What Is Steven Seagal’s Net Worth and Salary?
With a net worth of $14 million, Steven Seagal is prominent as an American martial artist, action film actor, screenwriter, producer, and musician. During the 1980s and 1990s, he was among the most celebrated movie stars globally. His journey in the entertainment field began in the 1980s when Hollywood producer Michael Ovitz discovered him. The action film “Above the Law” (1988) marked his debut, showcasing his martial arts expertise and propelling him into fame. Following this success, he starred in a variety of action movies such as “Hard to Kill” (1990), “Under Siege” (1992), and “Exit Wounds” (2001), cementing his status as an action hero.
Beyond acting, Seagal has also pursued producing and directing, contributing to numerous films over the years. In more recent times, he has concentrated on action and thriller films, producing titles like “Attrition” (2018) and “Beyond the Law” (2019). Additionally, Steven is a trained musician, having released multiple blues albums that highlight his talents as a guitarist and vocalist.
In recent times, Seagal has attracted media attention due to his ties with Russia. He has established a strong bond with Russian President Vladimir Putin and acquired Russian citizenship. Embracing his relationship with the country, he frequently visits and engages in public events. Steven has also participated in Russian cultural projects, which include musical performances and charitable activities.
Steven Seagal Film Salaries
During the height of his career in the 1980s and 1990s, Steven Seagal was among the highest-paid actors in films globally. With his discovery by the powerful agent Michael Ovitz, he received top-notch representation from the very beginning. Consequently, he secured significant upfront salaries, producer credits, and back-end profits for his projects. Below are some of the known earnings of Steven Seagal:
- $5 million for “Under Siege” (1992)
- $6.5 million each for “Exit Wounds” (2001) and “Ticker” (2001)
- $20 million for “The Glimmer Man” (1996)
- $15 million for “On Deadly Ground” (1994)
- $10 million for “Marked For Death” (1990)
It’s also important to note that earning $10 million in 1990 is equivalent to earning approximately $25 million today.
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Early Life and Martial Arts
Born on April 10, 1952, in Lansing, Michigan, Steven Frederic Seagal relocated to Fullerton, California, with his parents, Patricia and Samuel, when he was just five years old. He attended Buena Park High School in Buena Park, California, before proceeding to Fullerton College from 1970 to 1971.
Beginning his martial arts journey as a child, Steven practiced Shito-ryu karate and aikido. Encouraged by a supportive friend, he immersed himself in the discipline.
At a Garden Grove dojo with a Japanese coworker, Seagal first traveled to Japan when he was just seventeen. In 1974, he was introduced to Miyako Fujitani, the daughter of an Aikido master from Osaka, who was teaching in Los Angeles. Miyako, also a second-degree black belt, opted to go back to Osaka, prompting Seagal to move with her, where he taught at her family’s dojo. He is frequently recognized as the first non-Asian to establish a dojo in Japan.
Steven’s initial return was to Taos, New Mexico, where he opened a dojo alongside his student Craig Dunn, before heading back to Japan. His second trip back to the United States occurred in 1983, when he collaborated with student Haruo Matsuoka to open an aikido dojo in West Hollywood, California. They went their separate ways in 1997.
Acting Career
While allowing his partners to oversee the dojos they had launched together, Seagal also embarked on new endeavors, notably in Hollywood action cinema. He began cultivating vital connections in the industry, which assisted him in securing roles as a martial arts coordinator for the films “The Challenge” and “Never Say Never Again.” Seagal’s acting debut came with the 1988 film “Above the Law,” directed by Andrew Davis, which became quite successful. He then starred in a series of hit films, including “Hard to Kill” (1990), “Marked for Death” (1990), and “Out for Justice” (1991). Each of these films performed well at the box office, solidifying his reputation as an action star. His major break into mainstream cinema occurred with the 1992 film “Under Siege,” also helmed by Andrew Davis, which grossed $156.4 million globally. In 1994, Seagal took the directorial reins for “On Deadly Ground,” a movie in which he also co-starred. This film was distinctive for its emphasis on spiritual and environmental themes, although it received negative reviews from critics. Seagal, nonetheless, regards it as a significant milestone in his career.
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Continuing his cinematic journey, he followed up on his blockbuster film “Under Siege” with “Under Siege 2: Dark Territory” in 1995. Other notable films from the late 1990s include “Executive Decision” (1996), “The Glimmer Man” (1996), and “Fire Down Below” (1997). He transitioned to direct-to-video projects with his 1998 film “The Patriot,” which he financed himself and filmed on his Montana property. Seagal has persisted in producing direct-to-video content; with the exception of “Machete” (2010), all of his film releases since late 2001 have been in the direct-to-video format in North America. He often receives credits as producer, and sometimes screenwriter, on many of these direct-to-video films, including titles like “Belly of the Beast” (2003), “Out of Reach” (2004), “Black Dawn” (2005), “Submerged” (2005), “Urban Justice” (2007), “Kill Switch” (2008), “Pistol Whipped” (2008), “Against the Dark” (2009), “Driven to Kill” (2009), “A Dangerous Man” (2009), “The Keeper” (2009), and “Born to Raise Hell” (2010).
Other Projects
Besides his film career, Seagal has made television appearances as well. In 2009, he was the star of the A&E reality series “Steven Seagal: Lawman” and also produced and acted in the 13-episode series “True Justice” in 2011. A talented guitarist, Steven has ventured into music, with his songs featured in several of his films. He has released two albums that include collaborations with artists like Stevie Wonder and Tony Rebel.
Steven established Seagal Enterprises, a company that marketed an energy drink.
In 2005, he launched a product known as Steven Seagal’s Lightning Bolt, which is no longer available. Additionally, he has promoted items like aftershave and a collection of knives. In 2013, he became involved with the newly established Russian firearms manufacturer ORSIS, where he supported the company and advocated for the relaxation of US import laws concerning Russian sporting firearms.
Personal Life
Seagal not only holds American citizenship but also possesses Serbian and Russian citizenship. His real estate portfolio includes properties situated in Louisiana, Colorado, and California.
With four different partners, Seagal has a total of seven children. He shares two children with his first wife, Miyako Fujitani, whom he divorced after relocating to the United States from Japan. After his separation from Fujitani, he married actress Adrienne La Russa briefly in 1984, although that marriage was annulled within the same year. He became a father with actress Kelly LeBrock in early 1987, and they married later that year, having two additional children before their divorce in 1994. Subsequently, he wed Mongolian dancer Erdenetuya “Elle” Batsukh, with whom he has one son.
In early 2018, Seagal used his social media platforms to inform followers about a cryptocurrency named “Bitcoiin2Gen.” Unfortunately, he neglected to reveal that he had been promised $250,000 in cash along with an additional $750,000 worth of Bitcoiin2Gen for promoting the cryptocurrency’s IPO, which is against the regulations set by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). After discussions with regulators, Seagal consented to remit $157,000 in disgorgement, plus another $157,000 as penalties, all without acknowledging or denying the SEC’s claims. Furthermore, he agreed to refrain from promoting any cryptocurrencies or securities on social media for a duration of three years.
Arizona Mansion
In 2001, Seagal acquired a 12-acre estate in Scottsdale, Arizona, for an undisclosed sum. He then constructed a custom-built mansion spanning 9,000 square feet. The mansion is not only gated, but it also features bulletproof glass. In December 2012, he put the property on the market for $4.25 million and ultimately accepted a sale price of $3.55 million in July 2021. A video tour of Steven Seagal’s former Arizona mansion can be viewed here: