Unforgettable: When Seagal Tried to Evict Lemmon and Matthau

Key Takeaways:

– Actor Steven Seagal has a reputation for being difficult according to the book, “The Last Action Heroes.”
– Seagal once disrupted a script reading by actors Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, claiming the room belonged to him.
– Steven Seagal’s early action films are considered classics, but many believe his career declined due to his ego.
– Seagal has not made a movie since 2019, and his connections to political figures have polarized fans.

Now let’s dive into the full story!

You’ve probably heard about some legendary action heroes, but have you ever come across a book that captures the essence of these stars? If not, then Nick De Semlyen’s “The Last Action Heroes” is a must-read! It takes a close look at the icons of the 80s and 90s action scenes. All our favorites are there, except the famous pony-tailed action hero, Steven Seagal, who doesn’t quite receive an endearing portrayal in this book.

Let’s spill the most surprising tea from the book: Steven Seagal once got really mad because his desired meeting room was occupied by none other than the extraordinary duo, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. Around that time, these acting maestros were in their sixties, working on their laugh-out-loud comedy, Grumpy Old Men.

Believe it or not! Amidst laughter and light-hearted vibes, the room’s ambiance was disturbed by a thunderous pounding on the door. Guess who made the ruckus? Steven Seagal himself! He confronted Daniel Petrie, the director, asking sternly why the room was being used. Despite knowing that the legendary Lemmon and Matthau were rehearsing, Seagal’s response was that he didn’t care; he needed the room. This incident painted a vivid picture of Seagal’s erratic personality.

It’s amusing picturing how Lemmon and Matthau would have reacted to Seagal’s outburst, but it also highlights a sad reality. Despite all his controversies, no one can deny that Seagal’s early action films, including Above the Law, Hard to Kill, Marked for Death, Out for Justice, and Under Siege, were absolute classics. Sadly, Seagal’s hubris gradually overshadowed his craft and dented his megastar image.

Despite these incidents, Seagal made a significant contribution to the action movie genre. But his career took a downfall, with many attributing his ego as the prime reason. Ironically, his ego-driven attitude was most visible in a humorous incident during the premiere of On Deadly Ground, where he reacted unusually to a backhanded compliment from Michael Caine.

Looking at Seagal’s career graph now, it’s evident that his acting days are behind him. His last feature was Beyond the Law in 2019. Although IMDB lists a few upcoming projects, given Seagal’s controversial connection to Vladimir Putin following Ukraine’s invasion, it is unlikely that these films will reach a broad audience base. His last memorable performance hailed from the box office hit, Exit Wounds, though he also played a memorable villain in Machete.

Summing it up, Steven Seagal has had one rollercoaster of a career—from his early glory to his later decline. Stories from behind the scenes, like the one with Lemmon and Matthau, offer fascinating glimpses into the less-seen side of our action heroes. Here’s hoping that stories like these continue to inspire and entertain audiences, reminding us of the film industry’s human aspects.