Jean-Claude Van Damme
Full Name: Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg
Date of Birth: October 18, 1960
Place of Birth: Sint-Agatha-Berchem, Brussels, Belgium
Nationality: Belgian
Other Names: “The Muscles from Brussels”
Early Life
Jean-Claude Van Damme was born in the Brussels suburb of Sint-Agatha-Berchem, Belgium. His father Eugène Van Varenberg was an accountant and florist, and his mother Eliana Van Varenberg was a homemaker. He started martial arts training at age 10, initially learning Shotokan karate, in which he earned a black belt by the age of 18. He also studied ballet, which he has described as one of the most difficult disciplines. His athletic background also includes bodybuilding and kickboxing.
Martial Arts Background
- Karate Black Belt: 2nd Dan in Shotokan
- Kickboxing Record: 18 wins (18 knockouts) and 1 defeat
- He also trained in Taekwondo and Muay Thai.
Move to the United States
In the early 1980s, Van Damme moved to the United States to pursue a career in film. He worked various jobs while trying to break into Hollywood, including waiting tables, delivering pizzas, and driving limousines. His big break came when he impressed producer Menahem Golan with a demonstration of his martial arts skills.
Film Career
Jean-Claude Van Damme rose to fame in the late 1980s and 1990s with a string of successful martial arts action films. His signature style featured incredible flexibility, spinning kicks, and acrobatic fight scenes.
Notable Films:
- Bloodsport (1988) – The breakthrough role that made him a global star.
- Kickboxer (1989)
- Cyborg (1989)
- Lionheart (1990)
- Double Impact (1991)
- Universal Soldier (1992)
- Hard Target (1993)
- Timecop (1994) – One of his biggest box office successes.
- Street Fighter (1994)
- Sudden Death (1995)
- JCVD (2008) – Critically acclaimed for his dramatic performance as a fictionalized version of himself.
- The Expendables 2 (2012) – He played the main villain, Jean Vilain.
Personal Life
Jean-Claude Van Damme has been married five times to four women and has three children. His most enduring marriage has been with former bodybuilder Gladys Portugues, whom he remarried in 1999 after their initial divorce.
He has openly discussed his struggles with drug addiction in the 1990s and was diagnosed with rapid cycling bipolar disorder.
Legacy and Influence
Jean-Claude Van Damme is widely regarded as one of the most influential martial arts actors of all time. His contributions to action cinema, particularly martial arts films in the late 80s and 90s, made him a cultural icon. He is also known for his famous splits and philosophical reflections on life.
Fun Facts:
- Fluent in French, Dutch, English, Spanish, and some German.
- He once turned down the lead role in Predator (1987).
- He has appeared in commercials, video games, and animated series (including a cameo in Kung Fu Panda 2).