Full History Of Steven Seagal In Timeline From 1952

April 10, 1952: Steven Seagal's Birth

Steven Seagal was born on April 10, 1952.

1969: Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Aikido, Passes Away

Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, passed away in 1969.

1970: Attends Fullerton College

Between 1970 and 1971, Seagal attended Fullerton College.

1971: Attends Fullerton College

Between 1970 and 1971, Seagal attended Fullerton College.

December 1974: Marriage to Miyako Fujitani

Steven Seagal married Miyako Fujitani in December 1974.

1978: Earns Aikido Black Belt

Seagal received his aikido black belt in 1978.

1983: Returns to the US and Opens Dojo

Seagal returned to the United States in 1983 and opened an aikido dojo with his student Haruo Matsuoka.

1984: Brief Marriage to Adrienne La Russa

Seagal's marriage to Adrienne La Russa in 1984 was annulled the same year.

September 1987: Marriage to Kelly LeBrock

Steven Seagal and Kelly LeBrock married in September 1987.

1987: Begins Work on "Above the Law"

In 1987, Seagal started working on his debut film, "Above the Law."

1988: Golden Era Begins

1988 marked the start of Seagal's "Golden Era," a period of initial success in his film career.

1988: Acting Debut and Aikido in Film

In 1988, Steven Seagal made his acting debut in the film "Above the Law," which was notable for being the first American film to prominently feature aikido in its fight sequences.

June 1990: Birth of Dominic Seagal

Seagal's son, Dominic, was born in June 1990.

1990: Start of Collaboration with Julius R. Nasso

In 1990, Steven Seagal and Julius R. Nasso began their film production partnership, creating Seagal/Nasso Productions. They became close friends during this time.

April 20, 1991: Hosts "Saturday Night Live"

On April 20, 1991, Steven Seagal hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live, an experience later described by the show's producers and cast members as problematic.

May 1991: Sexual Harassment Accusations

In May 1991, during the filming of "Out for Justice", several women accused Seagal of sexual harassment. Some received settlements to remain silent, while others alleged he made sexual advances during casting sessions. Jenny McCarthy claimed he asked her to undress during an audition.

1991: Golden Era Ends

1991 marked the end of Seagal's "Golden Era" and the beginning of his "Silver Era".

1991: Early Career Success

By 1991, Seagal had starred in three commercially successful films.

1991: Allegations of Sexual Harassment and Assault Begin

Starting in 1991, multiple women accused Seagal of sexual harassment and assault.

September 26, 1992: Nicolas Cage's "SNL" Monologue References Seagal

On September 26, 1992, during his monologue on Saturday Night Live, host Nicolas Cage indirectly referred to Steven Seagal as the "biggest jerk who's ever been on the show."

1992: Release and Critical Acclaim for "Under Siege"

"Under Siege" was released in 1992 and received mostly positive reviews, becoming a high point in Seagal's early career.

1992: Silver Era Begins

1992 marked the start of Seagal's "Silver Era," his peak period of fame with high-profile blockbuster films.

1992: LeBell Declines Challenge, Criticizes Seagal

In 1992, following reports of an incident with Seagal, Gene LeBell declined to participate in a public challenge against Seagal, stating that the feud was affecting his career. However, he criticized Seagal's treatment of stuntmen.

1992: "Under Siege" and Rise to Fame

Steven Seagal's fame increased considerably with the release of "Under Siege" in 1992 where he played a Navy SEALs counter-terrorist expert.

1993: Birth of Arissa Seagal and Divorce Filing

Seagal's daughter, Arissa, was born in 1993. Later that year, LeBrock filed for divorce from Seagal.

1993: Alleged Rape of Regina Simons

Regina Simons alleged that Seagal raped her at his home in 1993.

1993: Fujitani's Interview

In 1993, Miyako Fujitani gave an interview where she questioned the legitimacy of Seagal's aikido black belt.

1994: On Deadly Ground

In 1994, Steven Seagal directed and starred in "On Deadly Ground," a film marking a departure from his previous action roles by focusing on environmental and spiritual themes. The film, also featuring Michael Caine, R. Lee Ermey, and Billy Bob Thornton, was met with negative reviews, particularly criticizing Seagal's environmental speech. Despite this, Seagal considers it a significant work.

1994: Directorial Debut

Seagal made his directorial debut with the film "On Deadly Ground" in 1994.

August 1995: Dismissal of Lawsuit

In August 1995, a lawsuit filed by Cheryl Shuman against Seagal for employment discrimination, sexual harassment, and breach of contract, related to the filming of "On Deadly Ground", was dismissed by a judge.

1995: "Under Siege 2: Dark Territory" Released

In 1995, Seagal reprised his role as Casey Ryback in the sequel, "Under Siege 2: Dark Territory."

