Helen Mirren has definitely earned a legion of fans throughout her more than 50-year career as an actress, and her commitment to ageing naturally has garnered her even more popularity.

Mirren started off in the entertainment industry as a theater actress, joining the Royal Shakespeare Company before making her debut on London’s West End in 1975.

Though, the now-78-year-old didn’t become a household name until later on in her life – she was 35 when she landed her breakout role as a gangster’s girlfriend in ‘The Long Good Friday’ (1980), opposite Bob Hoskins.

Having focused on her career for much of her adult life, finding the right partner and having children wasn’t on Mirren’s radar… Until she met her now-husband – US film director Taylor Hackford.

“I was 38 when I met Taylor, pretty late in life,” she stated in a 2016 AARP interview, recalling how the director had kept her waiting for an audition when they first met. When she eventually landed the part, the pair got to know each other and their relationship grew from there.

Eventually, Mirren and Hackford were able to bond over their similar working class upbringings (her mother was a working class woman whose own family came from a long line of butchers, while Mirren’s father was a Russian aristocrat who escaped to the UK during the Russian Revolution and became a cab driver to support his family).

The future spouses also bonded over their love for traveling, and apparently had a similar view on storytelling, both being in the entertainment industry.

Even though Hackford’s two children from previous marriages supported Mirren’s union with their father, this didn’t change her stance on becoming a mother herself. Though, she did explain that she found Hackford’s dedication to being the best parent to his children rather endearing.

The pair eventually married in 1997, after they came to the realization that they knew they would be together forever. At that point, they’d been together for over a decade.

Fast forward to 2008, and Mirren went viral for an image her husband snapped of her at the beach… Something that stunned fans and even the legendary actress herself!

The married couple had been on a romantic Italian beach vacation when they trekked to a secluded beach spot to take in the breathtaking views in private.

She recalled how she took a photo of her husband and then, in return, he snapped a quick pic of her. Though, Mirren said that the moment she sucked in her stomach when posing, she saw a small flash in the distance and crouched down on the rocks to hide from the apparent paparazzo.

When Mirren’s husband turned around, he couldn’t see the paparazzo, and said his wife was just being “paranoid”. Though, sure enough, the photo taken of Mirren in a red bikini was posted by a tabloid and went viral everywhere.

A few years later the actress told Ellen DeGeneres on the latter’s talk show that the image was just a fluke, saying: “I look at that picture and say, god, I wish I look like that. But I don’t.”

Years later, people are still stunned by the image of Mirren, who was 63 years old at the time it was taken – with many people on the internet commenting that they don’t look half as good as her despite being decades younger!

In 2014, the Oscar winner spoke about the image just before her 68th birthday, telling People: “The truth is I don’t really look that good, it was just a flattering picture.”

She added: “I am beyond the bikini-wearing age, really. I wouldn’t normally wear one. I look like a woman in her 60s. I’ve always looked awful in a bikini, even when I was young.”

Joan Van Ark rose to fame as Valene Ewing on Dallas, but foremost the spinoff series Knots Landing. The actress reprised her role in 2012 for one episode, and today, she’s happily married to her high school sweetheart with whom she’s had one daughter.

Van Ark has gotten older, but the 78-year-old is still going strong. This is all you need to know about Joan Van Ark’s life – and why she claims that the downfall of Knots Landing was all her fault.

Joan Van Ark was born on June 16, 1943, in New York City, New York, as one of four children of Dorothy Jean Van Ark and Carroll Van Ark. She and her family moved to Boulder, Colorado when she was 7 years old, and later in her career, the change of setting helped her plenty.

Joan Van Ark – early life & career

Even though her parents – with her mother working as a writer and her father in public relations – never worked in the film business, Van Ark knew from the start that she wanted to become an actress.

She told We Love Soaps that when the quarterback of her high school football team didn’t invite her to prom, Joan decided that she was to work in show business.

“That developed more in Boulder. I auditioned for a play at the Community Playhouse. The quarterback on the football team didn’t ask me to the prom, so I said, ‘Screw boys,’ and went and auditioned for a play,” Joan Van Ark recalled.

“I didn’t get the part I auditioned for but got the flower girl and the bug bit. I did a monologue as my audition, and you could hear a pin drop. They complimented me so much I said, ‘Who needs guys?’

While performing in Denver, Van Ark met actress Julie Harris while interviewing her for a local newspaper, and the actress persuaded her to study acting and drama at the Yale Drama School.

As a result, Van Ark became the youngest student ever to receive a scholarship to the well-respected school and the second woman ever to enroll. The first woman was Julie Harris, who helped Van Ark into the school.

“She wrote to the dean and asked him to meet me. Long story short, my parents drove me to New Haven, Connecticut, to meet the dean, who gave me a scholarship,” she recalled.” It was meant to be.”

Valene Ewing on ‘Dallas’ and ‘Knots Landing’

Van Ark began her professional career at the Minneapolis Guthrie Theater, where she starred in The Miser by Moliere. After working about a year at the Arena Stage in Washington DC, she moved down to work with the national touring company Barefoot in the Park in 1963, which led to her Broadway debut. In 1971, she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play after starring in The School for Wives.

At that point, Joan Van Ark had begun working in front of a screen rather than on stage. She appeared on television series including Temperature’s Rising, Spider-Woman, and Days of Our Lives and even in one episode of Bonanza.

Even though Joan Van Ark wasn’t short of jobs, she was still looking for her significant breakthrough role as the 1980s approached. In 1978, she made several appearances as Valene Ewing on Dallas – which led her to the role of a lifetime.

Knots Landing – a spinoff of Dallas – premiered in 1979, and Joan Van Ark reprised her role as Valene Ewing. She starred in 327 episodes – acting alongside Michele Lee as Karen and Ted Schakleford as Gary – and became a massive star.

Even though it was a spinoff of Dallas – about the rotten but wealthy Ewing Clan – it was initially brought to CBS years before.

However, the network wanted a “big rich family” show, and Dallas got picked as the one. But later on, Knots Landing became a massive success as the studio realized how big of a show Dallas had grown into, and after only one season, it rose into the top 20 in TV ratings.

How Joan Van Ark almost missed out on her biggest role

Knots Landing became the story of Gary Ewing and his wife Valene – played by Van Ark – and how they decided to start a new life in Knots Landing.

However, Van Ark almost missed out on the part of Valene Ewing. She explained that she had a “three-way clash” where she did The Love Boat simultaneously, as well as a commercial in New York.

In the end, it was her husband – John Marshall, who we will come back to in a minute – that persuaded her into choosing Dallas. And it was a significant – and important – decision.

“I got the call asking me to do a guest appearance in this show called Dallas, which was attracting a lot of buzz, but I said to my husband, ‘John, why should I even read this script? I can’t be in three places at once,’” she told Express. “Then he read it and said, ‘No, you’ve got to do it. It looks wonderful.’”

“So basically, he talked me into a schedule that had me in LA one day, then flying to Dallas for two days, followed by two days in New York and then back to Texas. But looking at this old cast photo from Knots Landing – the spinoff from Dallas – I’m so glad I listened to him,” she added.

Dallas and Knots Landing became a 15-year commitment for Van Ark, who became identified by her role. As earlier mentioned, she and Julie Harris had quite a history – and in 1980, they met again.

“I could stay forever on the show and be safe”

Harris was cast in Knots Landing as the mother of Van Arks’ character, and for the actress, it was almost too good to be true.

“When the producers told me they had finally last someone to play my mother, I held my breath,” she recalled in a 1984 interview with Florida Today.

“I thought, ‘Oh my God, are they going to say Phyllis Diller or Zsa Zsa Gabor, or who?’ Then they said it was Julie Harris, and I went right through the roof. I couldn’t believe they had picked her to be my mother. They didn’t even know we were friends.”

Joan Van Ark stayed for 13 seasons and 327 episodes on the show. Then in 1993, just one season after she left, Knots Landing was canceled. But the reason for Joan leaving wasn’t that she didn’t like it. Instead, it was all about her trying on new challenges.

“I could stay forever on the show and be safe,” Van Ark told the Los Angeles Times in 1992.

“But three years ago, I did Night of the Iguana in Williamstown (Mass.), and I had a quote from Tennessee Williams taped on my mirror, taken from an essay he’d written on success. It said, and I’m paraphrasing here: ‘Security is in the shape of a kidney-shaped pool in Los Angeles, where you sit waiting for your residual checks.’ I was in a comfortable spot on Knots, and an artist should not be comfortable.”

At the same time, the television series became a huge part of Van Ark’s life. So even though she felt comfortable leaving, it was a tough blow since she thought it would be easier.

Blamed herself for ‘Knots Landing’ cancelation

“I have loved more than life the 13 years I’ve had on that show,” she said. “[Knots Landing creator] David Jacobs is a great influence on my life, has taught me so much about so many things. Ted [Shackelford] is the other half of every breath I take on the show, and personally, he’s a large part of my heart. The people are my family–we have shared marriages, deaths, divorces. It’s far more difficult to leave than I thought.”

The show didn’t quite work without the great chemistry between characters Valen and Gary. In fact, Joan took the blame for the show being shut down.

“Well, it was my fault. I jumped over to NBC to do a pilot which did not sell,” she said. “I was so ready to go, after fourteen years with the one lady, so I auditioned for the pilot, and they cast me. It wasn’t as cleanly negotiated as it should have been. When the pilot didn’t sell, they asked me back, and I did do the four-hour finale of the show.”

Joan Van Ark left the soap opera business behind but continued to star in many television series. She had minor parts in television series, including Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and starred in some television movies. Between 2004 and 2005, Joan appeared as Gloria Fisher in 55 episodes of the hugely successful television drama The Young and The Restless.

Joan Van Ark – marriage, husband, children

It’s common for celebrities in Hollywood to marry other celebrities, and show-biz marriages don’t always last very long.

But that wasn’t the case for Joan Van Ark, who met the love of her life back in high school. She met her husband, John Marshall, while the two were students in Boulder. In 1966, the couple married on a military base in Germany.

“Believe me, it was nothing like the marriages [Valene Ewing] has gone through,” she told UPI.

In 1969, they welcomed daughter Vanessa Marshall, who also chose a career in entertainment. She became a well-known voice-over artist and actually gave up on her on-camera acting career. Instead, Vanessa Marshall has lent her voice to animated films, television series, and several video games.

John Marshall went on to become an Emmy newsman, working on KNBC-TV and NBC. He’s had a flourishing career just as his wife Joan, and while the couple was working hard to make it in their respective fields, Vanessa was growing up.

For Van Ark, becoming a mother while trying to navigate through the business was tough. And she gives credit to her husband, John, for keeping the family together during those stressful years.

“He is the reason we have the most wonderful daughter in the world and that the marriage has stayed strong,” Van Ark told The Leader-Post in 1988. “I feel I am the committed person who can’t give up time for this or that.”

“He did not want to miss watching Venessa grow up, and he did not want to miss me,” she added. “He knows correspondents live out of suitcases. John made career choices I didn’t agree with because if it had been me, I would have packed my bags, and I would have been waiving at the airport.”

Joan Van Ark – net worth

Besides her acting job, Joan Van Ark has a great interest in running. The 78-year-old has completed several marathons and explained she’s running instead of going to a psychologist. However, when it comes to her husband, she stated that she would never go on a run with him.

Why? Because “it’s the quickest way to a divorce that I know of. You’re always criticizing the other’s style,” Joan said.

In the last decade, Joan Van Ark has continued to work on stage in several productions for theater and starring in television series and movies such as Watercolor Postcards and Psycho Wedding Crasher. But she will always be most remembered for her magnificent spell on Dallas and Knots Landing.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Joan Van Ark has a net worth of around $10 million.

What do you think of Joan Van Ark and her performances in Dallas and Knots Landing? Give us your opinion in the comment section.

Meanwhile, share this article if you also would like to see more of Joan’s performances in the near future!

Malia Obama, daughter of former POTUS and FLOTUS Barack and Michelle Obama, is now a grown woman who is slowly forging a new path for herself – and she’s even decided to change her name.

The 25-year-old recently showcased her directorial debut, The Heart, at the Sundance Film Festival.

Born Malia Ann Obama on July 4, 1998, her middle name pays tribute to her paternal grandmother, who succumbed to ovarian cancer at 52 in 1995. Growing up in the limelight as the President’s daughter and graduating from Harvard, Malia opted to explore a career in screenwriting.

In her latest project, The Heart, where Malia assumes the roles of director and screenwriter, she adopted the pseudonym Malia Ann. Making a striking appearance on the festival’s red carpet earlier this year, Malia enjoyed the premiere of her movie.

Though, this venture into filmmaking isn’t Malia’s inaugural foray into the industry. In 2021, she contributed to the writing team for the series Swarm, which later streamed on Amazon Prime. With notable cast members such as Billie Eilish and Rory Culkin, Swarm marked a promising start to her professional journey.

“Some of her pitches were wild as hell, and they were just so good and so funny. She’s an incredible writer,” Swarm co-creator Janine Nabers told E! Online about Malia’s talent. “She brought a lot to the table… She’s really, really dedicated to her craft.”

Despite her prominent lineage, executive producer of Swarm Stephen Glover was quick to say that Malia was treated no differently from other members of the creative team.

“We can’t be easy on her just because she’s the [former] President’s daughter,” he admitted to Vanity Fair. “Nah, she’s very down to earth and cool. So, it’s not a problem at all.”

Proud parents Barack and Michelle Obama have openly expressed their pride in Malia, showering her with affectionate birthday wishes on her recent 25th birthday.

“Happy birthday to this talented, hilarious, and beautiful young woman,” Barack wrote on Instagram. “Malia, I hope 25 brings you everything you’re looking for and more.”

Michelle echoed her husband’s words, posting: “Happy birthday, Malia! I feel so lucky to be your mom and to be able to watch you become the wonderful young woman you are today. Love you so much! ”

From Malia Obama to Malia Ann, from the President’s daughter to a budding Hollywood screenwriter and director, it’s clear that there is a bright future ahead!

Fans of the hit show “Duck Dynasty” have long admired Jase Robertson and his wife Missy for their resilience in the face of their daughter Mia’s cleft lip and palate.

The couple has always been open about their struggles, but there was one part of their journey they kept hidden until recently.

In 2002, when Missy discovered she was expecting their second child, she was overjoyed. She already had two sons whom she loved dearly, but this news brought an added sense of excitement.

Sadly, their joy was short-lived as Missy miscarried between eight and ten weeks into the pregnancy. She had just enough time to let the news sink in and share it with loved ones before the heartbreaking loss.

The miscarriage was a painful experience for Missy, both physically and emotionally. She opened up about the mental anguish of knowing that she had to go through a procedure to remove what could have been their child.

