Steven Seagal is much more than just another action star; he’s also an activist, singer, writer, director, and even a reincarnated Buddhist Lama.

Steven Seagal was born April 10, 1951, in Lansing, Michigan. His father, Stephen, was a high school math teacher, while his mother, Patricia, was an emergency room technician. After moving to California, Seagal began studying martial arts at age seven, specifically aikido. Graduating from Buena Park High School, one of his first jobs was at Burger King. He attended college and shortly after moved in with girlfriend Miyako Fujitani. They later married, but rumors abound that the marriage was merely an attempt by Seagal to avoid the draft. 

After numerous moves back and forth between the U.S. and Japan, Seagal finally settled in the States and pursued his film career. His first big break came in 1988 with the action-packed martial arts film Above the Law. He co-starred with Pam Grier and Sharon Stone.

He followed up this film with more of the same, including Hard to Kill in 1990, Marked for Death in 1990, and Out for Justice with Gina Gershon, William Forsythe, and Jerry Orbach. By the early 90s, Seagal was solidified in the moviegoers’ minds as a formidable action hero. 

But his major success came in 1992. He delighted fans by releasing Under Siege, co-starring

Tommy Lee Jones and Gary Busey. By the end of its worldwide run, the film had grossed $156.4 million.

In an attempt to repeat this blockbuster success, Seagal directed and starred in On Deadly Ground. Despite a strong co-star in Michael Caine, the film was generally considered a failure. 

Still attempting to regain his former popularity, Seagal released a slew of films including Under Siege 2: Dark Territory and The Glimmer man. He even took a small role in the Kurt Russell, Halle Berry, John Leguizamo, and Oliver Platt film, Executive Decision.

Despite several years of floundering films and poor box office numbers, Seagal found success once again with the 2001 film Exit Wounds. Notable costars included rapper turned actor DMX, Eva Mendes, Isaiah Washington, and Tom Arnold. Since 2003, his subsequent films have been released in straight-to-video format. 

Seagal is deeply involved in many aspects of the films he makes, including producing, writing, and directing. He is also a musician, and his music can be heard in such films as Fire Down Below and Ticker.

His debut album featured many other established recording artists, including Tony Rebel and Stevie Wonder. His second album with the band Thunderbox was released in 2006, for which he toured the U.S. and Europe.  

Seagal has been married three times. His first marriage was to Miyako Fujitani from 1975 to 1986 with two children. His second marriage was to Adrienne La Russa in 1984, but it was quickly annulled. And his last marriage was to Kelly LeBrock from 1987 to 1996. They had three children together, but eventually divorced citing irreconcilable differences. By virtue of Seagal’s Buddhist beliefs, he was also briefly the guardian of Yabshi Pan Rinzinwangmo, the only child of the tenth Panchen Lama.

Seagal is widely noted for his outspoken views on spirituality, environmentalism, and animal cruelty. He was even awarded the PETA Humanitarian Award in 1999. 

While some harshly criticize his acting, he does seem to have powerful fans. Swedish king, Carl Gustaf XVI, is a personal friend and cites Seagal as his favorite actor.

YUDDY