Steven Seagal, the American actor and martial artist renowned for his roles in action films such as “Under Siege” and “Hard to Kill,” has reportedly passed away at the age of 72. Born on April 10, 1952, in Lansing, Michigan, Seagal was a 7th-dan black belt in aikido and began his adult life as a martial arts instructor in Japan. He later moved to Los Angeles, where he continued teaching aikido. citeturn0search5
Seagal’s film career took off with his 1988 debut in “Above the Law,” which is regarded as the first American film to feature aikido in fight sequences. He went on to star in over 50 films, including “Under Siege” (1992), where he played Navy SEALs counter-terrorist expert Casey Ryback, a role he reprised in the sequel “Under Siege 2: Dark Territory” (1995). citeturn0search5
In 2016, Seagal sought to obtain Russian citizenship, which Russian President Vladimir Putin granted. He has been a vocal supporter of Putin and has expressed his willingness to fight and die for Russia. citeturn0search3
Seagal’s passing marks the end of a significant era in action cinema. His contributions to the genre and his unique blend of martial arts and film will be remembered by fans worldwide.