Tubal pregnancy, as she experienced, occurs when the embryo implants in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus, making it a challenging situation for any expecting parent.

Despite the heartache, Jase and Missy found solace in the hope of a new pregnancy. Soon after their loss, they discovered that they were expecting again, and this time, it was a baby girl they named Mia.

However, the news was bittersweet because they knew that Mia would face her own challenges due to her congenital anomaly.

When Mia was born, Missy couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the difficulties they would face as a family. But Jase had a different perspective.

He realized that their daughter’s well-being was what truly mattered, and how she looked was insignificant in comparison. He shifted his focus to cherishing Mia’s life and providing her with the love and support she needed.

Throughout Mia’s young life, she has undergone multiple surgeries to manage her condition. Despite the physical and emotional toll, Mia has demonstrated incredible bravery and resilience. In a touching moment during the season five finale of “Duck Dynasty,” viewers witnessed Mia undergoing her fifth operation, surrounded by her loving family.

Mia’s unwavering faith has been a source of strength for her and her family. She believes that no matter how challenging life may get, God is always there, guiding them through it all. Her father reassured her that together, they could overcome any obstacle as long as they were alive.

Jase and Missy Robertson’s journey is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and faith. They have faced their fair share of challenges, but their unwavering determination to support their daughter has inspired many. Their story reminds us that even in the toughest of times, there is always hope and strength to be found.

Years after her split from pro-athlete Tom Brady, Bridget Moynahan is finally in a happy place when it comes to love.

Many of us will remember how, after two years together, Moynahan and Brady split – with Moynahan confirming shortly afterwards that she was three months pregnant with the couple’s child, who is now 16.

Sadly, Moynahan went through her first and only pregnancy as a single mother. Though, she’s managed to have a happy end to her story… Keep reading to find out more!

Journey as a single mother

Bridget Moynahan, 52, candidly shared her unexpected journey as a single mother in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar in 2008, confessing: “I never thought I would raise a child alone,” adding “and I want something equal to that in my life, as a partner, a lover, a friend.”

Finding out she was pregnant in the first place was not only a shock to the actress and former model, but it also presented a challenge for Moynahan, who says she believed in marriage before having children.

During the same Harper’s Bazaar interview, Moynahan said: “I’m a traditional girl, and I believe in marriage, and I always thought that’s the way I’d be doing this. For a moment, it was hard for me to accept that this was the way I was going to have a family.”

Relationship with Tom Brady

Moynahan’s relationship with former NFL star Tom Brady, which ended “amicably” in early December 2006, per People, took an unexpected turn when she discovered she was three months pregnant soon after their breakup.

Brady had moved on with supermodel Gisele Bündchen by then (whom he had reportedly met on a blind date the same month he split with Moynahan, according to WSJ Magazine) which only made the situation more complex.

Reflecting on the “traumatic” experience, Moynahan said that she was forced to go through a pregnancy and welcome a child amidst significant media attention, admitting: “I’m not sure anyone – and I could be wrong in this – grows up thinking, I want to be a single mom.”

While Moynahan was busy raising her son, Jack, Brady and Bündchen wed in February 2009, per Vogue France. Just 10 months later, they welcomed their first child, Benjamin. Then, they had a second child, Vivian, in December 2012. In 2022, after 13 years together, they unfortunately divorced.

Bündchen, in her memoir, acknowledged that the impending birth of Brady and Moynahan’s child was difficult for her as well, saying (via Us Weekly): “Two months into our relationship, Tom told me that his ex-girlfriend was pregnant. The very next day, the news was everywhere, and I felt my world got turned upside down.”

Eventually though, Moynahan found solace in her son, John “Jack” Edward Thomas, who was born in 2007.

Moynahan loves being a mom

Moynahan’s 2019 book, Our Shoes, Our Selves, detailed her struggles during that time, and she especially highlighting that she felt incredibly uncomfortable being in the public eye. “Having a baby should have been the most joyous time of my life, but instead, I felt assaulted,” she wrote.

Though, despite the challenges, she embraced motherhood, realizing it fulfilled her more than what her modeling and acting careers could.

Moynahan has expressed her love for being a mother numerous times, acknowledging the transformative impact it had on her life. “I have become that mother I used to dread. Every time he does something, you think he’s a genius. He’s a genius,” she gushed, per Harper’s Bazaar.

Meeting Andrew Frankel

Moynahan’s personal life took a positive turn when she met Andrew Frankel, 49, through mutual friends. The couple eventually got engaged in April 2015, and this resulted in a secret ceremony at Wolffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack, New York, in October that same year. The intimate reception celebrated their love, and instead of gifts, they encouraged donations to The Hole in Wall Gang Camp.

The actress reminisced about the dreamy wedding, expressing gratitude for the attention to detail in her dress and the overall celebration. Fans also celebrated Moynahan’s happiness at the time, acknowledging that she truly deserved her happily ever after following her journey from a public breakup to single motherhood.

Moynahan and Frankel’s blended family consists of his three sons from a previous relationship, creating a loving and supportive environment for Jack.

Despite the unexpected twists in her journey, Moynahan is thankful for the extended family her son has, telling More magazine (via Us Weekly): “My son has two loving parents and an extended family, whether it’s cousins or stepmothers or boyfriends. My son is surrounded by love.”

In sharing her story, it’s clear that Moynahan is someone who embodies resilience and embracing the unpredictability of life. She’s consistently demonstrated the strength of a mother determined to provide love and support for her child, and that’s certainly an admirable trait.

What do you think of Bridget Moynahan? Let us know in the comments!

Phoebe Cates appeared in many films, including Gremlins and Drop Dead Fred – but she’ll forever be remembered for her iconic, topless pool scene in 1982’s Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

But the former actress left Hollywood over 20 years ago – and now she works 9 to 5 with something that she loves.

Phoebe Belle Cates was born July 16, 1963, in New York City. As a young girl, she attended private schools and studied ballet at Julliard.

Phoebe was born with acting in her blood – her father, Joe Cates, was a producer-director, and her uncle was the president of the Director’s Guild. Her brother was an ex-actor and her sister, Valerie, also worked on stage.

While Phoebe initially pursued dancing in her younger years, she was derailed after a knee injury forced her to quit.

At 14, she began modeling instead and experienced a fair amount of success. For example, she appeared on the cover of Seventeen magazine four times. However, she felt no passion for the career and began to expand her horizons instead.

”It was just the same thing, over and over. After a while, I did it solely for the money,” Phoebe said, speaking of her short modeling career.

Eventually, she met her film agent at a party at New York’s Studio 54, and then she trained with Robert Ravan, founder of The Actors’ Circle in New York.

”I just knew that I didn’t want to go to college. And that it would be a great way getting out of college if I could get a couple of movies or something. Seriously. It’s true,” she told The Daily Item in 1985.

Cates also studied with Alice Spivack of the H.B. Studios and made her acting debut in 1982 as Sarah in Paradise. Not even a year later, she starred in the film Experienced and then the famous Fast Times at Ridgemont High with the legendary swimming pool scene.

The film, which was a teen hit, has contributed quite a lot to pop culture and is probably most known for one frame – which Rolling Stone magazine depicted as ”the most memorable bikini-drop in cinema history.”

As a friend of mine said; that scene made a lot of teenage boys’ hearts beat a lot faster than they should have…

In 1982, Phoebe gave her two cents on it.

”In this business, if a girl wants a career, she has to be willing to strip. If you’ve got a good body, then why not show it?,” she said.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High had a pretty impressive cast when you look at it today – it included now-stars like like Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Eric Stoltz, and Forest Whitaker

“Well, it was a funny thing because we were all so young when we made it. And then it came out and it was this big hit, you know, where you’d go to the theater and people would say the lines with it, and people had obviously seen the movie over and over again,” Jennifer Jason Leigh told The Daily News.

Later, while also working in theatre, Phoebe starred in Private School as Christine Ramsey in 1983 and co-starred in Steven Spielberg’s Gremlins in 1984. Phoebe met Kevin Kline, a critically acclaimed theater actor while auditioning for the 1983 film The Big Chill. While Cates did not get the role, she did gain an eventual husband.

Kline was 16 years older than Cates, but they did not start dating until two years after they first met. After Kline hired Cates’ former assistant, he asked the employee to help him to ask out the actress.

In 1989, Cates and Kline–25 and 41, respectively–married in New York City. Cates gave birth to their first child, Owen Joseph, in 1991. In 1994, she had their daughter, Greta Simone.

In 2017, as the couple celebrated an impressive 27 years of marriage, many wondered what kept them so happy and together for so long.

“We take care of the marriage,” Kline said.

Even though she was doing well at the time, Cates had decided to take a step away from acting after the two had their children. In the 1990s, she started to vanish from the entertainment industry.

In 1998, she explained to Playboy that both she and her husband had agreed to alternate acting jobs so that the children would never be without a parent.

Kline would add that Cates still would choose to stay home with the children when it was her turn to work. While Cates did some acting here and there, she began to be seen more at red-carpet events with her husband, who continued acting more consistently.

It was in 2005 that Cates opened Blue Tree not far from the famous Carnegie Hall. At the store, products like fragrances, clothing, and gifts could be purchased.

Cates devoted herself to becoming a full-time shopkeeper, typically working hands-on in the store or finding new products to sell. Today, you can find Phoebe’s store at 1283 Madison Avenue in New York City, it’s located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side where she also lives.

And just so you know; Phoebe still looks amazing!

What comes to mind when you think of Phoebe? I always thought that she was a pretty good actress, but my first two thoughts of her are usually the shower scene (in the cave) in “Paradise” and the bikini scene in “Fast Times At Ridgemont High.”

Steven Seagal has lived a very tumultuous life. Always on the move and living in different parts of the world, the well-known actor initially took a step into the world of showbiz through a leap of faith. Seagal has acted in some very high-grossing films and was once one of the biggest action stars around, only to fade into relative obscurity. So what happened? And what does he look like now? Here’s all you need to know about Steven Seagal! Steven Seagal became an adult very quickly, leaving his home country before his 18th birthday.

