Steven Seagal Given Top State Award From Vladimir Putin Himself
Steven Seagal received Russia's Order of Friendship, the top award for allies of the country, directly from President Vladimir Putin as recognition of his work as a Special Representative.
It’s not the plot of a low-budget action film, it’s the news. As detailed in a report by Reuters, actor Steven Seagal was awarded Russia’s Order of Friendship, one of the highest honors from Moscow. Seagal, a Russian citizen since 2016, was awarded for his international humanitarian and cultural efforts; the actor serves as a cultural and humanitarian liaison between Russia, the U.S., and Japan.
Born and raised in the United States, Steven Seagal spent several years in Japan studying and teaching martial arts and maintains citizenship in the U.S., Serbia, and Russia. His career in action films began in the late 1980s, breaking out with 1992’s Under Siege, which he starred in alongside Tommy Lee Jones. He is a Special Representative for Russia-US Cultural Links and a friend of Vladimir Putin, who personally bestowed Seagal with a Russian passport in 2016
The award for Seagal comes amidst historic tension between the U.S. and Russia. The war between Russia and Ukraine, now at the start of its second year, has strained global politics and deteriorated already rocky relationships between key world powers. Steven Seagal publicly supported Russia’s annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine in 2014 and has since backed Russia in the ensuing war.
In 2021, Steven Seagal joined a pro-Kremlin party, and last year, the actor visited a Russian-occupied region of Ukraine. He also hit the Russian airwaves to call Ukraine a threat to Russian sovereignty. The United States has condemned Russia’s actions and vowed to provide support for Ukraine for as long as the conflict continues.
Steven Seagal has a puzzling and unsettling relationship with Russia but continues to make a career out of starring in low-budget action films. The martial artist’s glory days on the silver screen are long behind him, but he looks to resurrect his earliest role soon. Steven Seagal produced and starred in his first film, Above the Law, which was also based on a story by the actor; he will carry all three credits on the follow-up, Above the Law 2.
Seagal’s career has included movies, music, martial arts, law enforcement, combat training, firearms, his own brand of aftershave, and the failed energy drink venture Steven Seagal’s Lightning Bolt. Many of Seagal’s career’s ups, downs, and turnarounds have been marred by scandal.
Steven Seagal divorced his first wife after an affair with actress and model Kelly LeBrock. After another brief marriage, Seagal married LeBrock but eventually divorced her. He then married a woman named Elle, Seagal’s interpreter on a visit to Mongolia.
Since the 1990s, Steven Seagal has been accused of sexual harassment and even trafficking. Allegations of misconduct have been compounded by accusations of extortion and intentionally hitting stuntmen during simulated fights on movie sets. This contrasts with honors throughout his life for humanitarian work, including a PETA humanitarian award in 1999.
Steven Seagal has been vocal about his controversial political views in the last decade. In addition to his support of Russia and close relationship with Vladimir Putin, Seagal has criticized professional athletes protesting the National Anthem and voiced doubt about Russia’s potential involvement in the United States’ 2016 presidential election.
Steven Seagal is an odd figure and maybe always has been. His involvement in Russian politics is unlikely to be of much consequence on the world stage. Still, his recent actions and opinions may cast a shadow on the actor’s already questionable life and career.
