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Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg (born 18 October 1960), commonly known as Jean-Claude Van Damme, is a famous actor, martial artist, film producer and fight choreographer from Belgium.
He starred in films that inspired countless martial artists around the world. He popularized and used Muay Thai or kickboxing styles in his films long before they had a place in the martial arts world. Despite the modest budgets of these films, films like “King of Fighters” and “Blood Spot” have earned millions of dollars at the box office around the world. They have undoubtedly inspired a generation of actors and martial artists.
Many of his friends and supporters found it hard to understand how a skinny young man could become a martial arts star in Hollywood and eventually become known as the “Muscle of Brussels.” The Belgian superstar, Jean-Claude Van Damme, trained in martial arts as a child and later found a job as a nightclub bouncer.
Here he got his first acting gig, starring in the hitchhiking film Missing in Action, which became his ticket to Hollywood. He immediately began signing more film contracts, but despite his soaring fame, his early contracts and commitments to several low-budget films slowed his rise in Hollywood.
Many martial arts performers and enthusiasts have tried to imitate his signature 360-degree jumping karate kick.
Belgian actor
Jean-Claude Van Damme |
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 Jean-Claude Van Damme: History, Life, Photos |
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| Wiki facts and figures | |
| full name: | Jean-Claude Camille Francois Van Varenberg |
| stage name: | Jean-Claude Van Damme |
| date of birth: | October 18, 1960 (age 63) |
| place of birth: | Sint-Agatha-Berchem, Belgium |
| Country of Citizenship: | Belgian |
| high: | 1.77 m |
| parents: | Alianna Van Valenberg, Eugene Van Valenberg |
| brothers and sisters: | Veronique Van Valenberg |
| Wife • Spouse: | Darcy LaPierre (m. 1994-1997), Gladys Portugus (m. 1987), Cynthia DeDean (m. 1985-1986), Maria Rodriguez (m. 1980-1984) |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | Alina Kavelina (2009-2016), Savannah Samson (1998), Kylie Minogue (1994), Luciana Jimenez |
| children: | Bianca Brie, Christopher Van Valenberg, Nicholas Van Valenberg |
| Profession: | Actor • Film producer |
| net worth: | $40 million |
early life
Jean-Claude Van Damme was born to Eugene and Eliana Van Varenberg in Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Brussels, Belgium. He has a younger sister named Veronique Van Varenberg.
He was an extremely skinny child, and in order to build up muscle, he began practicing Shotokan Karate at the age of 11. Claude Goetz took him to the National Karate Center to teach him.
As a teenager, he also took up ballet and weightlifting. At the age of fifteen or sixteen, Jean-Claude Van Damme took part in karate competitions and won the European Professional Karate Association’s middleweight championship. He also won a bodybuilding competition and was awarded the title of “Mr. Belgium”.
Profession
In Brussels, Van Damme opened his own gym and found some modeling work, but he was drawn to the prospect of becoming a movie star. During this time, he briefly worked as a bouncer at a nightclub. He competed in several tournaments and semi-contact bouts before debuting in full-contact professional karate in 1977. From 1977 to 1982, when Sherman Bergman knocked him out, he compiled an impressive record of 18 wins and 1 loss.
After a brief foray into the lucrative Hong Kong martial arts film industry, Jean-Claude Van Damme moved to Los Angeles in 1982 to pursue his Hollywood dreams. He starred in the film Breakdance with his childhood friend (who also played an extra).
He played Ivan Krushinsky in the 1986 film No Backdown, No Surrender. 1987 was the actor’s best year, which helped him to make a breakthrough in Hollywood. His desire to combine acting and martial arts came true when he played the role of Frank Dukes in the film Bloodsport.
Jean-Claude Van Damme played a secret agent in the 1988 TV series War and Memories. In the same year, he had a supporting role in the film Black Hawk. During this period, he signed a number of low-budget film contracts and starred in the 1989 films Cyborg and King of Fighters, the latter of which was more commercially successful.
Between 1990 and 1993, he acted in many films, including Death Warrant, Lionheart, Double Impact, Universal Soldier, The Phantom Hero, No Escape, and The Destination. In addition, Jean-Claude Van Damme served as a producer on Double Impact and choreographed the battle scenes in Lionheart.
In 1994, he played a time-traveling policeman in the critically acclaimed film, Time Cop. The film is considered to be the actor’s highest-grossing film. After the popularity of Time Cop, many of his films began to flop at the box office.
Between 1995 and 1999, Jean-Claude Van Damme starred in a string of box-office failures, including Sudden Death, The Discovery, Extreme Risk, Double Agents, The Bionic Man, and Universal Soldier: Return.
He took a break from film acting. However, he did appear in Bob Sinclair’s music video “Kiss My Eyes” in 2003. The following year, he was chosen to appear as himself in the Las Vegas series. He returned to mainstream film in 2008 with the successful film “JCVD” which had a limited theatrical release.
Critics praised his performance in the film, describing it as second only to Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight. Jean-Claude Van Damme reprised his role as Luc Devereux in the 2009 film Universal Soldier: Rebirth. That same year, he also appeared in an episode of the television show Robot Chicken.
In 2011, he voiced the character of Master Crocodile in the hit game.
Awards and Achievements
- Jean-Claude Van Damme is a black belt in Shotokan Karate.
- During his professional kickboxing career, he won 18 fights; during his amateur career, he won a total of 44 fights.
- On October 21, 2012, he received his own lifelong statue in Brussels.
personal life
In 1980, Jean-Claude Van Damme married Maria Rodriguez, but they divorced four years later. In 1985, he married Cynthia Derderian, but they later divorced.
In 1987, Jean-Claude Van Damme married Gladys Portugues, and the couple divorced in 1992. He was married to American actress and model Darcy LaPier from 1994 to 1997. After his separation from Darcy LaPier, he remarried Gladys Potuges, and the two currently live together.
Jean-Claude Van Damme’s wives include Darcey LaPierre (1994-1997), Gladys Portugs (1987), Cynthia Deldean (1985-1986) and Maria Rodriguez (1980-1984). He has dated celebrities including Alaina Caverina (2009-2016), Savannah Samson (1998), Kylie Minogue (1994) and Luciana Jimenez.
His three children are Bianca Bree, Kristopher Van Varenberg and Nicholas Van Varenberg. The famous martial artist and Hollywood star was treated for substance abuse.
Filmography
- Trails of the Eagles(2010)
- Bloodsport (1988)
- Wolf and Wolf (1979)
- JCVD (2008)
- Taekwondo Fighter (1989)
- The Expendables 2 (2012)
- Hard Target (1993)
- Sinafu (2006)
- Universal Soldier(1992)
- Inferno (2003)
net worth
Retired martial artist and actor Jean-Claude Van Damme, commonly known as JCVD, is from Belgium and has a fortune of $40 million.
social media
- Instagram: @JVCD
- Facebook: @JVCD
- Twitter: @JVCD