Since then, the 6ft 4 actor, musician, and cop(!) has done it all, becoming a film star as well as a martial arts master. But though it might seem like Seagal’s life has only been one of happiness and prosperity, he has endured several rough periods as well. Today, he might look pretty unfamiliar to you. Here’s all you need to know about Steven Seagal – and why he’s gone from the spotlight.

Shutterstock/ Bart Sherkow Steven Seagal was born on April 10, 1952, in Lansing, Michigan. His mother, Patricia, worked as a medical technician and his father, Samuel, was a high school mathematics teacher. Steven Seagal – early life At a young age, Seagal was very interested in music. He oftentimes listened to the blues, which would influence him all his life. “I got my first guitar when I was 12,” he explained. “The blues got into my blood, you know. I started to imitate them and tried to learn from them.” Not only was Seagal interested in the art of music, but he was also very interested in martial arts, and it was actually a lie that first took him down the path of karate. At the age of 5, his family moved to Fullerton, California.

Now, Steven Seagal had asthma and was very frail as a child.“He was a puny kid back then. But he really thrived after the move,” his mom told People of her son’s childhood.Seagal reportedly lied about his age to get a job as a dishwasher at a restaurant.

The chef, who knew karate, thought Seagal was very swift on his feet and decided to teach him. Following studies at the local high school, Seagal decided to leave the US at the age of 17. He moved to Japan in 1968 to teach English and further practice martial arts. Seagal became a devout student of martial arts, educating himself each day. He stayed in Japan for 15 years, and by the end of his stint had become a very well-respected figure in the field. Steven Seagal – martial arts Seagal steadily transformed into something of a celebrity, appearing in many martial arts magazines. Furthermore, he became the only Westerner at the time to operate his own dojo – a “school for training in various arts of self-defense” – in Japan.

Seagal perfected his martial arts and earned black belts in karate, judo, kendo, and aikido. In the beginning, however, Seagal had a tough time being a Westerner who had moved to Japan to learn martial arts. Seagal explained that many Westerners thought you just could pay someone to learn a few moves and then go back to America to teach what you’d learned. But it wasn’t that easy. “You have to understand that the way to enlightenment is through deprivation. They create an environment where you’re not getting any approval for all the work you’re putting in,” Seagal told the Los Angeles Times in 1986. “You’re not getting any sleep or love or attention, you’re getting your butt kicked and you’re up before anyone fixing meals and cleaning.”

“They push you to your limit and when you are so deprived and so hungry for everything, a little window opens up in your mind that when they do give you something you’re going to get it, understand it, appreciate it, and you’ll understand some of the mystical deeper meaning that starts to become available to you.”
Entering show business “The martial arts have to be an endeavor in which you’re trying to develop the physical man and perfect the spiritual self at the same time,” he added. “If that you’re doing is devoid of the spiritual essence, i’s nothing but street fighting.” Seagal stayed in Japan for 15 years before moving back to the US in 1984. He opened up his own dojo there alongside stuntman Craig Dunn.

At first, he was shocked by the fact that teachers in the US were teaching a “fast-food approach” to martial arts. He even criticized the films of legendary actor Chuck Norris because of his martial arts skills. Seagal decided to do something about it, and started teaching martial arts on his own. After a while, he decided to leave New Mexico for Los Angeles to pursue the dream of becoming an actor. Alongside a senior student, Haruo Matsouka, who he brought with him from Japan, Seagal opened up an Aikido dojo in West Hollywood. At the same time, he worked as a martial arts coordinator. The martial arts master worked on films such as The Challenge (1982), starring Scott Glenn, and the James Bond film Never Say Never Again (1983) with Sean Connery

Youtube/TunaTubeNever Say Never Again was the final Bond film starring Connery. But working with Steven Seagal on the film turned out to be quite a painful experience. Broke Sean Connery’s wrist Connery was reportedly a trained black belt in karate. But when the Bond actor got “a little cocky” with his moves, Seagal made it clear that it wasn’t OK.“We were going to do a film called Never Say Never Again and there was a possibility I was going to do Aikido and what have you,” Connery said while appearing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 1996.
“I got ahold of Steven and we had this training in the building where I had an apartment and he was really very, very good and everything. And I got a little cocky because I thought I knew what I was doing because the principle is its defense, so it’s a pyramid and I got a bit flash.”“I did that – and he broke my wrist,” Connery said, raising his hand to his face. He claimed that he never realized his wrist was broken until years later. At this time, Seagal worked on films, but was never in them himself. Instead, he decided to become a bodyguard to different celebrities. One of them was Kelly LeBrock, who would go on to become his future wife.

