Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Steven Seagal
Discover the career path of Steven Seagal, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Steven Seagal is an American actor, producer, screenwriter, martial artist, and musician. Holding a 7th-dan black belt in aikido, he started his career teaching martial arts in Japan, becoming the first American to teach in an aikido dojo. Later, he moved to Los Angeles and continued teaching. Seagal debuted as an actor in 1988 with Above the Law, notable for being the first American film to showcase aikido in fight scenes. He has starred in over 50 films.
1978: Earning Aikido Black Belt
In 1978, Steven Seagal earned his aikido black belt while teaching at the school owned by Miyako's family.
1982: Fight Coordinator
In 1982, Steven Seagal had his first experiences in the film industry by working as a fight coordinator on "The Challenge".
1983: Return to the United States and Dojo Opening
In 1983, Steven Seagal returned to the United States with Haruo Matsuoka and opened an aikido dojo, initially in North Hollywood.
1987: Beginning Work on Above the Law
In 1987, Steven Seagal began working on his first film as an actor, "Above the Law", marking the start of his acting career.
1988: Acting Debut in Above the Law
In 1988, Steven Seagal made his acting debut in "Above the Law", considered the first American film to feature aikido in fight sequences, marking a career milestone.
1988: "Golden Era" Start
In 1988, Steven Seagal's 'Golden Era' began, marking the period of his initial successes.
1990: Nasso produces seven of Seagal's films starting with Marked for Death
In 1990, Julius R. Nasso produced seven of Steven Seagal's films starting with Marked for Death.
1991: Commercial Success
By 1991, Steven Seagal had starred in three commercially successful films, establishing his presence in the film industry.
1991: "Golden Era" End
In 1991, Steven Seagal's 'Golden Era' ended, concluding the period of his initial successes.
1992: Starring in Under Siege
In 1992, Seagal starred in "Under Siege", playing Casey Ryback, a Navy SEALs counter-terrorist expert, further solidifying his action star status.
1992: "Silver Era" Start
In 1992, Steven Seagal's 'Silver Era' began, marking the peak of his fame and high-profile blockbusters.
1994: Directorial Debut with On Deadly Ground
In 1994, Seagal made his directorial debut with the film "On Deadly Ground", showcasing his expanded role in filmmaking.
1994: Release of On Deadly Ground
In 1994, Steven Seagal directed and starred in "On Deadly Ground", emphasizing environmental themes, though it was poorly received by critics.
1995: Release of Under Siege 2: Dark Territory
In 1995, Steven Seagal released "Under Siege 2: Dark Territory", a sequel to one of his most successful films.
1996: Role in Executive Decision and Filming The Glimmer Man
In 1996, Steven Seagal appeared in "Executive Decision" and filmed "The Glimmer Man", expanding his acting roles.
1996: Executive Decision Role
In 1996, Steven Seagal played a character in 'Executive Decision' who is introduced as a false protagonist, only to be killed halfway through the movie, which is a departure from his typical roles.
1997: Cancellation of Deadly Honor
In 1997, 'Deadly Honor', an action video game featuring Steven Seagal for Nintendo 64 and PlayStation, was cancelled in its beta phase for undisclosed reasons.
1997: Release of Fire Down Below
In 1997, Steven Seagal released "Fire Down Below", an environmentally conscious film where he played an EPA agent, though it was commercially unsuccessful.
1997: "Silver Era" End
In 1997, Steven Seagal's 'Silver Era' ended, concluding a period when he reached the peak of his fame and made high-profile blockbusters.
1998: Release of The Patriot
In 1998, Steven Seagal made "The Patriot", another environmental thriller and his first direct-to-video release in the United States.
1998: "Transitional Period" Start
In 1998, Steven Seagal's 'Transitional Period' began, during which he made lower-profile or ensemble films.
1999: PETA Humanitarian Award
In 1999, Steven Seagal was awarded a PETA Humanitarian Award for his activism.
2000: Seagal/Nasso Productions Partnership Ends
In 2000, the partnership between Steven Seagal and Julius Nasso, Seagal/Nasso Productions, ended after a strained relationship.
March 2001: Release of Exit Wounds
In March 2001, Steven Seagal returned to cinema screens with the release of "Exit Wounds", considered a commercial success and a "comeback" for Seagal.
2001: Shift to Direct-to-Video Releases
Beginning in 2001, almost all of Steven Seagal's films were released direct-to-video in North America, marking a shift in his career focus.
2002: "Transitional Period" End
In 2002, Steven Seagal's 'Transitional Period' ended, concluding a period during which he made lower-profile or ensemble films.
2003: Open Letter to Thailand
In 2003, Steven Seagal wrote an open letter to the leadership of Thailand, urging them to enact a law to prevent the torture of baby elephants.
2003: Direct-to-Video Period Start
In 2003, Steven Seagal's lengthy 'direct-to-video' period began, becoming his most prolific phase to date.
2004: Release of Songs from the Crystal Cave
In 2004, Steven Seagal released his first album, 'Songs from the Crystal Cave,' featuring a mix of genres and duets with various artists.
2004: Induction into Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame
In 2004, Steven Seagal was inducted into the Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to the martial arts.
2005: Marketing Steven Seagal's Lightning Bolt
In 2005, Seagal Enterprises began marketing an energy drink known as 'Steven Seagal's Lightning Bolt', but it has since been discontinued.
2005: Soundtrack and Single Release
In 2005, Steven Seagal's film 'Into the Sun' featured songs from his album, and the track 'Girl It's Alright' was released as a single with a music video.
April 2006: Release of Mojo Priest
In April 2006, Steven Seagal's second album, 'Mojo Priest,' was released, leading to a concert tour. The album was critically panned.
2008: Direct-to-Video Period End
In 2008, Steven Seagal's lengthy 'direct-to-video' period ended, concluding his most prolific phase to date.
2008: Publication of "Seagalogy"
In 2008, Vern published 'Seagalogy,' a work examining Steven Seagal's filmography using auteur theory, noting recurring themes like government corruption and environmentalism.
December 2, 2009: Steven Seagal: Lawman Premieres
On December 2, 2009, 'Steven Seagal: Lawman,' a series following his work in the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, premiered on A&E, drawing a record number of viewers for an A&E original series opener.
2009: Premiere of Steven Seagal: Lawman
In 2009, A&E Network premiered the reality television series "Steven Seagal: Lawman", focusing on Seagal as a deputy in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.
2009: "Chief Seagal" Period Start
In 2009, Steven Seagal's 'Chief Seagal' period began, during which he moved into television and reflected elements of his 'Steven Seagal: Lawman' persona in his films.
April 14, 2010: Suspension of Steven Seagal: Lawman
On April 14, 2010, 'Steven Seagal: Lawman' was suspended by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff due to a sexual trafficking lawsuit filed against Seagal.
October 6, 2010: Steven Seagal: Lawman Resumes
On October 6, 2010, A&E resumed 'Steven Seagal: Lawman' for its second season after a suspension due to a lawsuit.
2010: Role in Machete
In 2010, Steven Seagal appeared as a villain in Robert Rodriguez's "Machete", a film that received theatrical release.
February 2011: Production of Season 3
In February 2011, production began on Season 3 of 'Steven Seagal: Lawman', relocating from Louisiana to Maricopa County, Arizona.
May 2011: Lyoto Machida's UFC Victory
In May 2011, Brazilian mixed martial artist Lyoto Machida credited Steven Seagal for helping him perfect the front kick used to knock out Randy Couture at UFC 129.
July 20, 2011: True Justice Series UK Premiere
On July 20, 2011, "True Justice" premiered in the UK on 5 USA.
January 4, 2012: Season 3 Suspension
Shortly before two episodes were to be aired, Season 3 of Steven Seagal: Lawman was suspended on January 4, 2012, with no explanation given.
2012: Updated Edition of "Seagalogy"
In 2012, an updated edition of Vern's 'Seagalogy' was released, adding a fifth era to the analysis of Steven Seagal's career.
2012: "Chief Seagal" Period Mention
In 2012, the 'Chief Seagal' period (2009-present) of Steven Seagal's career was added to an updated edition of "Seagalogy."
2013: Joins ORSIS
In 2013, Steven Seagal joined newly formed Russian firearms manufacturer ORSIS, representing the company and lobbying for the easement of US import restrictions.
January 2, 2014: Season 3 Premieres
Season 3 of Steven Seagal: Lawman premiered on January 2, 2014, after being suspended, but the show was not renewed for a fourth season.
2017: Co-Authors Conspiracy Thriller
In 2017, Steven Seagal co-authored a self-published conspiracy thriller novel, 'The Way of the Shadow Wolves', with Tom Morrissey.
2019: Theatrical Release of Beyond the Law
In 2019, "Beyond the Law" was released theatrically in North America, making it one of Steven Seagal's few movies to have a theatrical release since Machete.
