 1990 Hard to Kill Yes Yes 1990 Marked for Death Yes 2013 Force of Execution Yes Filmography Films Year Film Functioned as Notes Director Producer Writer Music Actor Role 1988 Above the Law Yes Yes Yes Nico Toscani 1990 Hard to Kill Yes Mason Storm 1990 Marked for Death Yes Yes Yes John Hatcher 1991 Out for Justice Yes Yes Yes Det. Gino Felino Gene LeBell, the film's stunt coordinator, claimed to have choken Seagal unconscious on the production set.[86] 1992 Under Siege Yes Yes Casey Ryback 1994 On Deadly Ground Yes Yes Yes Forrest Taft 1995 Under Siege 2: Dark Territory Yes Yes Yes Casey Ryback Sequel to Under Siege. 1996 Executive Decision Yes Lt. Colonel Austin Travis Supporting role 1996 The Glimmer Man Yes Yes Yes Lt. Jack Cole 1997 Fire Down Below Yes Yes Yes Jack Taggart 1998 My Giant Yes Himself Cameo 1998 The Patriot Yes Yes Dr. Wesley McClaren Direct-to-video 1998 Not Even The Trees Yes Direct-to-video 2000 Prince of Central Park Yes Direct-to-video 2001 The Path Beyond Thought Yes Yes Himself/Narrator Documentary Executive producer 2001 Exit Wounds Yes Orin Boyd 2001 Ticker Yes Yes Frank Glass Limited release 2002 Half Past Dead Yes Yes Sasha Petrosevitch 2003 The Foreigner Yes Yes Jonathan Cold Direct-to-video 2003 Out for a Kill Yes Yes Prof. Robert Burns Direct-to-video 2003 Belly of the Beast Yes Yes Jake Hopper Direct-to-video 2004 Out of Reach Yes William Lansing Direct-to-video 2004 Clementine Yes Jack Miller Limited release 2005 Into the Sun Yes Yes Yes Travis Hunter Direct-to-video Also received "story by" credit. 2005 Submerged Yes Chris Cody Direct-to-video 2005 Today You Die Yes Yes Harlan Banks Direct-to-video 2005 Dragon Squad Yes Limited release 2005 Black Dawn Yes Yes Jonathan Cold Direct-to-video Sequel to The Foreigner. 2006 Mercenary for Justice Yes John Seeger Direct-to-video 2006 Shadow Man Yes Yes Yes Jack Foster Direct-to-video 2006 Attack Force Yes Yes Yes Cmdr. Marshall Lawson Direct-to-video 2007 Flight of Fury Yes Yes John Sands Direct-to-video 2007 Urban Justice Yes Yes Simon Ballister Direct-to-video 2008 Pistol Whipped Yes Yes Matt Conlin Direct-to-video 2008 The Onion Movie Yes Cock Puncher Direct-to-video Supporting role 2008 Kill Switch Yes Yes Yes Jacob King Direct-to-video In 2009, it was given a theatrical release exclusively in the UAE.[87] 2009 Against the Dark Yes Tao Direct-to-video 2009 Driven to Kill Yes Ruslan Drachev Direct-to-video 2009 The Keeper Yes Yes Yes Roland Sallinger Limited release 2010 A Dangerous Man Yes Shane Daniels Direct-to-video 2010 Machete Yes Rogelio Torrez Seagal's first wide release since 2002. 2010 Sheep Impact Yes Paul Weland Short film 2011 Born to Raise Hell Yes Yes Yes Robert "Bobby" Samuels Direct-to-video 2012 Maximum Conviction Yes Cross Direct-to-video 2013 Force of Execution Yes Yes John Alexander Direct-to-video 2014 A Good Man Yes Yes John Alexander Direct-to-video Prequel to Force of Execution. 2014 Gutshot Straight Yes Paulie Trunks Direct-to-video Supporting role 2015 Absolution Yes John Alexander Direct-to-video Sequel to A Good Man. 2016 Code of Honor Yes Robert Sikes 2016 Sniper: Special Ops Yes Jake 2016 The Asian Connection Yes Gan Sirankiri 2016 Killing Salazar Yes Harrison 2016 End of a Gun Yes Decker Television Year Film Functioned as Notes Writer Executive producer Actor Role 1991 Saturday Night Live Yes Host Seagal hosted the episode "Steven Seagal/Michael Bolton". The cast and crew found him difficult to work with, and he is reportedly "banned" from appearing on the show again.[88] The creator of Saturday Night Live, Lorne Michaels, referred to him as the "worst host" ever.[89] 2009–present Steven Seagal: Lawman Yes Yes Himself Also the creator. 2011–2012 True Justice Yes Yes Yes Elijah Kane Also the creator. Awards and nominations Year Nominated work Award Category Results 1995 On Deadly Ground Golden Raspberry Award Worst Actor Nominated 1995 On Deadly Ground Golden Raspberry Award Worst Picture (shared with Julius R. Nasso and A. Kitman Ho) Nominated 1995 On Deadly Ground Golden Raspberry Award Worst Director Won 1997 Executive Decision Golden Raspberry Award Worst Supporting Actor Nominated 1998 Fire Down Below Golden Raspberry Award Worst Actor Nominated 1998 Fire Down Below Golden Raspberry Award Worst Picture (shared with Julius R. Nasso) Nominated 1998 Fire Down Below Golden Raspberry Award Worst Screen Couple (shared with "his guitar") Nominated 1998 Fire Down Below Golden Raspberry Award Worst Original Song (shared with Mark Collie for the song "Fire Down Below") Nominated 2003 Half Past Dead Golden Raspberry Award Worst Actor Nominated Discography 2005: Songs from the Crystal Cave 2006: Mojo Priest See also Steve 'N' Seagulls, name of the band is a pun on the actor. iconAnimal rights portal Biography portal Blues portal iconBuddhism portal iconCountry Music portal Film portal Martial Arts portal iconTelevision in the United States portal United States portal References ^ Jump up to: a b [1] Archived June 29, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ /sᵻˈɡɑːl/. Jump up ^ "Biography » Steven Seagal Official Website". Retrieved 4 August 2014. Jump up ^ Goldstein, Patrick (1988-02-14). "Steven Seagal Gets a Shot at Stardom". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-11-25. 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Brazil Times. 25 August 2010. Retrieved 8 August 2014. Jump up ^ Cheng, Mark (April 2004). "Thundering AIKIDO: Former Steven Seagal Protégé Haruo Matsuoka Speaks About the Early Days of Aikido in America". Black Belt. Cheryl Angelheart: 106. ISSN 0277-3066. OCLC 4949089. Retrieved 8 August 2014. Jump up ^ "HOLY CRAP! Anderson Silva trains with Steven Seagal - FIGHT VIDEO forum". Mmator.com. 2010-06-20. Retrieved 2014-07-12. Jump up ^ Maggie Hendricks. "Steven Seagal helped Anderson Silva with KO front kick". Yahoo!. Jump up ^ John Morgan. "Machida credits training changes, Seagal for UFC 129 win over Couture". MMAjunkie. Jump up ^ "UFC 129 main card results: St-Pierre outjabs Shields, Aldo retains in thrilling finish". MMAjunkie. Jump up ^ Goldstein, Patrick (1988-02-14). "Steven Seagal Gets a Shot at Stardom". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-11-29. Jump up ^ Venable, Nick (October 29, 2015). "The Worst Saturday Night Live Host Ever, According To David Spade". CinemaBlend. ^ Jump up to: a b Miller, James Andrew; Shales, Tom (October 6, 2015). "He+just+wasn’t+funny+and+he+was+very+critical+of+the+cast+and+the+writing+staff"&source=bl&ots=pr5orHOwao&sig=_WRkWSaOutlLOh1ZXPJfkAPklDk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=SKhOVaDrFIKRsAXez4HIBQ&ved=0CB8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=StevenSeagal&f=false 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. Jump up ^ "Season 18: Episode 1". Saturday Night Live Transcripts. Retrieved October 29, 2015. Jump up ^ "On Deadly Ground". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2014-07-12. Jump up ^ IMDB.com (2010). "The Keeper (2009/I) – Release dates". IMDB.com. Retrieved 2010-04-24. Jump up ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 26, 2012). "ReelzChannel Orders Second Season Of Steven Seagal's 'True Justice'". Deadline.com. Jump up ^ Vern (2008). Seagalogy: A Study of the Ass-Kicking Films of Steven Seagal. Titan Books. p. 12. Jump up ^ "IMDb quote page". IMDB.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12. Jump up ^ "Seagalogy: Updated and Expanded Edition « The Life and Art of Vern". Outlawvern.