Jean-Claude Van Damme

Jean-Claude Van Damme

Known for: Acting
Biography: 1960-10-18 (63 years old)

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Biography

Van Damme was born Jean-Claude Camille François van Varenberg in Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Brussels, Belgium, to Eliana and Eugène van Varenberg, an accountant. “The Muscles from Brussels” started martial arts at the age of eleven. His father introduced him to martial arts when he saw his son was physically weak. At the age of 12, van Damme began his martial arts training at Centre National De Karate (National Center of Karate) under the guidance of Master Claude Goetz in Ixelles, Belgium. Van Damme trained for 4 years and earned a spot on the Belgium Karate Team. He won the European professional karate association's middleweight championship as a teenager, and also beat the 2nd best karate fighter in the world. His goal was to be number one but got sidetracked when he left his hometown of Brussels.


In 1976 at the age of sixteen, Jean-Claude started his Martial Arts fight career. Jean-Claude retired from martial arts in 1982, following a knockout over Nedjad Gharbi in Brussels, Belgium. Jean-Claude posted a 18-1 (18 knockouts) kickboxing record, and a semi-contact record of 41-4. He came to Hong Kong at the age of 19 for the first time and felt insured to do action movies in Hong Kong. In 1981, van Damme moved to Los Angeles. He took English classes while working as carpet layer, pizza delivery man, limo driver, and thanks to Chuck Norris he got a job as a bouncer at a club. Norris gave van Damme a small role in the movie Missing in Action (1984), but it wasn't good enough to get anybody's attention. In 1984, he got his first significant role as a villain named Ivan in the low-budget movie, No Retreat, No Surrender (1986). Then one day, while walking on the streets, Jean-Claude spotted a producer for Cannon Pictures and showed some of his martial arts abilities which led to a role in Bloodsport (1988). The movie, filmed in Hong Kong, was so bad when it was completed, it was shelved for almost two years. It might have never been released if van Damme did not help them to re-cut the film and begged producers to release it. They finally released the film, first in Malaysia and France and then into the US shot on a meager 1.5 million dollar budget, it became a US box-office hit in the spring of 1988. It made about 30 million worldwide and audiences supported this film for its new sensational action star, Jean-Claude van Damme.


His good looks led to starring roles in higher budgeted movies like Cyborg (1989), AWOL: Absent Without Leave (1990), Double Impact (1991) and Universal Soldier (1992). In 1994, he scored with his big breakthrough $100 million worldwide hit Timecop (1994). But in the meantime, his personal life was coming apart. A divorce, followed by a new marriage, followed by another divorce. It began to show up in his career when his projects began to tank at the box office: The Quest (1996), which he directed; Maximum Risk (1996) and Double Team (1997). The three films made less than $50 million combined. In 1999, he remarried his ex-wife, Gladys Portugues, and restarted his lost career to attain new goals. With help from his family, he faced his problems and made movies like Replicant (2001), Derailed (2002), and In Hell (2003).

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Filmography

all 110

Movies 94

self 34

TV Shows 16

Voice 3

Writer 2

Self
Albert Pyun: King of Cult Movies

Albert Pyun: King of Cult Movies (2023)

Movie
Russell Hatch
Darkness of Man

Darkness of Man (2023)

Movie
Self - Portait Subject & Interviewee
Jean-Claude van Damme: Karate King

Jean-Claude van Damme: Karate King (2023)

Movie
Jean Clawed (voice)
Minions: The Rise of Gru

Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)

Movie
6.11
Self
Ramez Movie Star

Ramez Movie Star (2022)

TV
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Haters

Haters (2021)

Movie
Richard Brumére
The Last Mercenary

The Last Mercenary (2021)

Movie
(uncredited)
Monsieur Jean-Claude

Monsieur Jean-Claude (2021)

Movie
JCVD
JCVD's Day Out

JCVD's Day Out (2020)

Movie
In Search of the Last Action Heroes

In Search of the Last Action Heroes (2019)

Movie
Self
The UnXplained

The UnXplained (2019)

TV
Self
The Making of Double Impact, Parts 1 & 2

The Making of Double Impact, Parts 1 & 2 (2019)

Movie
Daniel
We Die Young

We Die Young (2019)

Movie
8
Lukas
The Bouncer

The Bouncer (2018)

Movie
5.5
Wheeler
Black Water

Black Water (2018)

Movie
6
Writer
Kickboxer: Retaliation

Kickboxer: Retaliation (2018)

Movie
1
Phillip
Kill 'em All

Kill 'em All (2017)

Movie
Jean-Claude Van Damme / Filip
Jean-Claude Van Johnson

Jean-Claude Van Johnson (2016)

TV
6
Master Durand
Kickboxer: Vengeance

Kickboxer: Vengeance (2016)