Shutterstock/ Bart Sherkow Seagal also worked as a bodyguard for Hollywood agent Michael Ovitz. He would become another very important person in Seagal’s life. Steven Seagal – biggest movies Ovitz – a big martial arts fan – was impressed with Seagal’s martial arts abilities and thought he would be great on-screen. He decided to personally pay for Seagal’s screen test with Warner Bros – and the executives were very impressed. On a deserted studio sound stage, Seagal displayed his aikido master skills. The studio heads could hardly believe what they were seeing.
“The demonstration was quite miraculous,” Warner Bros. President Terry Semel told the Los Angeles Times in 1988. “With just a toss of his hand, Steven would send the other guy flying. I’m no martial-arts expert, but he had the ability to knock these guys up in the air so effortlessly–well, it was pretty astounding.” They thereafter signed Segal to his first film Above the Law. “Michael has been one of Steven’s major supporters,” Semel explained. “He went far beyond the role of just being Steven’s agent. In fact, with the type of superstar client list Michael has, you wouldn’t normally see him work so closely with a first-time actor.

Flickr / Gage Skidmore“But he really believes Steven can be a star. Michael knew Steven from the world of martial arts, where Steven is apparently something of a celebrity.“ So Michael has really gotten involved. He’d constantly say to me, ‘Think of this guy. Think of this guy.’”“ Michael and I are very close–we love each other,” Seagal said. “I’m like a guru to him.”
What is Steven Seagal doing today? Steven Seagal turned into a well-recognized action film star overnight. In the 1990s, he starred in films such as Under Siege (1992) and Under Seige 2 (1995), playing the role of the Navy Seals counter-terrorist expert Casey Ryback. The film grossed $160 million worldwide and made Steven Seagal an international star. He also went on to direct the 1993 film Deadly Ground, featuring legendary actor Michael Caine. However, the movie failed miserably, losing an estimated $50 million. To date, Steven Seagal has worked on more than 50 productions as an actor. Despite that, he’s never really cracked the top shelf of the Hollywood celebrity list.
So what is he doing today? Well, it turns out that he isn’t living in the US anymore – but in Russia. According to News24, the US government is trying to collect $200,000 which the actor owes for “failing to disclose he was being paid to promote a digital token.” According to The Sun, Segal was granted Russian citizenship in November 2016. Two years later, the Russian foreign ministry gave him a job titled “special representative for Russian-US humanitarian ties”. The position is reportedly unpaid. Of course, Seagal is hardly short on money – his net worth is around $16 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

Shutterstock/Markus Wissmann
Through his Instagram page, Seagal posts plenty of pictures of himself. And he sure doesn’t look the same as he did 20 years ago! Steven Seagal: Family, wife, children He’s lived a long and productive life, but Seagal hasn’t only been focusing on his career. His time as a professional in the spotlight has been tumultuous in many ways, but his private life hasn’t been a steady and calm road either. In 1975, Seagal married aikido master Miyako Fujitani. The two welcomed son Kentaro and daughter Ayake before getting a divorce in 1986.

Shutterstock/Markus WissmannHe moved on to have a three-year relationship with Adrienne LaRussa, and then married Kelly LeBrock 1987. The couple had daughters Annaliza and Arissa, as well as a son, Dominic. They divorced in 1996, but while married, Seagal had an affair with his children’s nanny, Arissa Wolf. They went on to have a daughter together named Savannah. When Seagal decided to leave Japan to move back to the US, it appears that he lost all contact with his children.
In an interview with Radar Online, Segal’s eldest son Kentaro revealed that he doesn’t speak to his father anymore and Segal hasn’t reached out to him. In fact, Kentaro explained that he doesn’t “even know” his father.

Actor Steven Seagal is seen in attendance during the UFC 280 event at Etihad Arena on October 22, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)Steven Seagal has pretty much done it all through working as a martial arts coordinator, actor, and bodyguard. And even though he’s become older and looks differently today, he still is the same old Steven!

The Enigmatic Life of Agnetha Faltskog: ABBA’s Iconic VoiceABBA, renowned as one of the world’s most legendary bands, continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Amidst the quartet’s fame, Agnetha Faltskog, one of the group’s members, has consciously chosen a life away from the public eye. Faltskog, known for her captivating voice alongside Anni-Frid Lyngstad, remains an enigmatic figure who contributed immensely to ABBA’s musical legacy.

Agnetha Faltskog’s contribution to ABBA cannot be overstated. As one of the primary vocalists, her remarkable pop voice resonated with listeners, compelling them to dance to the infectious beats of some songs and feel the depth of emotion in others. Beyond the music, she emerged as an iconic figure who left an indelible mark on the music industry.

“I feel proud of what we did and what we achieved, and I know that our music means a lot to people… But for me, the past is over and done with. That’s what I have to say about it.” – Agnetha FaltskogChoosing a Path Away from the SpotlightHowever, Agnetha Faltskog’s journey took an intriguing turn as she deliberately stepped away from the limelight. Unlike her fellow band members who continued to be engaged in public life, Faltskog chose a more private existence. This decision was influenced by various factors, including a desire for a life beyond the constant glare of fame.