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12. Jump up ^ Marshall, Wolf. "Albert King's Flying Vs", Vintage Guitar, published June, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2016. Jump up ^ Strauss, Gary (2009-12-02). "'Lawman' finds Steven Seagal fighting crime for real". USA Today. Retrieved 2009-12-10. Jump up ^ Glover, Scott (December 2, 2009). "Steven Seagal gets to play cop". Los Angeles Times. Jump up ^ Andy Denhart (2008-11-23). "Steven Seagal: Lawman coming to A&E". realityblurred.com. Retrieved 2008-11-23. Jump up ^ "Steven Seagal's TV Show – Suspended By Cops". TMZ. Jump up ^ "Steven Seagal Lawman Begins Production on Season Three in Maricopa County, Arizona". Seat42F. February 22, 2011. Jump up ^ "Steven Seagal Lawman Episodes on A&E". TV Guide. January 4, 2012. Jump up ^ "Lost Season of "Steven Seagal Lawman" to Air on Reelz". The Futon Critic. May 15, 2013. Jump up ^ Larry Carroll (2005-08-22). "Steven Seagal's Next Target? The Nap – Action star creates energy drink called Lightning Bolt". MTV.com. Retrieved 2006-05-07. Jump up ^ Vern (2008). Seagalogy: A Study of the Ass-Kicking Films of Steven Seagal. Titan Books. p. 245. Jump up ^ Hyde, Marina (27 August 2009). "Steven Seagal: Lawman. Does it get any better?". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 April 2015. Jump up ^ "STEVEN SEAGAL SIGNATURE SERIES". Cold Steel. Retrieved April 7, 2015. Jump up ^ "Moscow Times - Seagal to promote Russian Rifle model". October 2013. Retrieved 2014-12-09. Jump up ^ "Steven Seagal adopts a dog in Romania". Sunday Express. 18 November 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2014. Jump up ^ "Steven Seagal adopts stray puppy in Romania". New York Post. 18 November 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2014. Jump up ^ "The People's Princess Yabshi-Pan-Rinzinwangmo". DorjeShugden.com. 30 January 2010. Jump up ^ Schell, Orville (2001). "Tinseltown Tulkus". Virtual Tibet: Searching for Shangri-La from the Himalayas to Hollywood. Henry Holt and Company. pp. 73–74. Jump up ^ "Steven Seagal gets Serbian citizenship". Russia Today. 12 January 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2016. Jump up ^ Paul Smith. "E! TV- "E! True Hollywood Story" – Steven Seagal". E!. Retrieved 2006-06-25. Jump up ^ "Mini Facts". Retrieved 2007-01-27. ^ Jump up to: a b c Spy. Sussex Publishers, LLC. 1993-07-08. p. 58-. ISSN 0890-1759. Retrieved 11 February 2013. Jump up ^ "Spiritually Retreat With Steven Seagal". Luke Ford. Retrieved 2007-01-27. Jump up ^ "Steven Seagal Wife and Kelly Le Brock!". News.lalate.com. 2010-04-13. Retrieved 2014-07-12. Jump up ^ "Proud father of seven Steven Seagal shows off baby son on reality show". Daily Mail. London. 2010-10-21. Retrieved 2010-10-23. Jump up ^ "Los Angeles City Ethics Commission - Search Contributions to Candidates and Officeholders". Ethics.lacity.org. Retrieved 2014-07-12. Jump up ^ "kentaro profile". Tenshindojous.com. 1975-10-03. Retrieved 2014-07-12. Jump up ^ Charles Carreon. "Steven Seagal Comes Out of the Buddhist Closet". American Buddha Online Library. Retrieved 2007-05-24. Jump up ^ Isabel Hilton (2003-04-02). "Buddha's daughter: A young Tibetan-Chinese woman". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on 2006-06-30. Retrieved 2006-05-07. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Black Belt. Active Interest Media, Inc. June 1995. p. 21. ISSN 0277-3066. Retrieved 11 February 2013. Jump up ^ Hadden, Briton; Luce, Henry Robinson (1993). Time. Time Inc. p. 55. Retrieved 11 February 2013. Jump up ^ People Entertainment Almanac. People Magazine, Cader Books. 1 November 2000. p. 522. ISBN 978-1-929049-07-3. Retrieved 11 February 2013. Jump up ^ Buchanan, Kyle (2010-04-16). "EXCLUSIVE: The Full Steven Seagal Story Jenny McCarthy Told Movieline in 1998". Movieline. Retrieved 2014-07-12. ^ Jump up to: a b c Martinez, Edecio (April 14, 2010). "Kayden Nguyen (NEW PICTURES): I Manipulate Men, Says Steven Seagal "Sex Toy" Accuser". CBS. Retrieved November 6, 2010. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Steven Seagal sued for sexual assault". BBC. April 14, 2010. Retrieved November 6, 2010. Jump up ^ "Steven Seagal Sued for Sex Trafficking, Assault". Fox News. April 13, 2010. Retrieved November 6, 2010. Jump up ^ "Steven Seagal sexual harassment case dismissed". BBC. July 15, 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2010. Jump up ^ "Steven Seagal's Sex Trafficking 'n' Harassment Suit Dismissed". E! Online. 2010-07-14. Retrieved 2014-07-12. Jump up ^ "Steven Seagal Threatened With Lawsuit Over Police Raid Taped for Reality Show (Report) - Yahoo TV". Tv.yahoo.com. 2011-08-30. Retrieved 2014-07-12. Jump up ^ "Laveen man pleads guilty to cockfighting". Azcentral.com. 2013-01-25. Retrieved 2014-07-12. Jump up ^ "Medicine Lake Video / About The Video Project". Green Man Productions. Archived from the original on 2 August 2008. Retrieved 8 August 2014. Jump up ^ Steven Seagal (7 February 2003). "Letter to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand by Steven Seagal" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 December 2007. Retrieved 8 August 2014. Jump up ^ Amundsen, Michael (July 20, 2014). "Steven Seagal dropped from Estonia music festival lineup after outcry". The Guardian. ^ Jump up to: a b "Steven Seagal's upcoming performance in Estonia draws criticism". Baltic News. 2014-07-17. Retrieved 2014-07-17. Jump up ^ "Steven Seagal's Estonia gig nixed over pro-Russia stance". Agence France-Presse. 2014-07-29. Jump up ^ Kates, Glenn (August 11, 2014). "Sevastopol's Olympic-Sized Take On Ukraine: Bikers, Ballet, And Swastikas". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Jump up ^ Seddon, Max (August 11, 2014). "Watch The Pro-Putin Rally Where The War In Ukraine Was Performed By A Motorbike Gang". BuzzFeed. Jump up ^ Lodish, Emily (7 June 2013). "Steven Seagal: International man of mystery". GlobalPost. Retrieved 3 August 2014. Jump up ^ "Steven Seagal - TV.com". TV.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 8 August 2014. Jump up ^ Finn, Natalie (1 September 2011). "Did Steven Seagal Kill a Dog During a Cockfight Bust?". E! Online. E!. Retrieved 8 August 2014. Jump up ^ Mancini, Vince. "Judo Gene Lebell confirms choking Steven Seagal until Seagal pooped himself", uproxx.com, published 3/12/12. Retrieved March 18. 2015. Jump up ^ "UAE Weekend Box Office (September 19th, 2009)", www.movies.theemiratesnetwork.com, published 2009. Retrieved 09-01-2015. Jump up ^ Sherrow, Rita. "'SNL' turns 40: Banned from 'Saturday Night Live'", www.tulsaworld.com, published 09-27-2014. Retrieved 09-01-2015. Jump up ^ Fee, Rob. "10 People Who Have Been Banned From 'Saturday Night Live'", www.mandatory.com, published 10-13-2013. Retrieved 09-01-2015. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Steven Seagal. 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Steven Seagal Biography Showing all 71 items Jump to: Overview (4) | Mini Bio (1) | Spouse (4) | Trade Mark (6) | Trivia (47) | Personal Quotes (9) Overview (4) Date of Birth 10 April 1952, Lansing, Michigan, USA Birth Name Steven Frederic Seagal Nicknames The Great One Lord Steven The Master of Aikido Height 6' 4" (1.93 m) Mini Bio (1) Steven Seagal is a striking and somewhat boyishly handsome (often with ponytail) action star who burst onto the martial arts film scene in 1988 in the fast-paced Warner Bros. film Above the Law (1988).