1995: Under Siege 2: Dark Territory

In 1995, Steven Seagal starred in "Under Siege 2: Dark Territory," a sequel to one of his successful films. According to co-star Morris Chestnut, Seagal rewrote many of his scenes and frequently improvised on set.

1996: Executive Decision and The Glimmer Man

1996 marked Seagal's appearance in "Executive Decision," playing a special ops soldier, a role reportedly taken due to a prior film's over-budget issues. He also filmed "The Glimmer Man" the same year.

1996: Executive Decision: A departure from typical roles

In 1996, Seagal played a character who dies halfway through "Executive Decision," which is atypical for his usually invulnerable roles.

February 1997: Declared a Tulku

In February 1997, Seagal was declared a tulku, the reincarnation of a 17th-century Buddhist figure.

1997: Silver Era Ends

1997 marked the end of Seagal's "Silver Era" and the start of his "Transitional Period".

1997: Fire Down Below

In 1997, Seagal starred in "Fire Down Below," another environmentally themed film where he played an EPA agent. This film was not a commercial success.

1997: Deadly Honor Cancellation

In 1997, a video game starring Seagal, "Deadly Honor," was cancelled during development.

1997: Parts Ways with Matsuoka

Seagal and Matsuoka ended their professional relationship in 1997.

1998: The Patriot

In 1998, Seagal released "The Patriot," an environmental thriller, marking his first direct-to-video release in the US. He self-funded and filmed it on his Montana farm.

1998: Transitional Period Begins

1998 marked the start of Seagal's "Transitional Period," where he took on lower-profile and ensemble film roles.

1999: PETA Humanitarian Award

Seagal received a PETA Humanitarian Award in 1999.

October 2000: Initial Threat from Gambino Family

In October 2000, during the filming of "Exit Wounds" in Toronto, Seagal was first approached by Anthony Ciccone, a captain in the Gambino crime family, regarding the dispute with Nasso.

2000: End of Seagal/Nasso Productions and Legal Dispute

In 2000, Seagal and Nasso ended their partnership, leading to a legal battle. Nasso claimed Seagal owed him compensation for an unfulfilled film deal and resorted to threats through the Gambino crime family.

January 2001: Meeting with Ciccone and Extortion Attempt

In January 2001, Seagal was taken to a meeting in Brooklyn with Ciccone, who threatened him with death if he didn't fulfill the movie deal with Nasso or pay a penalty.

March 2001: Exit Wounds and other films

In March 2001, "Exit Wounds" was released, a commercial success considered Seagal's comeback with fewer martial arts scenes. "Ticker" went straight to DVD, and "Half Past Dead" underperformed, earning Seagal a Worst Actor nomination.

2001: Direct-to-video releases

From the latter half of 2001, most of Seagal's films were released direct-to-video in North America, though some saw theatrical release internationally. These included "Black Dawn," "Belly of the Beast," and others where he often served as producer and writer.

2001: Seeking Help from Genovese Crime Family

In the spring of 2001, following the threats from Ciccone, Seagal sought the intervention of Angelo Prisco, a captain in the Genovese crime family, to resolve the situation with Nasso. He paid Prisco's lawyer $10,000 for this assistance.

2001: Meeting Erdenetuya Batsukh

Seagal met Erdenetuya Batsukh, who would later become his wife, in 2001 when she served as his interpreter in Mongolia.

2002: Transitional Period Ends

2002 marked the end of Seagal's "Transitional Period" and the start of his direct-to-video period.

2002: Worst Actor Nomination

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

2002: Alleged Sexual Assault of Rachel Grant

Rachel Grant alleged that Seagal sexually assaulted her in 2002 during the pre-production of the movie "Out for a Kill".

March 17, 2003: Conviction of Cassarino, Ciccone, and Others

On March 17, 2003, several members of the Gambino family, including Anthony Ciccone and Primo Cassarino, were convicted on various charges, including extortion and racketeering, related to the Seagal case. Seagal testified for the prosecution.

August 2003: Nasso Pleads Guilty

In August 2003, Julius R. Nasso pleaded guilty to extortion conspiracy in relation to his attempts to coerce Seagal into fulfilling the film deal.

2003: Release of "Out for a Kill"

Seagal's direct-to-video film "Out for a Kill", during the pre-production of which Rachel Grant accused him of sexual assault, was released in 2003.

2003: Advocacy for Elephants

In 2003, Seagal wrote a letter urging Thailand's leaders to create a law protecting baby elephants from torture.

2003: Direct-to-video period begins

2003 marked the beginning of Seagal's direct-to-video period, his most prolific period to date.

February 2004: Nasso Sentenced

In February 2004, Julius R. Nasso was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, fined, and ordered to undergo mental health counseling following his release.

2004: Songs from the Crystal Cave Debut

Steven Seagal released his first album, "Songs from the Crystal Cave", in 2004.

