Steven Seagal is an icon for his impressive performances in action movies of the 1900s and 2000s. He was however not a very well-liked person in Hollywood. After many abuse and s*xual assault allegations, his reputation was tarnished in the industry. Due of the backlash and negative media attention, he was receiving, the star was forced to move elsewhere to be able to continue to make ends meet.
Seagal was brought up in the US but his father was from Russia. His mother was deeply immersed in Russian culture and he was surrounded by it growing up. The actor moved to Russia in search of work and has been living there as a Russian citizen since 2016 after being granted a Russian passport by Putin himself. His controversies did not however end when he switched countries.
What has Steven Seagal Been Doing in Russia Since 2016?
After going to Russia, Steven Seagal has been very vocal about his support of the country. The actor has claimed to have loved Russia growing up. He has also been very outspoken about his respect towards Putin. He was also awarded the Order of Friendship medal recently by President Vladimir Putin for his “major contribution to the development of international cultural and humanitarian cooperation.”
“So I grew up with Russian culture. I grew up loving Russia and loving all of what I learned about it from a very early age. And for me, I am on million per cent Russophile and and one million per cent Russian.” Said the actor.
The actor’s vocal support of Putin’s decisions during the crisis raised many eyebrows. He also plans to release a documentary on the matter.
Steven Seagal Teaches Martial Arts to Russian Soldiers
Steven Seagal was an incredibly hardcore actor during his time as an action hero. He is a seventh-dan black belt in Aikido. Being a highly trained individual, it is no surprise that he is using his knowledge to educate others. He is also the chief instructor of the Russian Federation of this martial art since 2018.
“The young people I saw today have a very big potential. We need to open more such centers to develop that potential. It is important that the development of aikido progresses at a faster pace,” Seagal told Russia’s TASS news agency.
Seagal has just opened an Aikido center in Moscow. He opened this establishment with the intention of preparing the young Russians who wish to join the Russian armed forces. The actor also presented the President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro with a samurai sword on behalf of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Source: Independent
