Action Hero Steven Seagal Now a Russian Citizen Appearing in Commercials

One-time movie action hero Steven Seagal, whose career faltered in the U.S., is finding new life as a Russian citizen.

Heatstreet reports Seagal, 64, received his Russian passport last week — with President Vladimir Putin personally presenting it to him, and the website notes he was already starring in a new commercial by the end of the week plugging Megafon, Russian's biggest phone provider.

The commercial, which aired on national TV in Russia, shows Seagal on a snowy street. Heatstreet notes the actor is wearing a "fur coat and a traditional Russian fur hat with earflaps."

In the ad, Seagal is confronted by a gang of thugs, but he takes out his phone, which translates his English threat to them in Russian.

"Tender snow crunches under the feet…like the bones of my enemies," he says into the phone. "What is it you want, friends?"

After hearing the Russian translation, one of the thugs says: "Guys, he is one of ours."

The commercial ends with Seagal wishing viewers a happy holiday — in Russian.

The New York Times reported the Kremlin announced on Nov. 3 that Seagal had received his Russian citizenship. But the newspaper noted it was unclear why he sought it to begin with.

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