Share

Steven Seagal biography

1 photo

Quick Facts

Best Known For

Actor Steven Seagal makes popular action movies such as the 1998 hit Under Siege. He studied martial arts in Asia and opened an academy in the U.S.


Quiz

Think you know about Biography?

Answer questions and see how you rank against other players.

Play Now

Synopsis

Born April 10, 1951 in Lansing, Michigan, actor and martial artist Steven Seagal traveled to Japan at age 17 to teach English. He earned several black belts in martial arts and choreographed movie fight scenes. When he moved back to the U.S., he worked as

Contents

Profile

Actor, writer, musician, producer, martial artist. Born April 10, 1951 in Lansing, Michigan. The son of a nurse and a teacher, Seagal attended Orange Coast College and Fullerton College in California. He traveled to Japan at the age of 17 where he taught English, studied Zen and perfected his martial arts, eventually earning black belts in aikido, karate, judo, and kendo.

Seagal spent 15 years in Asia, studying Eastern philosophy and occasionally choreographing martial arts fight scenes in movies. When he returned to the U.S., he opened a martial arts academy and became a bodyguard for such celebrities as Kelly LeBrock and Hollywood agent Michael Ovitz. The former eventually became Seagal's wife and the latter helped him make films for Warner Bros.

His first film, 1988's Above the Law was well received among action buffs, leading to 1989's Hard to Kill and 1992's Under Siege, his most popular film to date. In 1994, his directorial debut, On Deadly Ground, had disappointing results. He followed with two more action vehicles, 1996's Executive Decision and 1998's The Patriot.

In 2009, Seagal became the star of series on A&E Networks, Steven Seagal: Lawman . The show shadows Seagal as he protects the community of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana as Reserve Deputy Chief. The show is scheduled for a third season.

Seagal's mysterious past has recently come under media scrutiny. Though he remains guarded, he has occasionally hinted about involvement with the CIA. Further speculation has surrounded the work he did on behalf of Tibetan freedom fighters, and it was not until 1997 that he mentioned the large amounts of money he claimed to have donated to various religious organizations. Seagal has presented himself as a serious student of Buddhism who spends many hours meditating, studying, and practicing to become a healer.

Seagal was married Miyako Fujitani from 1975 to 1987. They have two children, actor/model Kentaro (Justice) and Ayako. He and Dior model Kelly LeBrock have two daughters, Annaliza and Arissa, and a son, Dominic. They divorced in 1995. He also has a daughter, Savannah, by Arissa Wolf, his children's former nanny. Seagal is currently married to Erdenetuya, a professional Mangolian dancer.

 

© 2013 A+E Networks. All rights reserved.

ADVERTISEMENT
9542595 9542595
profile id: 9542595
profile name: Steven Seagal
profile occupation:
related profile id: 9542595
related profile name: Steven Seagal
related profile occupation:
related profile img: /imported/images/Biography/Images/Profiles/S/Steven-Seagal-9542595-1-402.jpg
related profile URL: /people/steven-seagal-9542595
profile
pop
Your Connections

Sign in with Facebook to see how you and your friends are connected to famous icons.

specific profile connection
Your Friends' Connections
specific friend connection
Profile Connections
    Show More Connections
    Included In These Groups

    See all related groups


    ADVERTISEMENT

    Celebrity Connections

    Show More Connections
    Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!