2004: Martial Arts Hall of Fame Induction

Steven Seagal was inducted into the Martial Arts History Museum's Hall of Fame in 2004.

2005: Into the Sun Soundtrack

In 2005, the soundtrack for Seagal's film "Into the Sun" featured several songs from his debut album.

2005: Lightning Bolt Launch

Seagal launched an energy drink called "Steven Seagal's Lightning Bolt" in 2005.

April 2006: Mojo Priest Release and Tour

In April 2006, Steven Seagal released his second album, "Mojo Priest", and embarked on a concert tour to support it.

January 2008: Seagal and Nasso Settle Lawsuit

In January 2008, Seagal and Nasso reached an out-of-court settlement, with Nasso dropping a $60 million lawsuit against Seagal for alleged breach of contract.

2008: Direct-to-video period ends

2008 marked the end of Seagal's lengthy direct-to-video period.

2008: Seagalogy: An analysis of Seagal's career

In 2008, the book "Seagalogy" examined Seagal's filmography through auteur theory, identifying recurring themes like government corruption and environmentalism, and dividing his career into four eras.

December 2, 2009: Steven Seagal: Lawman Premiere

On December 2, 2009, "Steven Seagal: Lawman," a series showcasing his work with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, premiered on A&E.

2009: Steven Seagal: Lawman and shift to ensemble roles

In 2009, A&E premiered "Steven Seagal: Lawman," a reality show about Seagal's role as a deputy sheriff. In the 2010s, his direct-to-video films increasingly featured him in minor roles, drawing criticism.

2009: Chief Seagal period begins

2009 began the "Chief Seagal" era, marked by his move to television and the integration of his law enforcement persona into his films.

April 12, 2010: Lawsuit Filed by Kayden Nguyen

On April 12, 2010, Kayden Nguyen sued Steven Seagal for sexual harassment, illegal trafficking of females, and wrongful termination.

April 14, 2010: Lawman Suspension

On April 14, 2010, "Steven Seagal: Lawman" was temporarily suspended due to a lawsuit against Seagal.

July 14, 2010: Withdrawal of Lawsuit by Kayden Nguyen

On July 14, 2010, Kayden Nguyen withdrew her lawsuit against Seagal without explanation.

October 6, 2010: Lawman Returns

"Steven Seagal: Lawman" resumed airing for its second season on October 6, 2010.

2010: Machete: Villainous role

In 2010's "Machete," Seagal took on a villainous role, a departure from his typical protagonist roles.

2010: Machete

In 2010, Seagal played a villain in Robert Rodriguez's "Machete," one of his few theatrical releases since 2001.

2010: "Machete" and "Steven Seagal: Lawman"

In 2010, Seagal played the villain in the Robert Rodriguez's "Machete" and starred in the reality show "Steven Seagal: Lawman."

February 2011: Season 3 Production and Relocation

In February 2011, production began on Season 3 of "Lawman," relocating from Louisiana to Arizona.

May 12, 2011: True Justice premieres in Spain

On May 12, 2011, Seagal's TV action series "True Justice" premiered on Nitro in Spain.

May 2011: Lyoto Machida Credits Seagal for Training

In May 2011, Brazilian mixed martial artist Lyoto Machida acknowledged Seagal's contribution to his training and the development of his front kick technique.

July 20, 2011: True Justice premieres in the UK

On July 20, 2011, "True Justice" premiered in the UK on 5 USA and was later renewed for a second season on ReelzChannel. In the UK, the series was repackaged as DVD movies.

August 30, 2011: Lawsuit Filed by Jesus Sanchez Llovera

On August 30, 2011, Jesus Sanchez Llovera filed a lawsuit against Seagal for his involvement in a police raid on Llovera's property, which was filmed for the reality show "Steven Seagal: Lawman". Llovera sought damages and an apology.

October 2011: Texas Deputy Sheriff

Seagal was sworn in as a deputy sheriff in Hudspeth County, Texas, in October 2011.

January 4, 2012: Season 3 Suspension

The third season of "Steven Seagal: Lawman" was suspended shortly before its scheduled airing on January 4, 2012.

2012: Seagalogy updated edition

In 2012, "Seagalogy" was updated, adding a fifth era to reflect Seagal's move into television and the influence of his "Lawman" persona on his film roles.

2012: Chief Seagal period continues

2012 is within the ongoing "Chief Seagal" period of his career.

2012: LeBell Implies On-Set Incident

In 2012, Gene LeBell was interviewed about an alleged on-set incident with Seagal, but he avoided a direct confirmation while implying it occurred. He commented on Seagal's tendency to provoke others.

January 2013: Dismissal of Lawsuit by Jesus Sanchez Llovera

In January 2013, the lawsuit filed by Jesus Sanchez Llovera against Seagal was dismissed due to failure to file paperwork.

