In this yet latest spin of celeb reality TV, B-list actor Steven Seagal shows off his license to kick butt as a Jefferson Parrish (JP) Louisiana officer. You'll get to see the martial arts master-"Under Siege," "Born to Raise Hell" and "Out for Justice" at his finest in his new series, "Steven Seagal: Lawman," which premiered yesterday on A&E and was the most-watched original series show for the network, averaging a record-breaking 3.5 million viewers, according to TVbythenumbers.com.
Over the last 20 years, mum has been the word regarding Seagal's part-time, unpaid job as a reserve deputy officer in the Jefferson Parrish Sheriff's office. The hefty action hero has not only helped to train fellow officers but is a marksman extraordinaire who has lent his expertise to the JP SWAT team. There are no scripts that are used in the filming of "Lawman," so whatcha see is whatcha get, real and raw.
Why has Seagal kept his double life such a secret and chosen not to make it fodder for the press all these years? According to A&E press notes:
"I've been working as an officer in Jefferson Parish for two decades under most people's radar. I've decided to work with A&E on this series now, because I believe it's important to show the nation all the positive work being accomplished here in Louisiana - to see the passion and commitment that comes from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office in this post-Katrina environment."
Seagal's motives for allowing the cameras to roll are pretty admirable. He hopes that some viewers will be so motivated by the work being done by law enforcement officers in JP that they'll join the ranks. After Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana lost many police officers, and Seagal sees his show as a kind of recruitment move.
But say it ain't so! Has the '90s invincible crime stopper called it quits as far as acting? Nah! Seagal just completed a Robert Rodriguez film, "Machete," with co-stars Robert DeNiro, Jessica Alba and Michelle Rodriguez, which will hit theatres in 2010.
Comments: (12)
Add a comment
By: Stephanie on 1/08/2010 5:41AM
I just would like to send an email to Steven Seagal to let him know I appreicated the other half of what he done in his life. It gave me the strength and a wake up call.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: laurel kalinosky on 1/28/2010 6:03PM
hi steven.I have some of your moives like hard to kill, out for justice, the foreigner,the patriot,and marked for death, and the glimmerman,fire down below, under siege. I also watch your new show the lawman. I would like to know how to stop tailgating because I hate people getting to close to my van please e-mail me back.thank you for all of your moives.laurel kalinosky
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Dave on 1/14/2010 11:11AM
Steven Seagal is an unpaid, volunteer, reserve deputy. That means that he is NOT a commissioned or certified police officer. He can only assist real full-time police officers in their daily duties. He cannot act on his own, he has to be with a full-time police officer or be within radio contact of a full-time police officer. I still don't understand why he has the rank of Deputy Chief as a reserve deputy because he doesn't actually work for the Sheriff's Office, he is a volunteer.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Mark on 2/23/2010 11:24AM
I have to disagree with you on your statements about Reserve Officers. A Reserve Officer CAN act on his own accord so long as he is on duty at the time. According to most Reserve programs that I have been exposed to, so long as the officer has completed his academy training and is out of his probation period, he is considered a sworn officer whenever he is on the schedule and on the road. He can also operate as a solo officer in a marked car when he/she is on duty.
I hope this clears up some of your misconceptions about the Reserves.
Report This
By: grant m. on 1/14/2010 6:22PM
hello i watch your show some, and like it neat show. i have some screenplays for sell can u help me sell one?? thanks grant
479-209-2742
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Ray Perry on 1/14/2010 2:19PM
Just wanted to give the Sherrif department a congradulations on the show, as a 34 year retired police officer I can see it's a real life situation done with heart and conpassion, kept up the good work guys!!!! God bless and keep you all safe.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Sgt. John J. Bender on 1/17/2010 4:03PM
I was extremely pleased to view the show and very unaware that Mr. Segal was infact a Sheriff. I too, am and have been in law enforcement since the military. I have served our country proudly since 1989 and will continue to serve until the day that I die. God speed to all and keep kick'in ass and taking names Steven.. John
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: sheila o'brien on 1/19/2010 5:53PM
hello steven. i have seen some of your movies two of them spring to mind. the patriot and out for justice. i think that you are a brillint actor and now lawman its great to see some thing new on t.v for a change is it possible to become a chat friend i chat to quit a few native people becouse i like there culture and the history good luck to the sherrif's office good bless you all
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Ms. Woulard on 1/28/2010 12:30AM
Hi Mr. Steven Seagel. My name is Ms. Woulard. I love your movies and I enjoy watching your lawman show. I admire the way you and your team show so much concern with children and all the volunteer work that you do for them. I really admire the martial arts program in New Orleans that you went to be a part of. I saw that on one of your shows. If at all possible, I would like for you and your team to come to my store one day. I think it would be good for the community. Well, this is one of my thoughts so I had to write. Please feel free to email back. Thanks, a forever fan! Baton Rouge, LA
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: jo on 1/28/2010 12:01AM
Sorry guys, this all seems like a farce to me. I mean really, Mr Seagal is an actor with a backgroung in martials, and music. He is a celebrity. I honestly dont beleive that this man has SERVED for the passed two decades. I mean where would he have the time. I am currently a soldier in the army and it is my life. There is no way he would have time to do all the training, and live the lifestyle these are jobs that require full family support were you can at times be away from your "life at home" to be a service member for extremely long periods of time. Its unfortunate but I believe that Mr Segal's career as an actor is plummited and this is a sad attempt to rebuild your acting career and get your face on tv again. I truely dont think you have been with the sheriff's office as an officer for 20 years. Shame, you portry to be there to help people and to serve and protect the community while you are only really there for yourself. Just a simple publisity stunt to get you some more money. Please leave this job to the professionals. The ones that have so much dedication and love for this job that they would do it for free. Why don't you do that? do this show for free and prove you are in this for the right reason cause right now there is a lot of people that think you are just in it strictly for your self and not to help anyone.
signed, Notimpressed
Reply to this Comment | Report This