Steven Frederic Seagal was born in Lansing, Michigan, to Patricia Anne (Fisher), a medical technician, and Samuel Seagal, a high school math teacher. His paternal grandparents were Russian Jewish immigrants, and his mother had English, German, and Dutch ancestry. The enigmatic Seagal commenced his martial arts training at the age of seven under the tutelage of well-known karate instructor and author Fumio Demura, and in the 1960s commenced his aikido training in Orange County, CA, under the instruction of Harry Ishisaka. Seagal received his first dan accreditation in 1974, after he had moved to Japan to further his martial arts training. After spending many years there honing his skills, he achieved the ranking of a 7th dan in the Japanese martial art "aikido" and was instructing wealthy clients in Los Angeles when he came to the attention of Hollywood power broker Michael Ovitz.

Ovitz saw star value in the imposing-looking Seagal. The high-octane action movie genre was in full swing in the late 1980s, and Seagal's debut movie, "Above the Law", was wildly received by action fans and actually received some complimentary critical reviews. He followed up "Above the Law" with another slam-bang thriller, Hard to Kill (1990), as a cop shot in an ambush by the mob who revives from a coma to take his revenge. The movie also starred Seagal's wife at the time, leggy Kelly LeBrock, who was married to him from 1987 to 1996 and is the mother of three of his children. His next outing was battling voodoo-using Jamaican drug "posses" in the hyper-violent Marked for Death (1990), before returning to fight psychotic mob gangster William Forsythe in the even more punishing Out for Justice (1991). Seagal was by now enormously popular, and his next movie, the big-budgeted Under Siege (1992), set aboard the battleship USS Missouri and also starring Tommy Lee Jones and Gary Busey, was arguably his best film to date, impressing both fans and critics alike.