2013: ORSIS Partnership

Seagal partnered with Russian firearms manufacturer ORSIS in 2013.

January 2, 2014: Season 3 Premiere

The delayed third season of "Steven Seagal: Lawman" finally premiered on January 2, 2014.

March 2014: Support for Putin and Crimea Annexation

In March 2014, Seagal expressed his support for Vladimir Putin and Russia's annexation of Crimea.

July 2014: Removal from Estonian Festival

Seagal was removed from the lineup of a music festival in Estonia in July 2014 following calls for a boycott due to his political stances.

August 2014: Appearance at Night Wolves Show and Support for Crimean Annexation

In August 2014, Steven Seagal appeared at a show organized by the Night Wolves motorcycle club in Sevastopol, Crimea. During the event, he expressed his support for the annexation of Crimea by Russia and described Ukraine as being under fascist control.

2014: Support for Russian Annexation of Crimea

Seagal expressed his support for Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.

2015: Visit to Azerbaijan and Support for Territorial Integrity

In 2015, Seagal visited the Republic of Azerbaijan and met with President Ilham Aliyev. He expressed support for Azerbaijan's position in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the country's territorial integrity.

January 11, 2016: Serbian Citizenship

Seagal was granted Serbian citizenship on January 11, 2016.

November 3, 2016: Russian Citizenship

Seagal obtained Russian citizenship on November 3, 2016.

2016: Public Stance on National Anthem Protests and Alleged Russian Interference

In 2016, Seagal spoke out against protests by athletes during the U.S. national anthem. He expressed skepticism about claims of Russian interference in the U.S. elections. He was also challenged to a fight by George Foreman but declined.

2016: Granted Russian and Serbian Citizenship

Seagal was granted Russian and Serbian citizenship in 2016.

October 2017: Meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte

In October 2017, Seagal met with Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte in Manila while scouting film locations, and was photographed making Duterte's signature fist gesture.

November 9, 2017: Sexual Harassment Accusations by Portia de Rossi, Katherine Heigl and Faviola Dadis

In November 2017, actress Portia de Rossi, actress Katherine Heigl and Dutch model Faviola Dadis accused Seagal of sexual harassment. De Rossi and Dadis shared their accounts publicly. Heigl described Seagal's behavior on the set of Under Siege 2.

2017: Co-authoring "The Way of the Shadow Wolves"

In 2017, Steven Seagal co-authored a thriller novel, "The Way of the Shadow Wolves: The Deep State And The Hijacking Of America", with Tom Morrissey. The self-published book features a Tohono Shadow Wolf tracker thwarting a plot involving Mexican drug cartels, the "deep state", and Islamist terrorists.

January 15, 2018: Sexual Assault Accusation by Rachel Grant

On January 15, 2018, Rachel Grant accused Seagal of sexually assaulting her in 2002 during pre-production of "Out for a Kill".

February 2018: Review of Potential Sex-Abuse Case

In February 2018, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office reviewed a potential sex-abuse case involving Seagal.

March 2018: Rape Accusation by Regina Simons

In March 2018, Regina Simons accused Seagal of raping her in 1993.

September 2018: Declining to File Charges

In September 2018, Los Angeles prosecutors declined to charge Seagal based on Regina Simons' accusations due to the statute of limitations.

2018: Appointment as Russian Special Envoy

In 2018, Seagal was appointed Russia's special envoy to the U.S.

2019: Beyond the Law

In 2019, "Beyond the Law" was released theatrically in North America, a rare occurrence for Seagal's films after "Machete".

May 30, 2021: Joining A Just Russia — Patriots — For Truth Party

On May 30, 2021, Steven Seagal officially joined the pro-Kremlin political party A Just Russia — Patriots — For Truth and received a membership card. He also presented Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro with a katana and was referred to as "my brother" by Maduro.

March 2022: Birthday Party in Moscow and Olenivka Visit

In March 2022, amidst the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Seagal celebrated his birthday in Moscow with individuals connected to Vladimir Putin. His presence was criticized due to the international boycott of Russia.

August 2022: Visit to Olenivka Prison Massacre Site

In August 2022, Seagal visited Olenivka prison in Donetsk Oblast, the site of a massacre, with Denis Pushilin. It was claimed he was filming a documentary about the war in Donbass. He also met with Leonid Slutsky.

2022: Support for the Invasion of Ukraine

Steven Seagal supported the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

February 27, 2023: Receiving the Russian Order of Friendship

On February 27, 2023, Steven Seagal was awarded the Russian Order of Friendship by Vladimir Putin for his contributions to international cultural and humanitarian cooperation.

2023: Order of Friendship Award

Seagal was granted the Russian Order of Friendship medal in 2023.

History of Steven Seagal in Timeline