Movie
4.67
Master Croc (voice)
Kung Fu Panda 3

Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)

Movie
6.94
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jian Bing Man

Jian Bing Man (2015)

Movie
Deacon Lyle
Pound of Flesh

Pound of Flesh (2015)

Movie
6
Self
The Go-Go Boys: The Inside Story of Cannon Films

The Go-Go Boys: The Inside Story of Cannon Films (2014)

Movie
Gibson Rickenbacker (archive footage) (uncredited)
Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films

Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films (2014)

Movie
Stillman
Swelter

Swelter (2014)

Movie
Xander
Enemies Closer

Enemies Closer (2013)

Movie
Storm
Welcome to the Jungle

Welcome to the Jungle (2013)

Movie
9
George
U.F.O.

U.F.O. (2012)

Movie
Self
Gods of War: Assembling Earth's Mightiest Anti-Heroes

Gods of War: Assembling Earth's Mightiest Anti-Heroes (2012)

Movie
Luc Deveraux
Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning

Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning (2012)

Movie
4.68
Samson Gaul
6 Bullets

6 Bullets (2012)

Movie
3.5
Vilain
The Expendables 2

The Expendables 2 (2012)

Movie
5.5
Tiano
Dragon Eyes

Dragon Eyes (2012)

Movie
4.33
Himself
Corporal vs. Napoleon

Corporal vs. Napoleon (2012)

Movie
Colonel Merot
Beur sur la ville

Beur sur la ville (2011)

Movie
Vincent Brazil
Assassination Games

Assassination Games (2011)

Movie
6
Master Croc (voice)
Kung Fu Panda 2

Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

Movie
7.02
Self
Jean-Claude Van Damme: Behind Closed Doors

Jean-Claude Van Damme: Behind Closed Doors (2011)

TV
Self
Conan

Conan (2010)

TV
6.43
Frenchy
Full Love

Full Love (2010)

Movie
Luc Deveraux
Universal Soldier: Regeneration

Universal Soldier: Regeneration (2009)

Movie
4.68
JCVD
JCVD

JCVD (2008)

Movie
Jack Robideaux
The Shepherd: Border Patrol

The Shepherd: Border Patrol (2008)

Movie
Anthony Stowe
Until Death

Until Death (2007)

Movie
Charles
Heist School

Heist School (2006)

Movie
Philippe Sauvage
The Hard Corps

The Hard Corps (2006)

Movie
6
Cmdr. Samuel 'Sam' Keenan
Second in Command

Second in Command (2006)

Movie
6
Ben Archer
Wake of Death

Wake of Death (2004)

Movie
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Narco

Narco (2004)

Movie
Self
Universal Soldier: A Tale of Two Titans

Universal Soldier: A Tale of Two Titans (2004)

Movie
Self
Guns, Genes & Fighting Machines: The Making of 'Universal Soldier'

Guns, Genes & Fighting Machines: The Making of 'Universal Soldier' (2004)

Movie
Self
Crossings: John Woo

Crossings: John Woo (2004)

Movie
Kyle LeBlanc
In Hell

In Hell (2003)

Movie
6.19
Self
Las Vegas

Las Vegas (2003)

TV
5.86
Self
Celebrities Uncensored

Celebrities Uncensored (2003)

TV
Self
Dans la peau de Jean-Claude Van Damme

Dans la peau de Jean-Claude Van Damme (2003)

Movie
Jacques Kristoff
Derailed

Derailed (2002)

Movie
6
Self
All the Love You Cannes!

All the Love You Cannes! (2002)

Movie
Max Walker (archive footage)
Ultimate Fights from the Movies

Ultimate Fights from the Movies (2002)

Movie
Himself (archive footage)
The Unbeatable Bruce Lee

The Unbeatable Bruce Lee (2001)

Movie
Self
Playboy Mansion Parties Uncensored

Playboy Mansion Parties Uncensored (2001)

Movie
Replicant / Edward Garrotte
Replicant

Replicant (2001)

Movie
6
Rudy Cafmeyer
The Order

The Order (2001)

Movie
C'è posta per te

C'è posta per te (2000)

TV
Eddie Lomax
Inferno

Inferno (1999)

Movie
9
Luc
Universal Soldier: The Return

Universal Soldier: The Return (1999)

Movie
4.32
Self
Beckmann

Beckmann (1999)

TV
Alain Lefevre
Legionnaire

Legionnaire (1998)

Movie
5.77
Self
Vivement dimanche

Vivement dimanche (1998)

TV
Marcus Ray
Knock Off

Knock Off (1998)

Movie
6
Jack Quinn
Double Team

Double Team (1997)

Movie
5.8
Alain Moreau / Mikhail Suverov
Maximum Risk

Maximum Risk (1996)

Movie
5.9
E! True Hollywood Story

E! True Hollywood Story (1996)