“I like to feel comfortable. I don’t like publicity so much. I had quite enough of that.” – Agnetha FaltskogLife Beyond ABBAAs ABBA’s popularity soared, Faltskog’s curiosity about life beyond the band intensified. After the group disbanded in 1983, she embarked on a solo career but soon found herself yearning for a life away from the pressures of the music industry. Her focus shifted to personal passions and pursuits that allowed her to embrace a quieter, more fulfilling existence.

“I’m more comfortable singing than being the person in the spotlight. I’ve always been that way.” – Agnetha FaltskogAn Enigmatic FigureThroughout the years, Faltskog has maintained her status as an enigmatic figure, seldom appearing in public and rarely granting interviews. Her choice to withdraw from the spotlight has fueled curiosity about her life and experiences post-ABBA. Fans continue to hold her in high regard and respect her decision to prioritize her well-being and personal fulfillment.

“I think it’s important to live life with a knowledge of where you’re going and who you are. To know where you’re heading. I just want to be left alone.” – Agnetha FaltskogA Legacy of Musical BrillianceWhile Agnetha Faltskog’s public appearances may be infrequent, her musical brilliance and impact endure. Her voice, which once graced ABBA’s iconic songs, remains etched in the memories of countless fans. Her decision to step away from the spotlight has not diminished the significance of her contributions to music and culture.

“I want to live a normal life, drive a normal car, go shopping, and have a private life with friends and family.” – Agnetha FaltskogThe Unseen JourneyAgnetha Faltskog’s journey beyond ABBA’s stage remains largely unseen. While the spotlight may no longer shine on her, her legacy endures through the music she created and the impact she made. Her choice to prioritize a life of fulfillment and tranquility serves as a reminder that true success is defined by one’s own contentment, away from the expectations of fame.
As we respect Agnetha Faltskog’s chosen path, we celebrate the remarkable artist and individual she is, honoring her journey and the enduring mark she has left on the world.

Ever wondered what happens when fame and fortune collide with personal struggles? This is exactly how many fans now view Kris Kristofferson. let’s take a look at the Life and Sad Ending of Kris Kristofferson.

The legendary singer-songwriter, actor, and poet, Kris Kristofferson is renowned for his raw talent, rugged charm, and soul-stirring lyrics, but his journey is a fascinating blend of triumphs and tragedies.

Keep watching as we delve into the highs and lows of Kris Kristofferson’s life, and uncover his sad ending, showcasing how he ended up.

In a surprising twist in the entertainment world, actor Jim Caviezel is making headlines for saying no to working with the well-known Robert De Niro. He’s calling De Niro “awful” and “ungodly.” This news is causing a stir in Hollywood, making people talk about how personal beliefs and work in the film industry mix. This article digs into why Caviezel made this bold choice, what led to him not wanting to work with De Niro, and what this means for the film industry when actors publicly make such strong statements.

Jim Caviezel, famous for playing Jesus in “The Passion of the Christ,” is known for sticking to his Christian beliefs and taking on roles that match his morals. On the flip side, Robert De Niro, a big name in the industry, is known for his many roles and for speaking out on different social and political issues. Caviezel’s decision not to work with De Niro is highlighting the clash between personal values and the teamwork aspect of making movies.

Jim Caviezel made this announcement during a recent interview when he was asked if he’d work with Robert De Niro. He was very clear, saying, “I won’t work with Robert De Niro. He’s an awful, ungodly man.” The strong words immediately got the attention of the media and fans, making people wonder what might be going on between the two actors.

In the interview, Caviezel didn’t go into details, but it’s clear that his decision is based on a big difference in their values. Since Caviezel is known for being openly Christian and choosing roles that match his moral beliefs, it seems like he sees a clash with De Niro’s public image or things he’s done in the past. Because Caviezel didn’t get into specifics, people are guessing and getting more curious about what exactly is happening between them.

Sometimes, actors saying things publicly can either help or hurt their careers in the entertainment world. Jim Caviezel not wanting to work with Robert De Niro might get support from people who think like him and respect his commitment to his beliefs. But it also makes us wonder how this decision could affect his future work and what industry professionals might think about such public statements.

Jim Caviezel is well-known for being deeply Christian, and this has been a big part of how people see him. His role in “The Passion of the Christ” made him stand out as an actor who isn’t afraid to take on roles that match his spiritual beliefs. The disagreement with De Niro shows how tough it can be for actors who want to stick to their values in an industry known for being tricky and having moral uncertainties.

Looking beyond just these two actors, Caviezel saying no to working with De Niro makes us think about what it means for Hollywood and the entertainment business as a whole. This incident shows the ongoing struggle between personal beliefs and how moviemaking is a team effort. As actors start using their voices more to talk about what matters to them, the industry might see a change, with more people choosing to stand up for what they believe in.

Jim Caviezel deciding not to work with Robert De Niro because of moral reasons has sparked a conversation about how personal beliefs and professional work mix in Hollywood. This situation highlights the changing world of an industry where actors, driven by their principles, are making public statements that reflect their beliefs.

As the entertainment world deals with these challenges, the clash between Caviezel and De Niro reminds us of the tricky balance between personal values and the teamwork that defines making movies.