Steven New Popular Books

Steven New Biography & Facts

Steven Frederic Seagal (; born April 10, 1952) is an American actor, producer, screenwriter, martial artist, and musician. A 7th-dan black belt in aikido, he began his adult life as a martial arts instructor in Japan and eventually ended up running his father-in-law's dojo. He later moved to Los Angeles where he had the same profession. In 1988, Seagal made his acting debut in Above the Law, which is regarded as the first American film to feature aikido in fight sequences. By 1991, he had starred in four films. In 1992, he played Navy SEAL counter-terrorist expert Casey Ryback in Under Siege. During the latter half of the 1990s, Seagal starred in three more feature films and the direct-to-video film The Patriot. Subsequently, his career shifted to mostly direct-to-video productions. He has since appeared in films and reality shows, including Steven Seagal: Lawman, which depicted Seagal performing duties as a reserve deputy sheriff. Seagal is a guitarist and has released two studio albums, Songs from the Crystal Cave and Mojo Priest, and performed on the scores of several of his films. He has worked with Stevie Wonder and Tony Rebel, who both performed on his debut album. He has been involved in a line of "therapeutic oil" products and energy drinks. Seagal is an environmentalist, animal rights activist, and supporter of 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso.Seagal is a supporter of Vladimir Putin, to whom he once referred as "one of the great living world leaders". He was granted both Russian and Serbian citizenship in 2016. In 2018, he was appointed Russia's special envoy to the U.S. From 1996 to 2018, multiple women accused Seagal of sexual harassment or assault. Early life Seagal was born on April 10, 1952, in Lansing, Michigan, the son of Patricia Anne Fisher, a medical technician, and Samuel Seagal, a mathematics teacher. His mother was of Irish descent, while his father was Jewish. His paternal grandparents were Russian Jewish immigrants. During an interview for the Russian talk show Let Them Talk, Seagal stated that he has paternal ancestors from the Siberian city of Vladivostok, as well as Belarus and Saint Petersburg. He stated that genetic testing determined that he has Yakut and Buryat ancestry as well. When he was 5-years-old, Seagal moved with his parents to Fullerton, California. His mother later told People magazine that prior to the move Seagal was frail and suffered from asthma: "He was a puny kid back then. But he really thrived after the move [from Michigan]."Seagal attended Buena Park High School in Buena Park, California, and Fullerton College between 1970 and 1971. Seagal has been described as a “pathological liar” due to his propensity of making greatly exaggerated or outright fabricated statements about his personal life and achievements. For instance, Seagal has claimed that he was a student of the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba; despite the fact that Ueshiba died in 1969 when Seagal was 17 and five years before Seagal moved to Japan at age 22 — when he moved there to allegedly avoid the draft for the Vietnam War by marrying a Japanese national. Martial arts and Japan According to Seagal's first wife, Miyako Fujitani: "I met Steven in California in the fall of 1974. He followed me back to Japan in October. We got married in December 1974." Fujitani was a second-degree black belt and daughter of an Osaka aikido master who had come to Los Angeles to teach aikido. After they married, they had a son, Kentaro, and a daughter, Ayako. Seagal taught at the school owned by Miyako's family and earned his aikido black belt in 1978. Interviewed in 1993, Fujitani stated that: "The only reason Steven was awarded the black belt was because the judge, who was famous for his laziness, fell asleep during Steven's presentation. The judge just gave him the black belt."Seagal has claimed that he helped train CIA agents in Japan: "They saw my abilities, both with martial arts and with the language. You could say that I became an advisor to several CIA agents in the field, and through my friends in the CIA, I met many powerful people and did special works and favors." Fujitani has refuted these allegations and has also dismissed Seagal's claims that he had combatted yakuza. There is no evidence that Seagal has ever worked with the Central Intelligence Agency. In the early-1980s, Seagal had aspirations to return to America and become a movie star. Fujitani then "scrimped and saved for years, even denying herself and her children necessities, to help pay his way home." According to Fujitani, "he then availed himself of her savings and hied off."Seagal returned to Taos, New Mexico, with his student (and later film stuntman) Craig Dunn, where they opened a dojo, although Seagal spent much of his time pursuing other ventures. After another period in Japan, Seagal returned to the United States in 1983 with senior student Haruo Matsuoka. They opened an aikido dojo, initially in North Hollywood, but later moved it to the city of West Hollywood. Seagal left Matsuoka in charge of the dojo, which the latter ran until the two parted ways in 1997. Seagal helped train Brazilian mixed martial artist Lyoto Machida, who credited Seagal for helping him perfect the front kick that he used to knock out Randy Couture at UFC 129 in May 2011. Career 1987–2002: Hollywood action star In 1987, Seagal began work on his first film, Above the Law (titled Nico in Europe), with director Andrew Davis. Seagal was asked to make the film by his former aikido pupil, agent Michael Ovitz, who believed that he could make anyone a movie star. The film grossed $18,869,631 in the U.S. and Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times stated "It contains 50 percent more plot than it needs, but that allows it room to grow in areas not ordinarily covered in action thrillers." Following its success, Seagal's subsequent movies were Hard to Kill, Marked for Death, and Out for Justice; all were box office hits and made Seagal an action hero. Janet Maslin of The New York Times wrote, "Mr. Seagal is effective for both his novelty value and his ability to be both literally and figuratively disarming."He achieved mainstream success in 1992 with the release of Under Siege, which reunited Seagal with director Andrew Davis for what critics described as "Die Hard on a battleship". Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 79% based on reviews from 28 critics. The site's consensus states: "A well-directed action thriller that makes the most of its confined setting, Under Siege marks a high point for early '90s action—and its star's spotty filmography." Under Siege is the only film starring Seagal to receive a fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes (alongside his supporting roles in Executive Decision and Machete). On April 20, 1991, Seagal hosted Season 16, Episode 18 of Saturday Night Live. The series' long-time executive producer Lorne Michaels and cast-members David Spade and Tim Meadows called Seagal the show's "worst host ever". .... Discover the Steven New popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Steven New books.

Best Seller Steven New Books of 2024

  • Soft Target synopsis, comments

    Soft Target

    Stephen Hunter

    Another actionpacked thriller from Stephen Hunter, this time starring Ray Cruz, the son of exMarine sniper Bob Lee Swagger, who was introduced in Hunter’s previous bestseller, Dead...

  • The Heroin Diaries synopsis, comments

    The Heroin Diaries

    Nikki Sixx

    In one of the most unique memoirs of addiction ever published, Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx shares mesmerizing diary entries from the year he spiraled out of control in a haze of heroi...

  • Finders Keepers synopsis, comments

    Finders Keepers

    Stephen King

    The second book in Stephen King’s Bill Hodges trilogy (Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, End of Watch)now an AT&T Audience Original Series!“Stephen King’s superb stayupallnight th...

  • Hot Springs synopsis, comments

    Hot Springs

    Stephen Hunter

    The undisputed master of the tough thriller, New York Times bestselling author Stephen Hunter delivers an “exciting and intelligent” (The Wall Street Journal) masterpiece set in 19...

  • Forever Strong synopsis, comments

    Forever Strong

    Gabrielle Lyon

    INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER USA TODAY BESTSELLER WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLERLearn how to reboot your metabolism, build strength, and extend your life with this accessibl...

  • Needful Things synopsis, comments

    Needful Things

    Stephen King

    Set in the fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine Master storyteller Stephen King presents the classic #1 New York Times bestseller about a mysterious store than can sell you whateve...

  • Dreamcatcher synopsis, comments

    Dreamcatcher

    Stephen King

    From master storyteller Stephen King comes his classic #1 New York Times bestseller about four friends who encounter evil in the Maine woods.Twentyfive years ago, in their haunted ...

  • Cell synopsis, comments

    Cell

    Stephen King

    From international bestseller Stephen King, a highconcept, ingenious and terrifying story about the mayhem unleashed when a pulse from a mysterious source transforms all cell phone...

  • End of Watch synopsis, comments

    End of Watch

    Stephen King

    Now an AT&T Audience Original SeriesThe fabulously suspenseful and "smashing" (The New York Times Book Review) final novel in the Bill Hodges trilogy from the #1 New York Times...

  • Blaze synopsis, comments

    Blaze

    Stephen King

    Master storyteller Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman) presents this gripping and remarkable New York Times bestselling crime novel about a damaged young man who embarks on a...

  • Different Seasons synopsis, comments

    Different Seasons

    Stephen King

    Includes the stories “The Body” and “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption”set in the fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine A “hypnotic” (The New York Times Book Review) collection...

  • Doctor Sleep synopsis, comments

    Doctor Sleep

    Stephen King

    Now a major motion picture starring Ewan McGregor!From master storyteller Stephen King, his unforgettable and terrifying sequel to The Shiningan instant #1 New York Times bestselle...

  • The Colorado Kid synopsis, comments

    The Colorado Kid

    Stephen King

    On an island off the coast of Maine, a man is found dead. There's no identification on the body. Only the dogged work of a pair of local newspapermen and a graduate student in fore...

  • Mr. Mercedes synopsis, comments

    Mr. Mercedes

    Stephen King

    WINNER OF THE 2015 EDGAR AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL #1 New York Times bestseller! In a highsuspense race against time, three of the most unlikely heroes Stephen King has ever created try...

  • The Daughters of Mars synopsis, comments

    The Daughters of Mars

    Thomas Keneally

    In what is perhaps “the best novel of his career” (The Spectator), the acclaimed author of Schindler’s List tells the unforgettable story of two sisters whose lives are transformed...

  • Rose Madder synopsis, comments

    Rose Madder

    Stephen King

    The #1 national bestseller about a woman who escapes an abusive marriage is “one of Stephen King’s most engrossing horror novels. Relentlessly paced and brilliantly orchestrated......

  • The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon synopsis, comments

    The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon

    Stephen King

    From international bestseller Stephen King, a classic story that engages our emotions on the most primal level, a fairy tale grimmer than Grimm but aglow with a girl’s indomitable ...

  • From a Buick 8 synopsis, comments

    From a Buick 8

    Stephen King

    The #1 New York Times bestseller from Stephen Kinga novel about the fascination deadly things have for us and about our insistence on answers when there are none…Since 1979, the st...

  • Aftermath synopsis, comments

    Aftermath

    Tracy Brown

    When Misa Atkinson confesses to the murder of Steven Bingham, her sister's brotherinlaw, for doing the unthinkable to her son, everything is turned upside down. Misa now faces jail...

  • Christine synopsis, comments

    Christine

    Stephen King

    Stephen King’s ultimate evil vehicle of terror, Christine: the frightening story of a nerdy teenager who falls in love with his vintage Plymouth Fury. It’s love at first sight, but...

  • The Green Mile synopsis, comments

    The Green Mile

    Stephen King

    Masterfully told and as suspenseful as it is haunting, The Green Mile is Stephen King’s classic #1 New York Times bestselling dramatic serial novel and inspiration for the Oscarnom...

  • The Boy on the Wooden Box synopsis, comments

    The Boy on the Wooden Box

    Leon Leyson

    “Much like The Boy In the Striped Pajamas or The Book Thief,” this remarkable memoir from Leon Leyson, one of the youngest children to survive the Holocaust on Oskar Schindler’s li...

  • I, Ripper synopsis, comments

    I, Ripper

    Stephen Hunter

    The electrifying new thriller from New York Times bestselling author Stephen Hunter takes you deep inside the mind of the most notorious serial killer of all time: Jack the Ripper....

  • The Tommyknockers synopsis, comments

    The Tommyknockers

    Stephen King

    “Stephen King never stops giving us his all” (Chicago Tribune) in this #1 national bestseller about the idyllic small town of Haven, Maine, and its encounter with a deadly evil out...

  • Desperation synopsis, comments

    Desperation

    Stephen King

    “The terror is relentless” (Publishers Weekly) in Stephen King’s #1 national bestseller about a little mining town, Desperation, that many will enter on their way to somewhere else...

  • Hearts In Atlantis synopsis, comments

    Hearts In Atlantis

    Stephen King

    The classic collection of five deeply resonant and disturbing interconnected stories from #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephen King.Innocence, experience, truth, deceit, lo...

  • Black House synopsis, comments

    Black House

    Stephen King

    From the #1 New York Times bestselling authors of The Talisman, “an intelligent…suspenseful pageturner” (The Wall Street Journal) from “two master craftsmen, each at the top of his...

  • Under the Dome synopsis, comments

    Under the Dome

    Stephen King

    Don’t miss the “harrowing” (The Washington Post) #1 New York Times bestselling thriller from master storyteller Stephen King that inspired the hit television series, following the ...

  • Born to Run synopsis, comments

    Born to Run

    Bruce Springsteen

    “Writing about yourself is a funny business…But in a project like this, the writer has made one promise, to show the reader his mind. In these pages, I’ve tried to do this.” Bruce ...

  • Sleeping Beauties synopsis, comments

    Sleeping Beauties

    Stephen King & Owen King

    In this spectacular New York Times bestselling father/son collaboration that “barrels along like a freight train” (Publishers Weekly), Stephen King and Owen King tell the highest o...

  • Dead Men Walking synopsis, comments

    Dead Men Walking

    Dan Ames

    “You do not mess with the special investigators.” Jack Reacher handpicked a group of the smartest, toughest and most fearless individuals in the Army’s 110th MP to form an elite un...

  • Riding the Bullet synopsis, comments

    Riding the Bullet

    Stephen King

    From international bestseller Stephen King the first ebook ever publisheda novella about a young man who hitches a ride with a driver from the other side.Riding the Bullet is “a gh...

  • Down the Drain synopsis, comments

    Down the Drain

    Julia Fox

    A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERThe hotly anticipated book from “one of the alltime popculture greats” (New York magazine) that chronicles her shocking life and unyielding determination...

  • Insomnia synopsis, comments

    Insomnia

    Stephen King

    A #1 national bestseller“A yarn so packed with suspense, romance, literary reference, fascinating miscellaneous knowledge, and heart that only Stephen King could have written it. M...

  • The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs synopsis, comments

    The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs

    Steve Brusatte

    "THE ULTIMATE DINOSAUR BIOGRAPHY," hails Scientific American: A thrilling new history of the age of dinosaurs, from one of our finest young scientists. "A masterpiece of scien...

  • Cujo synopsis, comments

    Cujo

    Stephen King

    The #1 New York Times bestseller, Cujo “hits the jugular” (The New York Times) with the story of a friendly Saint Bernard that is bitten by a bat. Get ready to meet the most hideou...

  • Misery synopsis, comments

    Misery

    Stephen King

    The #1 New York Times bestseller about a famous novelist held hostage in a remote location by his “number one fan.” One of “Stephen King’s best…genuinely scary” (USA TODAY).Bestsel...