Steven Seagal was once a major Hollywood action star. Today, his life looks very different. A recent documentary filmed in Russia shows the 72-year-old has gained significant weight, far from the athletic image that defined his films in the 1990s.
Seagal left the United States after receiving Russian citizenship in 2016. Since then, he has stepped away from Hollywood and keeps a low public profile. For years, he shared only tightly framed photos online, avoiding full images of himself.
In October, Seagal appeared in a Russian-made documentary about the war in Ukraine. The film supports a pro-Russia narrative and shows him visiting Russian-controlled areas. The footage revealed his changed appearance and marked one of his most visible public moments in recent years.
Seagal has openly praised Vladimir Putin and was appointed Russia’s special representative for U.S.–Russia cultural relations in 2018. He has received state honors and often echoes Kremlin views on the conflict.
Once known for box-office hits and martial arts roles, Seagal is now better known for controversy. His move to Russia, political loyalty, and physical transformation highlight how far his life has shifted from Hollywood fame to a quiet but highly political role abroad.