Steven F. Seagal
(; born April 10, 1952)
Seagal is also a recording artist and guitarist and the founder of Steven Seagal Enterprises. In addition to his professional achievements, he is also known as an environmentalist, an animal rights activist and a supporter of Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, and the cause of Tibetan independence. Spiritualism and Buddhism play an important role in Seagal's life and he has been recognized by Tibetan lama Penor Rinpoche as a reincarnated Tulku. According to Seagal in a November 2006 interview: "I was born very different, clairvoyant and a healer". [3]
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STEVEN SEAGAL TICKETS
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Early years
Youth
Seagal was born in
Lansing,
Michigan, where he lived until he was five years old. His mother, Patricia, was a medical technician, and his father a
high school math teacher.
[4] His mother was Irish and his father Jewish.
[5] The family relocated to
Fullerton,
California, where Seagal attended the Buena Park High School in
Buena Park,
California.
Return to the U.S.
Seagal initially returned to
Taos,
New Mexico, with his student—and later a film stuntman—Craig Dunn. There, they opened a dojo, but Seagal spent much of his time pursuing a film career and other ventures. Dunn stayed in
New Mexico and continued to run the dojo. 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
Burbank,
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. It was during that period that Seagal first found himself in contact with Hollywood. Initially, he worked as the martial arts co-ordinator for the films
The Challenge
(1982) starring
Scott Glenn and
Toshirô Mifune, and
Never Say Never Again
(1983) starring
Sean Connery.
Hollywood career
The 1990s: the action hero years
In 1988, 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, who believed he could make anyone a star.
[6] Following its success, Seagal made three more movies –
Hard to Kill
,
Marked for Death
, and
Out for Justice
– that were 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.
[7]
Seagal then 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 and a small role by Billy Bob Thornton. This movie was an important turning point in Seagal's career, from up-and-coming action star to unusual and esoteric figure.
Following the general critical and financial disappointment of
On Deadly Ground
, Seagal filmed a sequel to one of his most successful films
Under Siege
titled
Under Siege 2: Dark Territory
(1995) and the cop drama
The Glimmer Man
(1996). In 1996, he had his first supporting role, in the
Kurt Russell film
Executive Decision
(1996), which featured him in a starring role, but kept secret his character's fate (though he appeared to fall out of the plane without a parachute.) Then, he again made an 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., and because of its disaster, his contract was not renewed.
Direct-to-video years
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 taking a couple years to produce
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.
Ticker
co-starring
Tom Sizemore and
Dennis Hopper, and filmed in
San Francisco before
Exit Wounds, went straight to DVD while
Half Past Dead
, starring
rap star
Ja Rule, made less than $20 million worldwide.
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[], all of the films Seagal has made since the second half of 2001 have been released direct-to-video (DTV) in North America, with only limited theatrical releases in the rest of the world. Though Seagal is credited as a producer (and sometimes a writer) on many of these DTV movies, it is unclear how deeply involved he was in their production - his voice is often dubbed in by another actor as seen in the film
Attack Force
and a double is used in almost any scene where his face is not shown clearly. The most notable stunt doubles are in his films
Black Dawn
,
Belly of the Beast
,
Out of Reach
and
Submerged
. One of his most recent films,
Kill Switch
(2008), also featured extensive fight-double footage added in post-production.
His other recent direct-to-video films include
Urban Justice
,
Pistol Whipped
,
Against The Dark
and
Driven to Kill
. He has finished filming
The Keeper
for a projected 2009 release.
Work as filmmaker
Seagal intends to have his films remembered; "I am hoping that I can be known as a great writer and actor some day, rather than a sex symbol."
[8] Seagal has clarified the purpose of his films: "
Above the Law
was a politically conscientious movie.
On Deadly Ground
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."
[9]
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.
Seagal has produced many of the movies that he stars in, and has also participated in writing and directing. Seagal's roles do not fit the standard action hero archetype; instead, Seagal's characters are usually "born perfect", displaying no limitations,
character flaws, or
character development (as is typically included in the story arc for most action heroes). His characters are often associated with attributes given to action movie antagonists or villains, such as clandestine government associations (
Under Siege
), great wealth and high-level corporate ties (
On Deadly Ground
), high-level biochemical research skill (
The Patriot
). Seagal's characters are normally nigh-on invincible and are unable to be beaten or even slowed down.
While his acting performance in
Above The Law
gained praise from
Roger Ebert,
[10] Seagal has repeatedly faced criticism from both actors and fans who accuse him of playing the same character in many of his movies (see
typecasting), as well as displaying a lack of emotional range.
Others have surmised that Seagal's unorthodox approach to film is actually an elaborate joke.
[11] This is supported by Seagal's statement regarding humor: "I’m a very funny guy, if you’ll forgive me for saying so. When I did
The Glimmer Man
with
Keenan Ivory Wayans, he and I were talking about who was funniest, and...I kicked his ass every day."
[12] In addition, some of Seagal's own self-parody supports this view. In at least one commercial for
Orange SA,
[13] Seagal pokes fun at his action star archetype.
Other career areas
Music
In addition to acting and aikido, Seagal also plays the guitar, and his songs have been featured in several of his movies (such as
Fire Down Below
and
Ticker
). In 2005, he released his first album,
Songs from the Crystal Cave
, which has a mix of
pop,
world, 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. Having received good support from UK audiences, the tour continues through early 2007.
Seagal uses a blend of
Blues,
Country,
World Music and
Euro techno in his unique compositions, reflecting the eclectic mosaic style of his martial arts and film work, both of which combine different styles (
aikido/
gunfire and
action/
lecture are respective examples). Seagal is also known for his live cover versions including seminal works like
Don Macleans' '
American Pie' and
Hot Gossips' 'I Fell In Love With a Starship Trooper'.
Work as a deputy sheriff
Seagal is currently a
deputy sheriff of his home community of
Jefferson Parish,
Louisiana. In November 2008,
A&E announced that they have begun filming
Steven Seagal: Lawman
, a
reality show that follows his on- and off-duty work in the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. 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."
[14]
Business ventures
Seagal Enterprises markets an
energy drink known as
Steven Seagal's Lightning Bolt, as well as an
herbal oil product line.
[15] Seagal personally endorses this drink, "I have traveled the world creating this drink; there is none better that I know."
He also has his own aftershave called Scent of Action. Seagal has his own imprint of Kershaw Knives. The "Steven Seagal Edition" knives feature 4" blades with his signature etched in, and no auto-assisted opening mechanism.
Personal life
An only son, he has three sisters, one older and two younger. He now keeps a dude ranch in
Colorado and a home in the
Mandeville Canyon section of
Brentwood, a wealthy suburb of Los Angeles. He has adopted many animals from shelters, including the cats Sylvester and Gap, and the dogs Gruff, Cole, Tyson, Hamlet, and Chaos.
[16] Steven travels back and forth to a home in Eads, Tennessee, a rural unincorporated area located just east of
Memphis, Tennessee.
Marriages
#Miyako Fujitani (1975–1986) (divorced) 2 children
#
Adrienne La Russa (1984-1987) (annulled)
#
Kelly LeBrock (1987–1996) (divorced) 3 children
When he left his first wife Miyako Fujitani to go back to America (reportedly, Steven's last words to her were, "You're crazy; I want a divorce"),
[17] [18] he married former
Days of our Lives
actress Adrienne La Russa, despite his divorce to Fujitani not yet being finalized. During his marriage to La Russa he met actress/model Kelly LeBrock, with whom he began a relationship and who eventually became pregnant with his child. When news of this emerged, Seagal's marriage to La Russa was annulled and he then married LeBrock on September 5, 1987. In 1994, LeBrock filed divorce papers citing "irreconcilable differences". During this time it emerged that Seagal was having an affair with Arissa Wolf, who was hired to be a nanny to Seagal and Lebrock's children.
[19]
Children
Seagal has six children from three relationships in which he has been involved. With Fujitani, he had a son, model and actor
Kentaro Seagal (b. October 3, 1975), and a daughter, writer and actress,
Ayako Fujitani (b. December 5, 1979). His three children with LeBrock are daughters Annaliza (b. 1987) and Arissa (b. 1993), and son Dominic (b. 1990). Seagal and Arissa Wolf have one daughter, Savannah (b. 1996).
In addition to his biological children, Seagal's
Tibetan Buddhist beliefs have also placed him in the role of
guardian to a Tibetan child,
Yabshi Pan Rinzinwangmo. Rinzinwangmo, or "Renji", is the only child of the
10th Panchen Lama of
Tibet. Renji studied in the United States at American University, and Seagal was her guardian and bodyguard.
[20]
Animal rights work
Seagal has been an outspoken opponent of
animal cruelty which can be seen in a scene in the movie
Out for Justice
. This is consistent with his views on
spirituality, as well as his environmentalist views (as showcased in
On Deadly Ground
). Seagal believes in
reincarnation: "When I walk into a room some people see a dog, some people see a cow. I am all of what they see. It is their perception."
[21]
Steven has described his activism method as "shaming companies into changing," a theme that is visible in such films as
On Deadly Ground
and
Fire Down Below
. He has worked with
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to discourage the
fur trade, and has written to the
Prime Minister of
India to seek increased legal protection for
cows. Seagal worked effectively towards saving dogs destined to drown in
Taiwan.
This
activism has not diminished in recent years. For these and other efforts, Seagal was awarded a PETA Humanitarian Award in 1999.
[22] In 2003, Seagal wrote an
open letter to the leadership of
Thailand, urging them to enact law to prevent the
torture of baby elephants.
[23]
Native American issues
Seagal is a concerned advocate for the rights and interests of
Native Americans. In his film
On Deadly Ground
, Seagal depicted himself as
The Chosen One, sent to save the Inuit people from the evils of "
Big Oil".
Outside of his film work, Seagal has volunteered, lending his voice as a narrator for an activist film project,
Medicine Lake Video,
which seeks to protect sacred tribal ground near his ranch in Siskiyou County.
[24]
Filmography
- Above the Law
(1988)
- Hard to Kill
(1989)
- Marked for Death
(1990)
- Out for Justice
(1991)
- Under Siege
(1992)
- On Deadly Ground
(1994)
- Under Siege 2: Dark Territory
(1995)
- Executive Decision
(1996)
- The Glimmer Man
(1996)
- Fire Down Below
(1997)
- The Patriot
(1998)
- Get Bruce
(1999)
- Prince of Central Park
(2000)
- Exit Wounds
(2001)
- Ticker
(2001)
- Half Past Dead
(2002)
- The Foreigner
(2003)
- Out for a Kill
(2003)
- Belly of the Beast
(2003)
- Out of Reach
(2004)
- Clementine
(2004)
- Into the Sun
(2005)
- Submerged
(2005)
- Today You Die
(2005)
- Black Dawn
(2005)
- Mercenary for Justice
(2006)
- Shadow Man
(2006)
- Attack Force
(2006)
- Flight of Fury
(2007)
- Urban Justice
(2007)
- Pistol Whipped
(2008)
- The Onion Movie
(2008)
- Kill Switch
(2008)
- Against The Dark
(2009)
- Driven To Kill
(2009)
- The Keeper
(2009)
- On the Run
(2010)
- Machete
(2010)
Discography
- 2005: Songs from the Crystal Cave
- 2006: Mojo Priest
References
- Britishaikido.com, Retrieved on January 27, 2008
- The Numbers - People: Steven Seagal
- WEWS Cleveland, "Steven Seagal Says He's A God", Video interview and transcript by Ted Henry, 17 November 2006
- Steven Seagal Biography (1952?-)
- STEVEN SEAGAL AND THE MOB
- Perfect People biography
- "Under Siege" "IMDb'' Business Data for Under Siege (1992).
- Steven Seagal quotes
- Steven Seagal IMDB biography
- Rogerebert.com Reviews- Above the Law
- Steven Seagal: Under Closer Scrutiny by Tom Dooley
- The Steven Seagal interview
- Steven Seagal cellphone advertisement
- Steven Seagal: Lawman coming to A&E
- Steven Seagal's Next Target? The Nap - Action star creates energy drink called Lightning Bolt
- Getting tough with Steven Seagal
- E! TV- "E! True Hollywood Story" - Steven Seagal
- Mini Facts
- Spiritually Retreat With Steven Seagal
- Buddha's daughter: A young Tibetan-Chinese woman
- Steven Seagal Comes Out of the Buddhist Closet
- Paul McCartney's World Exclusive Performance at PETA's Party Of The Century and Humanitarian Awards
- Letter to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand by Steven Seagal
- Medicine Lake Video