Seagal’s bond with Putin impacts his legacy in “On Deadly Ground.”

Steven Seagal: From Action Star to Putin’s Pal

Steven Seagal’s rise to fame in the ’80s alongside Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger was just the beginning of a bizarre and controversial career. From serving with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana to cozying up to dictators, Seagal’s off-screen choices have often overshadowed his on-screen success.

Early Days

Seagal’s early life was marked by his study of martial arts, including aikido, and his relocation to Japan at 17. He caught Hollywood’s attention as a fight choreographer for stars like Sean Connery before snagging his first starring role.

Rise to Fame

Seagal’s big break came when Creative Artists Agency head Michael Ovitz connected him to Warner Bros. representatives for an aikido demonstration that catapulted him to stardom. He worked on both hits and misses in the ’90s, but his off-screen choices proved more dubious.

Controversial Ties

Seagal’s chummy embrace of Russian strongman Vladimir Putin is perhaps the biggest head-scratcher of the star’s 71 years on planet Earth. He now describes himself as “1 million percent Russian” and became Russia’s special envoy to the U.S. in 2018. He has both Russian and Serbian citizenship and teaches martial arts to Russian Military Recruits via a newly opened center.

Professional Enemies

Seagal has made some professional enemies over the years, including John Leguizamo, who claims Seagal physically attacked him on their first day on set. Several women have also accused Seagal of inappropriate behavior, including Jenny McCarthy and Blair Robinson, Ray Charles’ granddaughter.

Seagal’s recent, disquieting ties belie his early days and embrace of Eastern philosophies. The actor’s bizarre and controversial career has left many wondering what the future holds for the once-promising action star.