Steven Seagal » Quotes

(on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the Philippines) I've never met her, but my impression of her is that she's very straight, sincere, honest, really talented president, and I hope she gets re-elected.

The secret is not to act, but to be.

False FBI accusations fueled thousands of articles saying that I terrorize journalists and associate with the Mafia . . . these kinds of inflammatory allegations scare studio heads and independent producers -- and kill careers.

(on what he thinks are the most important lessons that one should strive to live by in Aikido) Try to find the path of least resistance and use it without harming others. Live with integrity and morality, not only with people but with all beings.

I am hoping that I can be known as a great writer and actor some day, rather than a sex symbol.

(on his feelings regarding past movies) Hollywood is a mercurial place where people are sort of . . . a victim of their environment and how the environment changes. Movies that would be timely now, ten years from now would be passé and nobody would be interested in the subjects. All the movies that I have done I have not been in control of. Sometimes there is a contractual situation where you go to the studio and they kind of tell you which ones they want you to do. Be that as it may, I have also been lucky in the sense that I have been able to make environmentally conscientious movies as well as politically conscientious movies. Above the Law (1988) was a politically conscientious movie. On Deadly Ground (1994) was environmentally conscientious, so I want to keep making movies like that which are more geared with a certain entertainment value but also bring people forward into contemplation.

(on actors who become political leaders) (Ronald Reagan) was a pretty good one, but I think it really depends on the situation.

Action films are great, but an action film that has characters that are compelling and a story that people can care about is something even better. We love to see action heroes that are vulnerable, that are sensitive, that are family people, that are accessible.