Charlize Theron criticized Steven Seagal’s martial arts abilities and his past behavior toward women during an appearance on The Howard Stern Show, calling his skills nonexistent. According to the Academy Award-winning actress, internet videos showing the 1990s action star in Japan reveal a performer who relies on pushing people around rather than executing genuine combat.
Charlize Theron Calls Out Steven Seagal’s Fight Skills
During her interview with Howard Stern, Charlize Theron detailed her habit of watching fight scenes online. She specifically singled out archival footage of Steven Seagal. “Nachts schaue ich mir oft Kämpfe oder Kampfszenen im Internet an, und dabei stößt man immer auf dieses seltsame Video von Steven Seagal, wie er in Japan kämpft – aber eigentlich kämpft er gar nicht,” Theron stated during the broadcast, describing him as overweight and noting that he simply shoves people around.
Theron defended her blunt assessment by pointing to Seagal’s treatment of women over the decades. “Ich habe kein Problem damit, über ihn herzuziehen, denn er ist nicht gerade nett zu Frauen,” she told Stern, adding an explicit dismissal directed at the actor.
Career Trajectory and Public Controversy
Steven Seagal achieved success in the 1990s through action thrillers like Under Siege (Alarmstufe: Rot), but his Hollywood career declined sharply by the early 2000s. Aside from a supporting role in Robert Rodriguez’s 2010 B-Movie-Hommage Machete, Seagal has primarily starred in low-budget, direct-to-video action releases. In recent years, public attention has focused more heavily on his association with Vladimir Putin and various off-screen controversies than on his filmography.
In contrast, Theron has built a three-decade career spanning drama, where she won an Oscar for Monster, and action blockbusters. Her action credentials include leading roles in Mad Max: Fury Road, Atomic Blonde, The Old Guard, and three installments of the Fast & Furious franchise, alongside her recent performance in the Netflix thriller Apex.
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