Steven Seagal: The Man, The Myth, The Martial Artist

What’s Steven Seagal’s Net Worth and Salary?

Let me tell you about Steven Seagal, the Hollywood legend who’s worth a cool $14 million. Now, this guy wasn’t always a millionaire. Back in the 1980s and 1990s, Seagal was one of the biggest names in action movies. His career kicked off when Hollywood heavyweight Michael Ovitz discovered him. Seagal’s first big break came with the film "Above the Law" in 1988, where he showcased his incredible martial arts skills. From there, he was on a roll, starring in hits like "Hard to Kill" (1990), "Under Siege" (1992), and "Exit Wounds" (2001). Each of these films cemented his reputation as an action star.

But Seagal’s talents don’t stop at acting. He’s also a producer, director, and even a musician. Over the years, he’s produced and starred in countless films, many of which fall into the action and thriller genres. Some of his recent work includes "Attrition" (2018) and "Beyond the Law" (2019). If that’s not enough, Seagal’s also a blues musician, releasing several albums that highlight his skills as a guitarist and singer.

Oh, and let’s not forget about his life in Russia. Steven’s become quite the celebrity there, developing a close friendship with President Vladimir Putin. He’s even been granted Russian citizenship. These days, Seagal spends a lot of time in Russia, performing music and participating in charity events. He’s really embraced the culture and made it part of his life.

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Steven Seagal’s Film Salaries: The Big Bucks

Back in the day, Steven Seagal was one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood. Thanks to Michael Ovitz, one of the most powerful agents in the industry, Seagal had top-notch representation right from the start. This meant big salaries, producer credits, and even a cut of the profits from his films. Let’s take a look at some of his biggest paychecks:

• $5 million for the film "Under Siege" (1992)
• $6.5 million each for the films "Exit Wounds" (2001) and "Ticker" (2001)
• $20 million for the film "The Glimmer Man" (1996)
• $15 million for the film "On Deadly Ground" (1994)
• $10 million for the film "Marked For Death" (1990)

And remember, earning $10 million in 1990 is equivalent to around $25 million in today’s dollars. That’s a lot of cash!

Early Life and Martial Arts: How It All Began

Steven Frederic Seagal was born on April 10, 1952, in Lansing, Michigan. His parents, Patricia and Samuel, moved the family to Fullerton, California, when Steven was just five years old. He attended Buena Park High School and later studied at Fullerton College from 1970 to 1971.

Seagal’s passion for martial arts started early. As a kid, he practiced Shito-ryu karate and aikido. His journey took a significant turn when a Japanese coworker at a Garden Grove dojo encouraged him to visit Japan. At just 17, Steven made his first trip to the Land of the Rising Sun. In 1974, he met Miyako Fujitani, the daughter of an Osaka Aikido master. Miyako, a second-degree black belt, invited Seagal to Japan, where he taught at her family’s dojo. Interestingly, Seagal became the first non-Asian to open a dojo in Japan.

Steven’s travels didn’t end there. He returned to Taos, New Mexico, where he opened a dojo with his student Craig Dunn. Later, he went back to Japan before returning to the U.S. in 1983. This time, he opened an aikido dojo in West Hollywood, California, with another student, Haruo Matsuoka. They parted ways in 1997, but Seagal’s legacy in martial arts remains strong.

Acting Career: From Martial Arts to Movie Magic

While Seagal left his dojo partners to run the business, he set his sights on Hollywood. His connections in the film industry helped him land jobs as a martial arts co-coordinator for movies like "The Challenge" and "Never Say Never Again." But it was "Above the Law" (1988) that marked his acting debut. Directed by Andrew Davis, the film was a hit, and Seagal quickly became a household name. He followed up with "Hard to Kill" (1990), "Marked for Death" (1990), and "Out for Justice" (1991), all of which were box office successes.

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Seagal’s breakthrough moment came with "Under Siege" (1992), another collaboration with Andrew Davis. The film grossed $156.4 million worldwide and solidified his status as an action hero. In 1994, Seagal directed his first movie, "On Deadly Ground," which he also starred in. The film tackled spiritual and environmental themes, though critics weren’t kind. Despite the mixed reviews, Seagal considers it a pivotal moment in his career.

Seagal continued his film career with "Under Siege 2: Dark Territory" (1995) and other notable films like "Executive Decision" (1996), "The Glimmer Man" (1996), and "Fire Down Below" (1997). In 1998, he ventured into direct-to-video work with "The Patriot," a project he produced with his own money. Since then, most of his films have been released direct-to-video, with the exception of "Machete" (2010). He often wears multiple hats in these projects, acting as producer and sometimes screenwriter.

Other Projects: Beyond the Silver Screen

Seagal’s talents extend beyond movies. He’s also made a name for himself on television, starring in the A&E reality series "Steven Seagal: Lawman" in 2009. Later, in 2011, he produced and starred in the 13-episode series "True Justice." Oh, and let’s not forget his music career. Seagal’s a talented guitarist and singer, and his songs have been featured in several of his films. He’s even released two albums, collaborating with artists like Stevie Wonder and Tony Rebel.

But that’s not all. Steven is also the founder of Seagal Enterprises, a company that once marketed an energy drink called Steven Seagal’s Lightning Bolt. While the drink is no longer available, Seagal has dabbled in other products, including aftershave and a knife collection. In 2013, he joined ORSIS, a Russian firearms manufacturer, helping them navigate U.S. import restrictions on Russian sporting firearms.

Personal Life: Family, Citizenship, and Controversy

Seagal holds American, Serbian, and Russian citizenship. He owns properties across the U.S., including in Louisiana, Colorado, and California. Steven’s personal life has been colorful, to say the least. He has seven children from four different relationships. His first marriage was to Miyako Fujitani, with whom he has two children. They divorced after Seagal moved back to the U.S. He was briefly married to actress Adrienne La Russa in 1984, but the marriage was annulled that same year.

Seagal later married actress Kelly LeBrock in 1987, and they had three children together before divorcing in 1994. His current wife is Mongolian dancer Erdenetuya “Elle” Batsukh, with whom he shares a son. In 2018, Seagal promoted a cryptocurrency called Bitcoiin2Gen on social media. However, he failed to disclose that he was paid $250,000 in cash and $750,000 worth of Bitcoiin2Gen to promote the IPO. The SEC caught wind of this, and Seagal agreed to pay $157,000 in disgorgement and another $157,000 in penalties, all without admitting or denying the allegations. He’s now banned from promoting cryptocurrencies or securities on social media for three years.

Arizona Mansion: A Fortress in the Desert

In 2001, Steven purchased a 12-acre property in Scottsdale, Arizona. He built a custom 9,000-square-foot stone mansion on the land, complete with bulletproof glass and gated security. He listed the home for sale in December 2012 for $4.25 million and eventually sold it for $3.55 million in July 2021. Here’s a video tour of Steven Seagal’s former Arizona mansion: