The former 90s action movie star turned pro-Putin mouthpiece declared his love for his adopted homeland in a video which had people hoping he won’t be making new films any time soon
Former action movie star Steven Seagal declared he is “proud to be Russian” as a propaganda clip surfaced on social media. Seagal became a Russian citizen after striking up a friendship with Vladimir Putin, and produced a documentary last year which appeared to try and justify the invasion of Ukraine.
During the 90s, Seagal was a huge star of movies including Under Siege , Out for Justice and Hard to Kill. He has since become pals with Putin through their shared love of martial arts, having described the Russian premier as a “brother” and as “one of the greatest living world leaders”.
Since becoming a Russian citizen in 2016, Seagal has become a mouthpiece for Putin’s regime, and was awarded the Order of Friendship by his pal for his efforts to improve relations with the US. Last year, Seagal directed and starred in a 30-minute documentary titled In The Name of Justice, appearing to blame Ukrainian nationalists for Russia’s invasion in 2022.
In a video which surfaced on X on Wednesday, Seagal reiterated his love of his adopted homeland. Appearing on stage in front of a packed hall, the former Hollywood star is introduced in Russian, before saying in English: “I am proud to be Russian, proud to be here today. And if God gives me the opportunity to be here longer and longer, I will be very very grateful to serve God and my country, and all of you people, and my people together in this theme of oneness. Thank you.”
It is not clear when the video was filmed, but it may have been from his visit to a session of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok back in September. X users didn’t have anything complimentary to say about Seagal or his film back catalogue when they saw the clip.
One said: “Of course he’s proud to be Russian – it’s the only country still pretending his movies are good.”
Another spoofed: “Steven Seagal threatens to make new movies if US keeps arming Ukraine.”
When Seagal was presented with the Order of Friendship by Putin in 2023, the former actor claimed Ukraine was known for ‘organ trafficking, child sex trafficking and Nazism’, according to the Daily Mail.
In his documentary In The Name of Justice Seagal met captured nationalists from Ukraine’s Azov Brigade as he visited Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine.
Now aged 73, in the documentary he appeared to have been living it large, as he had ballooned from the lithe and musclebound figure of 90s action movies.
Throughout the 30-minute documentary Seagal’s big belly is noticeable, causing his untucked shirt to sag from his waist, pushed out by his hefty midriff.
A previous colleague of Seagal’s told the Mail that he had put on “at least 50 pounds,” mentioning also that Seagal would likely be enraged by his portrayal in this production.
“Seagal, as a rule, controlled the narrative hard when filming as he insisted on certain camera angles and nothing that accentuates his weight gain,” the source said.
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