Seagal's fighting style was rather different from that of other on-screen martial arts dynamos such as Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris and Jean-Claude Van Damme, who were predominantly fighters from striking arts background such as karate or tang soo do. However, aikido is built around using an opponent's inertia and body weight to employ various locks, chokes and holds that incapacitate him. Seagal carries himself differently, too, and often appears wearing Italian designer clothes and usually favors an all-black outfit, generally with a three-quarter-length coat with an elaborate trim. Additionally, Seagal's on-screen characters were often seemingly benign or timid individuals; however, when the going gets rough they reveal themselves to be deadly ex-CIA operatives, or retired Special Forces soldiers capable of enormous destruction!

As his box-office drawing power grew, Seagal began to infuse his film projects with his personal and spiritual beliefs, especially concerning the abuse of the environment. He appeared as an oil fire expert who turns against his corrupt CEO (played by Michael Caine) in On Deadly Ground (1994) to save the Eskimo population from an oil disaster; in Fire Down Below (1997) he plays an environmental agency troubleshooter investigating the dumping of toxic waste in Kentucky coal mines, and in the slow-moving The Patriot (1998) he plays a medical specialist trying to stop a lethal virus unleashed by an extremist group.

Action fans struggled to come to terms with social messaging being built into bone-crunching fight films; however, Seagal's box-office clout remained fairly strong, and more traditional chopsocky projects followed with the "buddy cop" film The Glimmer Man (1996), then almost a cameo role as a Navy SEAL alongside CIA analyst Kurt Russell before Seagal is sucked out of a jet at 35,000 feet in Executive Decision (1996).

In 1999 Seagal took a different turn in his film projects with the surprising genteel Prince of Central Park (2000), about a child living inside NYC's most famous park. He returned to more familiar territory with further high-voltage, guns-blazing action in Exit Wounds (2001), Half Past Dead (2002), Out for a Kill (2003) and Belly of the Beast (2003).

Unbeknownst to many, in 1997 Seagal publicly announced that one of his Buddhist teachers, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, had accorded Seagal as a tulku, the reincarnation of a Buddhist Lama. This initial announcement was met with some disbelief until Penor Rinpoche himself gave a confirmation statement on Seagal's new title. Seagal has repeatedly discussed his involvement in Buddhism and how he devotes many hours studying and meditating this ancient Eastern religion.

While his box-office appeal has somewhat declined from his halcyon blockbusters of the mid-'90s, Seagal still has a very loyal fan base in the action movie genre and continues to remain a highly bankable star. - IMDb Mini Biography By: firehouse44@hotmail.com

Spouse (4) Erdenetuya Batsukh (2009 - present) (1 child) Kelly LeBrock (5 September 1987 - 1996) (divorced) (3 children) Adrienne Larussa (31 May 1984 - 1987) (annulled) Miyako Fujitani (December 1974 - 1987) (divorced) (2 children) Trade Mark (6) Ponytail In all of his films, he is seen holding a Colt M1911A1 semi-automatic pistol. He owns several in his private collection. Uses Aikido in fight scenes Quiet, husky voice Corrugated eyes Towering height Trivia (47) Is the first foreigner ever to own and operate an Aikido dojo in Japan. Known as "Master Take Shigemichi", he was the chief instructor at the Aikido Tenshin Dojo in the city of Osaka. Has three children with Kelly LeBrock: Annaliza, Dominick, and Arissa. Is an Aikido-master - 7th Dan. Father of Kentaro Seagal and Ayako Fujitani. His love of guitar and appreciation of rasta music led him to study with a teacher in Jamaica, where he owns a vacation home. His Santa Inez (CA) home includes 200 acres planted with cabernet grapes, which are sold to wineries after harvesting. Master in Japanese Kendo. Has been a bodyguard. Broke Sean Connery's wrist when he was teaching him martial arts during the filming of Never Say Never Again (1983). His first seven films were all starring roles, ending with Executive Decision (1996). Is a singer and guitarist. Has worked with Damian Chapa and Byron Mann in two of his films as his teammates. He worked with Chapa in Under Siege (1992), in which Chapa is a fellow sailor, and with Mann in Belly of the Beast (2003), in which Mann's character is his friend and partner. Owns a very large collection of guitars and samurai swords. While his acting in Above the Law (1988) 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, some people refer to embracing typecasting as "Seagalism." The February 17, 1989 draft of the screenplay for Hard to Kill (1990) credits Steven Pressfield & Ronald Shusett & Steven Seagal as writers. Pressfield & Shusett are not credited in the final film and Seagal only received an acting credit. Speaks Japanese fluently. All of his main leading role movies have been rated R except for Half Past Dead (2002) which was the only Seagal film to be PG-13. He and Jackie Chan are friends and Chan offered him the role of the villain in Rush Hour 3 (2007), but Seagal turned it down. Used to own a production company with Julius R. Nasso called Seagal/Nasso Productions from 1994-2000. As of 2006, his movies have earned $600 million worldwide. Discovered by then-head of Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Michael Ovitz, who was one of Seagal's martial arts students. Father of Savannah Seagal with Arissa Wolf. He agreed to star in Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995) if Warner Bros. allowed him to direct On Deadly Ground (1994). Owns new production company Streamroller Productions with Bing Dang and Joe Halpin after his old production company Seagal/Nasso Productions dissolved. Although he is a master in Aikido and Kendo, he also holds black belts in Karate and Judo. As of 2009, all of his movies had been released direct to video since 2003 (although The Patriot (1998) and Ticker (2001) had the same fate). This will end with Robert Rodriguez's Machete (2010). Was asked to play a cameo in Sylvester Stallone's Ha'bilti nishkahim (2010), but had to turn it down because of his fallout relationship with producer Avi Lerner. However, Seagal joined in another big ensemble film, Machete (2010). For almost 20 years, Seagal has been working as a fully commissioned deputy with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office in Louisiana. Was already 36 when he made his acting debut in Above the Law (1988). Lives in Jefferson Parish in Louisiana while he works as a police officer. While filming an episode of Steven Seagal: Lawman (2009), the torso of one of his daughters shows up in the background of a shot while the crew is filming the training of Steven's two German Shepherds. Has been visiting children's hospitals for more than 25 years, and has stated that he will continue to do so until the day that he dies. Offered his fellow Sheriff's Deputies free tickets to a concert benefiting the New Orleans Children's Hospital. They accepted the offer and attended the concert. Has another child with Arissa (the nanny during his marriage to Kelly LeBrock, for which their third child was named after). Has a sister named Brenda who lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The UFC and MMA Brazilian fighter Anderson Silva (aka "The Spider") has learned some moves with him. Steven's mother, Patricia Anne (Fisher), was born in Michigan, and Steven's father, Samuel Seagal, was born in Rhode Island. Steven's paternal grandparents, Nathan Seagal (originally Siegelman) and Dora Goldstein, were Russian Jewish immigrants. Steven's maternal grandparents, Fred Joseph Fisher and Lanah Irene Lewis, were from families that had lived in the United States for many generations. Steven's mother had English, German, and Dutch ancestry. In an interview on Reelz Channel (aired January 4, 2013), he stated he has worked with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, for over 25 years. Appeared in Mountain Dew commercial. [April 2004] Is involved with an energy drink line, Lightning Bolt, that is available at Wal-Mart. [March 2006] (January 5, 2014) According to The Washington Times, Steven Seagal announced that he is considering running for the governorship of Arizona. Typically spends only three hours a day on set. His favorite movies include Three Days of the Condor (1975), The Manchurian Candidate (1962), and Bad Day at Black Rock (1955). His favorite actors include James Mason, John Gielgud, Clint Eastwood, Gary Cooper, Spencer Tracy, and Robert Redford. Claimed in 1993 that his daily exercise regime comprised a two-hour workout of cardiovascular exercise (treadmill) and weightlifting, followed by private martial art instruction. Married second wife Adrienne Larussa before his divorce from first wife Miyako Fujitani was finalized (they married in Japan). He eventually had the marriage to Larussa annulled when he began dating third wife Kelly LeBrock, who became pregnant with the couple's first child. Steven Seagal acquired Serbian citizenship on January 10th 2016. Personal Quotes (9) I am hoping that I can be known as a great writer and actor some day, rather than a sex symbol. [on what he thinks are the most important lessons that one should strive to live by in Aikido] Try to find the path of least resistance and use it without harming others. Live with integrity and morality, not only with people but with all beings. [on his feelings regarding past movies] Hollywood is a mercurial place where people are sort of . . . a victim of their environment and how the environment changes. Movies that would be timely now, ten years from now would be passé and nobody would be interested in the subjects. All the movies that I have done I have not been in control of. Sometimes there is a contractual situation where you go to the studio and they kind of tell you which ones they want you to do. Be that as it may, I have also been lucky in the sense that I have been able to make environmentally conscientious movies as well as politically conscientious movies. Above the Law (1988) was a politically conscientious movie. On Deadly Ground (1994) was environmentally conscientious, so I want to keep making movies like that which are more geared with a certain entertainment value but also bring people forward into contemplation. [on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the Philippines] I've never met her, but my impression of her is that she's very straight, sincere, honest, really talented president, and I hope she gets re-elected. [on actors who become political leaders] [Ronald Reagan] was a pretty good one, but I think it really depends on the situation. The secret is not to act, but to be. Action films are great, but an action film that has characters that are compelling and a story that people can care about is something even better. We love to see action heroes that are vulnerable, that are sensitive, that are family people, that are accessible. False FBI accusations fueled thousands of articles saying that I terrorize journalists and associate with the Mafia . . . these kinds of inflammatory allegations scare studio heads and independent producers -- and kill careers. [on rumors that he is difficult to work with] I think if I'm with professional people, I'm easy to work with. But it's real hard for me if I have to work with somebody who doesn't know what they're doing. Because my name and my reputation are on the line.

סטיבן סיגל סטיבן סיגל Steven seagalpa.jpg סטיבן סיגל, 2006 שם במה סטיבן סיגל תאריך לידה 10 באפריל 1952 (בן 64) מקום לידה לאנסינג, מישיגן דמות ידועה ניקו טוסקני (ניקו) קייסי רובק (סרטי מצור ימי) רוג'ליאו טורז (מצ'טה) בכורה סרט פעולה בשם "ניקו" עיסוקים אחרים מוזיקה http://stevenseagal.com/ פרופיל ב-IMDb סטיבן סיגל (באנגלית: Steven Frederic Seagal; נולד ב-10 באפריל 1952) הוא אמן לחימה, שחקן, מפיק, תסריטאי ובמאי קולנוע אמריקאי, ממוצא יהודי. שייך לדור גיבורי הפעולה בקולנוע, דוגמת ארנולד שוורצנגר, סילבסטר סטאלון, דולף לונדגרן וז'אן קלוד ואן דאם שהופיעו ברבים מלהיטי המסך של סוף שנות ה-80 ושנות ה-90. פעיל למען איכות הסביבה ומשמש מספר חודשים בשנה כסגן שריף בקהילת מחוז ג'פרסון שבמדינת לואיזיאנה.

תוכן עניינים [%D7%94%D7%A1%D7%AA%D7%A8%D7%94] 1 ביוגרפיה 1.1 קריירת קולנוע 1.2 חייו האישים 2 פילמוגרפיה 3 קישורים חיצוניים ביוגרפיה[%D7%A2%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9B%D7%AA קוד מקור | עריכה] סיגל נולד בלאנסינג, מישיגן שם חי עד גיל חמש, כאשר המשפחה עברה לקליפורניה. אביו, סמואל סטיבן סיגל (1928-1991), מורה למתמטיקה בתיכון, היה יהודי, ואמו פטרישיה (1930-2003), טכנאית רפואית בחדר מיון, הייתה נוצרייה קתולית ממוצא אירי. בגיל 7 החל ללמוד קראטה בשיטת שיטוריו ואייקידו, וזכה לחגורות באייקידו, קראטה, ג'ודו וקנדו בשנות נעוריו המאוחרות. את לימודי התיכון סיים בבית ספר בואנה פארק בפולרטון, קליפורניה.

לאחר שסיים את לימודיו בקולג' עבר ליפן. הוא החל את הקריירה שלו כמדריך אייקידו באוסקה שביפן, ולימד שם מספר אמנויות לחימה, בהן קראטה ואייקידו. הוא היה האמריקאי הראשון שאינו יפני שהפעיל דוג'ו (מרכז ללימודי אמנויות לחימה) באוסקה. גובהו 1.93 מ', הוא בעל חגורה שחורה דאן-8 באייקידו. לאחר תקופה של כ-15 שנה ביפן חזר לארצות הברית ועבד כשומר ראש. לאחר מכן עבר ללוס אנג'לס.

קריירת קולנוע[%D7%A2%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9B%D7%AA קוד מקור | עריכה] בשנת 1988 בעזרתו ובעידודו של סוכן שאצלו עבד סיגל, הופיע לראשונה בקולנוע במותחן פעולה בשם "ניקו" שבוים על ידי אנדרו דייויס. למרות תקציבו הדל, הסרט נחשב להצלחה קופתית מרשימה שהפכה את סיגל לכוכב. מאז הוא המשיך לככב בסרטי פעולה מצליחים כגון "חשבון פתוח" (1990), "סימן קטלני" (1990), "סוגר חשבון" (1991) ובמה שנחשב לשיא הצלחתו "מצור ימי" (1992) לצדו של טומי לי ג'ונס וגארי ביוסי, וגם השיתוף שני של סיגל עם הבמאי אנדרו דיוויס. "מצור ימי" הפך לשובר בקופות ופרץ את סיגל למיינסטרים לצדם של ארנולד שוורצנגר, סילבסטר סטאלון וז'אן קלוד ואן דאם.

ב-1994 לאחר הצלחה מרשימה, סיגל ניצל את המומנטום בסרטו הראשון שהוא מככב וגם מביים בשם "על קרקע בוערת", סרט פעולה שמתמקד על איכות הסביבה, אולם הסרט נכשל מבחינה קופתית וקיבל ביקורת נוקבת מאוד שאף הביאה לו את פרס ראזי המשפיל. שנה לאחר מכן שב לגלם את דמותו המפורסמת בסרט המשך למצור ימי בשם "תחת מצור 2: הצד האפל" שיצא ב-1995. הסרט קבל ביקורת מעורבת, אבל הכנסותיו היו מאכזבות בניגוד לקודמו. ב-1996 שיחק תפקיד משנה לצד קורט ראסל בסרט מתח "החלטה גורלית" שנחשב להצלחה קופתית.

החל מסוף 1996 הקריירה הקולנועית של סיגל החלה לדעוך, לאחר שסרטים כמו "מרדף הצללים" (1996) ו"עיר במצור" (1997) נכשלו ברצף, ועם סיום החוזה בין סיגל להאחים וורנר מאז 1988. ב-1998 סיגל כיכב בסרטו הראשון שיוצא ישירות לווידאו "הפטריוט", סרטו השלישי שמתמקד באיכות הסביבה. ב-2001 שלוש שנים מאז סרטו האחרון שיצא לקולנוע סיגל שב למסך הגדול עם סרט הפעולה "בשם החוק" לצד הראפר DMX. הסרט הפך ללהיט לא צפוי בקופות ונחשב לקאמבק הגדול של סיגל. למרות זאת הוא לא הצליח לחזור על ההצלחה עם הסרט "חצי מת" (2002) שנכשל ואף לא כיסה את תקציבו. באותה תקופה שיחק סיגל תפקיד משנה בסרט "אומנות החבלה" לצדם של טום סייזמור ודניס הופר, שיצא ישירות ל-DVD. מאז עבר סיגל כמעט קבוע לככב בסרטי פעולה שיוצאים ישירות ל-DVD, רובם צולמו בתקציב נמוך ברחבי אירופה ואסיה. ב-2010 אחרי כמעט עשור, חזר לקולנוע בסרטו של רוברט רודריגז "מצ'טה" לצד דני טרחו, ג'סיקה אלבה ורוברט דה נירו.

חייו האישים[%D7%A2%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9B%D7%AA קוד מקור | עריכה] פרט לקולנוע פעיל סיגל בתחומים נוספים. הוא זמר, מוזיקאי וגיטריסט, וכן ייסד חברה בשם "מפעלי סטיבן סיגל", המשווקת משקה אנרגיה הקרוי על שמו, ובכוונתה לשווק מוצרים נוספים מסוג זה.