TV
Christopher Dubois
The Quest

The Quest (1996)

Movie
Darren McCord
Sudden Death

Sudden Death (1995)

Movie
5.38
Self
Viva el lunes

Viva el lunes (1995)

TV
WCW Monday Nitro

WCW Monday Nitro (1995)

TV
4.5
Himself (Archive Footage)
Top Fighter

Top Fighter (1995)

Movie
Colonel Guile
Street Fighter

Street Fighter (1994)

Movie
4.5
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Friends

Friends (1994)

TV
7.38
Max Walker
Timecop

Timecop (1994)

Movie
5.8
Self (archive footage)
The Curse of the Dragon

The Curse of the Dragon (1993)

Movie
Jean-Claude Van Damme (uncredited)
Last Action Hero

Last Action Hero (1993)

Movie
5.78
Chance Boudreaux
Hard Target

Hard Target (1993)

Movie
6
Sam Gillen
Nowhere to Run

Nowhere to Run (1993)

Movie
7
Luc Deveraux / GR44
Universal Soldier

Universal Soldier (1992)

Movie
5.03
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992)

TV
5.75
Alex / Chad Wagner
Double Impact

Double Impact (1991)

Movie
6.08
Writer
Kickboxer 2: The Road Back

Kickboxer 2: The Road Back (1991)

Movie
5.53
Louis Burke
Death Warrant

Death Warrant (1990)

Movie
5.64
Lyon
Lionheart

Lionheart (1990)

Movie
6.4
Self - Choir Member
Voices That Care

Voices That Care (1990)

Movie
Himself
The Best of the Martial Arts Films

The Best of the Martial Arts Films (1990)

Movie
Kurt Sloane
Kickboxer

Kickboxer (1989)

Movie
5.65
Gibson Rickenbacker
Cyborg

Cyborg (1989)

Movie
5.58
Andrei
Black Eagle

Black Eagle (1988)

Movie
6
Frank
Bloodsport

Bloodsport (1988)

Movie
5.49
Stunts
Predator

Predator (1987)

Movie
5.94
Ivan Kraschinsky the Russian
No Retreat, No Surrender

No Retreat, No Surrender (1986)

Movie
5
Soldier (uncredited) / Stunts
Missing in Action

Missing in Action (1984)

Movie
5.28
Spectator in First Dance Sequence (uncredited)
Breakin'

Breakin' (1984)

Movie
Extra in Police Arrival Sequence (uncredited)
Barbarous Street

Barbarous Street (1984)

Movie
Gay Karate Man
Monaco Forever

Monaco Forever (1984)

Movie
7
Movie Goer / Man in Garden (uncredited)
Woman Between Wolf and Dog

Woman Between Wolf and Dog (1979)

Movie
Self
The Late Late Show

The Late Late Show (1962)

TV
Le Jardinier

Le Jardinier

Movie
Actor
What's My Name?

What's My Name?

Movie
Actor
Kill 'em All 2

Kill 'em All 2

Movie
Actor
Silent Kill

Silent Kill

Movie
Self
Dolph

Dolph

Movie

Ratings

Average 5.73
Based on 3.97 Million movie and tv ratings over time
1962
1995
2004
1996
2023
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Jean-Claude Van DammeJean-Claude Van DammeJean-Claude Van DammeJean-Claude Van DammeJean-Claude Van DammeJean-Claude Van DammeJean-Claude Van DammeJean-Claude Van DammeJean-Claude Van Damme

Information

Known For
Acting

Gender
Male

Birthday
1960-10-18 (63 years old)

Birth Name
Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg

Birth Place
Berchem-Sainte-Agathe - Sint-Agatha-Berchem, Belgium

Height
176-centimeter

Relationships
http://www.wikidata.org/.well-known/genid/11a0add6655f526f50bd2e1ec8dcb03a (1985-01-01 - 1986-01-01), Gladys Portugues (1987-01-01 - 1992-01-01), http://www.wikidata.org/.well-known/genid/13b54dc2c76c6c80bac132edb8b37c5a (1980-01-01 - 1984-01-01), Darcy LaPier (1994-02-01 - 1997-01-01)

Spouse
Gladys Portugues

Children
Kristopher Van Varenberg, Bianca Bree

Father
Eugene Van Varenberg

Mother
Eliana Van Varenbergh

Citizenships
Belgium

Also Known As
JCVD, The Muscles from Brussels, Jean-Claude van Varenbergh, Jean-Claude Camille François van Varenberg, Ζαν-Κλοντ Βαν Νταμ, Ζαν Κλοντ Βαν Νταμ, Βαν Νταμ, Жан-Клод Ван Дамм, 尚格·云顿, 장 끌로드 반담

Awards
Officer of the Order of the Crown


This article uses material from Wikipedia.
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