Steven Seagal’s life has been nothing short of eventful. Known for his roles in action films, his journey into show business was a leap of faith that led to great highs and notable lows.
Seagal’s rise to fame saw him in blockbuster films, becoming one of the biggest action stars of his time. Yet, he eventually slipped from the public eye. What happened to him, and where is he now?
Here’s the story of Steven Seagal’s fascinating life!
Steven Seagal’s Early Life
Steven Seagal was born on April 10, 1952, in Lansing, Michigan. His mother, Patricia, was a medical technician, and his father, Samuel, was a high school math teacher.
From a young age, Seagal was drawn to music, especially the blues, which influenced him deeply. “I got my first guitar when I was 12,” he shared. “The blues got into my blood. I started to imitate them and tried to learn from them.”
His interest wasn’t limited to music; martial arts also captivated him. Seagal’s family moved to Fullerton, California, when he was five. He was a frail child with asthma, but his new environment helped him thrive. His mother recalled, “He was a puny kid back then. But he really thrived after the move.”
Seagal’s journey into martial arts began with a fib. He lied about his age to get a job as a dishwasher. The chef, a karate expert, noticed Seagal’s agility and decided to train him.
At 17, Seagal left the US for Japan in 1968 to teach English and immerse himself in martial arts.
Mastering Martial Arts
Seagal dedicated himself to martial arts in Japan, staying for 15 years and earning a reputation as a skilled practitioner. He became the first Westerner to operate a dojo in Japan, mastering various martial arts, including karate, judo, kendo, and aikido.
Seagal explained the grueling training process in Japan to the Los Angeles Times in 1986: “You have to understand that the way to enlightenment is through deprivation. They create an environment where you’re not getting any approval for all the work you’re putting in. You’re not getting any sleep or love or attention, you’re getting your butt kicked and you’re up before anyone fixing meals and cleaning.”
He emphasized the spiritual aspect of martial arts: “The martial arts have to be an endeavor in which you’re trying to develop the physical man and perfect the spiritual self at the same time.”
Returning to the US and Entering Hollywood
In 1984, Seagal returned to the US and opened a dojo with stuntman Craig Dunn. Shocked by the “fast-food approach” to martial arts in the US, he criticized the superficial teaching methods and decided to make a change.
Seagal’s path to Hollywood was unconventional. He worked as a bodyguard for celebrities, including Kelly LeBrock, who would later become his wife. He also protected Hollywood agent Michael Ovitz, a martial arts enthusiast who saw Seagal’s potential as a movie star.
Ovitz arranged a screen test with Warner Bros, where Seagal’s martial arts demonstration left the executives in awe. This led to his first film role in “Above the Law.”
Action Star to Relative Obscurity
Seagal quickly rose to fame, starring in successful films like “Under Siege” (1992) and “Under Siege 2” (1995), which grossed $160 million worldwide. He directed the 1993 film “Deadly Ground,” but it failed commercially.
Despite his prolific output—over 50 productions—Seagal never cemented his place among Hollywood’s elite.
Where Is Steven Seagal Now?
Today, Seagal resides in Russia, having moved there after facing legal issues in the US. The government is attempting to collect $200,000 from him for failing to disclose payments for promoting a digital token. In 2016, Seagal was granted Russian citizenship and later appointed as a special representative for Russian-US humanitarian ties, an unpaid position.
His net worth is estimated at around $16 million, and he remains active on social media, sharing photos that show a significant change in his appearance.
Steven Seagal’s Personal Life
Seagal’s personal life has been as tumultuous as his career. He married aikido master Miyako Fujitani in 1975, with whom he had two children, Kentaro and Ayako. They divorced in 1986. He then had a relationship with Adrienne LaRussa before marrying Kelly LeBrock in 1987, with whom he had three children: Annaliza, Arissa, and Dominic. They divorced in 1996 after Seagal had an affair with nanny Arissa Wolf, resulting in a daughter named Savannah.
Seagal’s relationship with his children has been strained. His eldest son, Kentaro, revealed in an interview that he no longer speaks to his father.
Steven Seagal has had a varied career as a martial artist, actor, and bodyguard. Despite the changes in his life and appearance, he remains the same Steven Seagal who once captivated audiences with his martial arts prowess.