סיגל נישא ארבע פעמים ואב לשבעה ילדים. פעיל לשמירה על איכות הסביבה ועל זכויות בעלי חיים. כמו כן, הוא פעיל למען חירותה של טיבט, ותומך בדאלאי לאמה. סיגל מתעניין בעניינים שברוח, ואמר כי הבודהיזם מהווה חלק חשוב בחייו. הוא הוכר בידי הלאמה פנור רינפוצ'ה, כטולקו, גלגול נשמות של נזיר בודהיסטי שנדר את נדר הבודהיסטאווה, להביא את כל בני האדם לנירוואנה כל עוד נמשך מחזור הסמסרה של המוות והלידה מחדש.

ב-20 שנה האחרונות משרת סטיבן סיגל גם כסגן שריף בעיירה קטנה במחוז ג'פרסון שבמדינת לואיזיאנה, ארצות הברית. במהלך 2009 הצטלם סיגל לסדרת ריאליטי הנקראת "סטיבן סיגל: איש חוק" המתעדת את פעילות השיטור בה עוסק סיגל.

ב-2010 הציע השחקן סילבסטר סטאלון לסיגל להשתתף בסרט הפעולה "בלתי נשכחים", שנועד להחזיר את כוכבי סרטי האקשן של הדור קודם, אך הוא סירב בשל בעיות יחסים עם מפיק הסרט אבי לרנר, שעבד עם סיגל בסרטיו הקודמים.

פילמוגרפיה[%D7%A2%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9B%D7%AA קוד מקור | עריכה]

סטיבן סיגל, 2008 1988 - ניקו ("מעל החוק") (Above the Law) 1990 - חשבון פתוח (Hard to Kill) 1990 - סימן קטלני (Marked for Death) 1991 - סוגר חשבון (Out for Justice) 1992 - מצור ימי ("תחת מצור") (Under Siege) 1994 - על קרקע בוערת (On Deadly Ground) 1995 - תחת מצור 2: הצד האפל (Under Siege 2: Dark Territory) 1996 - החלטה גורלית (Executive Decision) 1996 - מרדף הצללים (The Glimmer Man) 1997 - עיר במצור (Fire Down Below) 1998 - הפטריוט (The Patriot) 2001 - בשם החוק (Exit Wounds) 2001 - אומנות החבלה (Ticker) 2002 - חצי מת (Half Past Dead) 2003 - הזר (The Foreigner) 2003 - ללא גבולות (Out for a Kill) 2003 - שביל הגיהנום (Belly of the Beast) 2004 - לא משאיר סימן (Out of Reach) 2004 - קלמנטיין (Clementine) 2005 - אל תוך השמש העולה (Into the Sun) 2005 - משימה בשטח האויב (Submerged) 2005 - היום אתה מת (Today you Die) 2005 - זריחה שחורה (Black Dawn) 2006 - שכיר חרב למען הצדק (Mercenary for Justice) 2006 - איש הצללים (Shadow Man) 2006 - כוח תקיפה (Attack Force) 2007 - טיסת הזעם (Flight of Fury) 2007 - צדק עירוני (Urban Justice) 2008 - מכת אקדח (Pistol Whipped) 2008 - חדשות מטוגנות (The Onion Movie) 2008 - להרוג בחסות החוק (Kill Switch) 2009 - נגד החשיכה (Against the Dark) 2009 - נחוש להרוג (Driven to Kill) 2009 - השומר (The Keeper) 2009 - סטיבן סיגל: איש החוק (סדרת טלוויזיה, 2009-) (Steven Seagal: Lawman) 2010 - איש מסוכן (A Dangerous Man) 2010 - מצ'טה (Machete) 2010 - כבוד ונקמה (Born the Raise Hell) 2011 - צדק אמיתי (סדרת טלוויזיה, 2011-2012) (True Justice) 2012- משימה קטלנית (Maximum Conviction) 2013- כוח ההוצאה להורג (Force of Execution) 2014- המתנקש 2014- מכה בבטן הרכה 2015- מחילה 2016- צלף 2016- קוד של כבוד 2016- הקשר האסייתי קישורים חיצוניים[%D7%A2%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9B%D7%AA קוד מקור | עריכה] מיזמי קרן ויקימדיה ויקישיתוף תמונות ומדיה בוויקישיתוף: סטיבן סיגל סטיבן סיגל, במסד הנתונים הקולנועיים IMDb (באנגלית) אבנר שביט‏, סטיבן סיגל: הציטוטים הבלתי נשכחים של השחקן לרגל יום הולדתו ה-60, באתר וואלה! NEWS‏, 10 באפריל 2012 קטגוריות: שחקני קולנוע וטלוויזיה אמריקאיםאמני לחימה אמריקאיםצמחונים אמריקאיםצמחוניםבודהיסטיםזוכי פרס פטל הזהבאמני לחימה בקולנוע

Википедия

Сти́вен Фре́дерик Сигал[4] (англ. Steven Frederic Seagal, род. 10 апреля 1952[5][6], Лансинг, штат Мичиган, США) — американский киноактёр, кинопродюсер, сценарист, кинорежиссёр, музыкант (певец, гитарист), шериф[7] и мастер боевых искусств (7-й дан айкидо). Имеет гражданство США, России и Сербии.

https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Сигал,_Стивен