Steven Seagal Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Steven Seagal’s Net Worth and Salary?

With a net worth of $14 million, Steven Seagal is renowned as an American martial artist, action movie icon, screenwriter, producer, and musician. He rose to prominence in the 1980s and 1990s as one of the biggest movie stars globally. His journey in the entertainment industry kicked off in the 1980s when Hollywood producer Michael Ovitz discovered him. His martial arts abilities were highlighted in his debut film, “Above the Law” (1988), which helped catapult him into fame. Subsequently, he starred in a variety of action films such as “Hard to Kill” (1990), “Under Siege” (1992), and “Exit Wounds” (2001), cementing his status as an action film legend.

Beyond acting, Seagal has also pursued careers in producing and directing. Over the years, he has produced and appeared in a multitude of films. In more recent times, he has concentrated on action and thriller projects, with releases like “Attrition” (2018) and “Beyond the Law” (2019). Additionally, Steven is a skilled musician, having released several blues albums that showcase his talents as both a guitarist and singer.

In the past few years, Seagal has garnered media attention for his life in Russia. He has formed a close bond with Russian President Vladimir Putin and has been granted citizenship in Russia. Steven has adapted well to the country, often visiting and engaging in various public activities. He has participated in cultural initiatives in Russia, encompassing music performances and charity endeavors.

Steven Seagal Film Salaries

During the height of his career in the ’80s and ’90s, Steven Seagal ranked among the top-paid film stars worldwide. Discovered by the influential agent Michael Ovitz, he had excellent representation from the start, which led to lucrative upfront salaries, producer credits, and back-end deals on his projects. Here are some documented earnings of Steven Seagal:

• $5 million for “Under Siege” (1992)
• $6.5 million for both “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 worth noting that a $10 million earning in 1990 equates to about $25 million in today’s market.

Early Life and Martial Arts

Born on April 10, 1952, in Lansing, Michigan, Steven Frederic Seagal relocated with his parents, Patricia and Samuel, to Fullerton, California, at the age of five. He completed his education at Buena Park High School in Buena Park, California, followed by Fullerton College from 1970 to 1971.

Seagal embarked on his martial arts journey as a child, training in Shito-ryu karate and aikido. At the age of seventeen, encouraged by a friendly Japanese coworker from a Garden Grove dojo, he traveled to Japan for the first time. In 1974, he crossed paths with Miyako Fujitani, the daughter of an Aikido master from Osaka, who was teaching Aikido in Los Angeles. Miyako was…also a black belt of the second degree. When she chose to return to Osaka, Seagal followed her to Japan and taught at the dojo owned by her family (he is frequently referred to as the first non-Asian individual to establish a dojo in Japan).

Initially, Steven went back to Taos, New Mexico, where he partnered with his student Craig Dunn to open a dojo before making another trip to Japan. In 1983, he returned to the United States once more, this time founding an aikido dojo alongside student Haruo Matsuoka in West Hollywood, California. Their partnership came to an end in 1997.

Acting Career

While leaving his partners to manage the dojos they had founded, Seagal also ventured into other pursuits, particularly in Hollywood action films. He began building valuable connections in Hollywood, which enabled him to secure roles as a martial arts co-coordinator for films like “The Challenge” and “Never Say Never Again.” His acting debut occurred in the 1988 film “Above the Law,” directed by Andrew Davis, which was a success. Following that, he starred in several successful films such as “Hard to Kill” (1990), “Marked for Death” (1990), and “Out for Justice” (1991). All were box office hits, solidifying his reputation as an action star. His major breakthrough came in 1992 with “Under Siege,” also under the direction of Andrew Davis, which grossed $156.4 million globally. In 1994, he made his directorial debut with “On Deadly Ground.” This film, featuring him as a co-star, represented a change for him, addressing significant spiritual and environmental themes. Although it received poor critical reviews, Seagal regards it as a pivotal point in his career.

He continued his cinematic journey with a sequel to his most acclaimed film “Under Siege,” titled “Under Siege 2: Dark Territory,” released in 1995. Throughout the late 1990s, he appeared in films such as “Executive Decision” (1996), “The Glimmer Man” (1996), and “Fire Down Below” (1997). He transitioned to direct-to-video productions starting with the 1998 film “The Patriot,” which he financed himself and filmed on and around his farm in Montana. Since then, he has mostly focused on direct-to-video projects; with the only exception being “Machete” (2010), every film he has worked on since late 2001 has been released directly to video (DTV) in North America. Additionally, he is often credited as a producer and sometimes as a screenwriter for many of these DTV 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

Aside from his film endeavors, Seagal has also made television appearances. In 2009, he starred in the A&E reality show “Steven Seagal: Lawman” and later produced and starred in a 13-episode series titled “True Justice” in 2011. Steven, who has a passion for playing guitar, has enjoyed a music career as well, with several of his songs featured in his films. He has released two albums that have showcased.

Artists like Stevie Wonder and Tony Rebel are featured in songs.

Seagal Enterprises was established by Steven, who marketed an energy drink named Steven Seagal’s Lightning Bolt in 2005, although this product has since been discontinued. Additionally, he has promoted items including aftershave and a knife collection. In 2013, he became involved with the newly created Russian firearms manufacturer ORSIS, where he advocated for the company while lobbying for the easing of U.S. import restrictions regarding Russian sporting firearms.

Personal Life

Besides being a U.S. citizen, Seagal also possesses Serbian and Russian citizenship. He is the owner of multiple properties spread across Louisiana, Colorado, and California.

Seven children from four different relationships make up Seagal’s family. His first wife, Miyako Fujitani, gave birth to two of his children, but the couple divorced after Steven relocated to the United States, leaving her in Japan. Following this, he had a short marriage to actress Adrienne La Russa in 1984, which was annulled within the same year. In early 1987, actress Kelly LeBrock gave birth to his daughter, and they got married later that year. They had two additional children before parting ways in 1994. Subsequently, he wed Mongolian dancer Erdenetuya “Elle” Batsukh, with whom he has one son. 

In early 2018, Seagal announced a cryptocurrency called “Bitcoiin2Gen” on his social media. Regrettably, he did not reveal that he had been offered $250,000 in cash and an additional $750,000 worth of Bitcoiin2Gen to endorse the crypto’s IPO, which is against the regulations set by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). After discussions with regulators, he consented to pay $157,000 in disgorgement alongside another $157,000 in penalties, all while not explicitly “admitting or denying” the SEC’s claims. Furthermore, he agreed to refrain from promoting any cryptocurrencies or securities on social media for three years.

Arizona Mansion

In 2001, Steven acquired a 12-acre property in Scottsdale, Arizona, at an undisclosed price. He then constructed a stone mansion that spans 9,000 square feet. The property features both gated access and bulletproof glass. Initially listed for sale in December 2012 at $4.25 million, he accepted $3.55 million for the residence in July 2021. Below is a video tour of Steven Seagal’s former Arizona mansion: