Challenges Faced by Steven Seagal: Obstacles and Turning Points

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Steven Seagal. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

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.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

April 20, 1991: Hosting Saturday Night Live

On April 20, 1991, Steven Seagal hosted Saturday Night Live, an experience later regarded negatively by cast and crew due to his humorlessness and treatment of others.

May 1991: Sexual harassment allegations surface against Seagal

In May 1991, during the filming of "Out for Justice", Warner Brothers employees Raenne Malone, Nicole Selinger, and Christine Keeve accused Steven Seagal of sexual harassment. Malone and another woman received approximately $50,000 each in an out-of-court settlement in exchange for remaining silent.

1991: Sexual Harassment Accusations

Starting in 1991, Steven Seagal faced accusations of sexual harassment or assault from multiple women, marking the beginning of controversies in his career.

September 26, 1992: Nicolas Cage's Monologue on SNL

On September 26, 1992, during Nicolas Cage's monologue on Saturday Night Live, Lorne Michaels referenced Steven Seagal as the "biggest jerk" to have been on the show, highlighting the negative experiences with Seagal's hosting.

August 1995: Sexual Harassment case against Seagal dismissed

In August 1995, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Hiroshi Fujisaki dismissed the employment discrimination, sexual harassment, and breach of contract case filed by Cheryl Shuman against Steven Seagal, deeming the claims "repetitive and unintelligible".

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.

January 2001: Seagal meets with Anthony Ciccone in Brooklyn

In January 2001, Primo Cassarino and other gangsters brought Steven Seagal to a meeting with Anthony Ciccone at a Brooklyn restaurant, where Ciccone threatened Seagal to either make four movies with Nasso or pay a penalty.

2002: Nomination for Worst Actor

In 2002, Steven Seagal was nominated for Worst Actor at the Stinkers Bad Movie Awards and the Golden Raspberry Awards, due to his performance in "Half Past Dead".

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.

April 12, 2010: Kayden Nguyen files lawsuit against Seagal

On April 12, 2010, Kayden Nguyen filed a lawsuit against Steven Seagal alleging sexual harassment, illegal trafficking of females for sex, failure to prevent sexual harassment, and wrongful termination. She requested over one million dollars in damages.

August 30, 2011: Jesus Sanchez Llovera files lawsuit against Seagal

On August 30, 2011, Jesus Sanchez Llovera filed a lawsuit against Steven Seagal. The lawsuit was related to Seagal's involvement in a Maricopa County police raid, seeking $100,000 for damages and an apology for the death of Llovera's puppy during the raid.

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.

November 9, 2017: Faviola Dadis accuses Seagal of sexual assault

On November 9, 2017, Dutch model Faviola Dadis posted a statement on her Instagram account, alleging that she had been sexually assaulted by Steven Seagal years earlier.

January 15, 2018: Rachel Grant accuses Seagal of sexual assault

On January 15, 2018, actress Rachel Grant publicly accused Steven Seagal of sexually assaulting her in 2002, during pre-production of his film, Out for a Kill (2003). Grant stated she lost her job on the film after the incident.

February 2018: Los Angeles County District Attorney reviews potential sex-abuse case involving Seagal

In February 2018, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office acknowledged that it was reviewing a potential sex-abuse case involving Steven Seagal.

March 2018: Regina Simons accuses Seagal of rape

In March 2018, Regina Simons publicly claimed that in 1993, when she was 18, Steven Seagal raped her at his home after she arrived for what she thought was a wrap party for the movie On Deadly Ground.