Wikipedia

Jean-Claude Van Damme

"Van Damme" and "JCVD" redirect here. For other uses, seeVan Damme (disambiguation)andJCVD (disambiguation).
In thisDutch name,thesurnameisVan Damme,notDamme.

Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg(French:[ʒɑ̃klodkamijfʁɑ̃swavɑ̃vaʁɑ̃bɛʁɡ],Flemish:[vɑɱˈvaːrə(m)bɛr(ə)x];born 18 October 1960), known professionally asJean-Claude Van Damme(French:[vɑ̃dam],Flemish:[vɑnˈdɑmə]), is a Belgianmartial artistand actor. Born and raised inBrussels,his father enrolled him in aShotokan karateschool at the age of ten, which led Van Damme to hold the rank of 2nd-danblack beltinkarate,and compete in several karate andkickboxingcompetitions. As a teenager, he won the middleweight championship of the European Professional Karate Association in 1979 and the Mr. Belgium bodybuilding title in 1978. With the desire of becoming an actor inHollywood,he moved to the United States in 1982, where he worked on several films, until he got his break as the lead in the martial arts filmBloodsport(1988).

Jean-Claude Van Damme
Van Damme in 2012
BornJean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg
(1960-10-18)18 October 1960(age 64)
Berchem-Sainte-Agathe,Brussels-Capital,Belgium
Other names
  • "JCVD"
  • "The Muscles from Brussels"
DivisionMiddleweight
StyleKarate,Kickboxing,Muay Thai,Taekwondo
Fighting out ofBrussels, Belgium
TeamTeam Goetz
TrainerClaude Goetz
Dominique Valera
Rank2nd Dan Black Belt inKarate
Years active1976–1982 (martial arts)
1979–present (acting)
Kickboxingrecord
Total19
Wins18
By knockout18
Losses1
Amateurrecord
Total48
Wins44
Losses4
Other information
Occupation
  • Martial artist
  • actor
  • writer
  • producer
  • conservationist
Spouse
María Rodríguez
​
​
(m.1980;div.1984)​
Cynthia Derderian
​
​
(m.1985;div.1986)​
​
​
(m.1987;div.1992)​
​
​
(m.1999)​
​
​
(m.1994;div.1997)​
Children3
Websitejcvdworld.com

He became a popular action film star and followed up with commercially successful films such asCyborg,Kickboxer(both 1989),Lionheart,Death Warrant(both 1990),Double Impact(1991),Universal Soldier(1992),Nowhere to Run,Hard Target(both 1993),Timecop,Street Fighter(both 1994),Sudden Death(1995),The Quest,which marked hisdirectorial debut,andMaximum Risk(both 1996). He achievedsex symbolstatus in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Between 1993 and 1998, three Hong Kong filmmakers collaborated with Van Damme for their debuts in Western cinema:John Woo,Tsui Hark,andRingo Lam.[1]After a decline in popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s, he returned to prominence with the critically acclaimed crime dramaJCVD(2008). His big return to the action genre was inThe Expendables 2(2012), in which he starred as the villain, oppositeSylvester Stallone.

From thereon, he continued starring in action films and doing extensive voice work, appearing in the well-receivedEnemies Closer(2013),The Bouncer,Kickboxer: Retaliation(both 2018),Minions: The Rise of Gru(2022), andDarkness of Man(2024). In television, he starred in theRidley Scott-producedJean-Claude Van Johnson(2016-2017). Regarded as aniconof action and martial arts cinema, his films have grossed over $1 billion worldwide, making him one of the most successful action stars of all time.[2]Outside his film career, Van Damme has publicly supported various conservationist causes andanimal rightsorganisations.

Early life and education

Van Damme was born Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg, on 18 October 1960, inBerchem-Sainte-Agathe,Brussels,Belgium, the son of Eliana and Eugène Van Varenberg, who was anaccountantandflorist.[3][4][5]His father is from Brussels and bilingual, and his mother isFlemish(Dutch-speaking).[6]Van Damme was brought up Roman Catholic. His paternal grandmother wasJewish.[7]

He began martial arts at the age of ten, enrolled by his father in a Shōtōkan karate school.[8]His styles consist ofShōtōkanKarateandKickboxing.[9]He eventually earned hisblack beltin karate at 18, and earned the rank of 2nd-danblack belt.[10][11]He started lifting weights to improve his physique, which eventually led to a Mr. Belgium bodybuilding title in 1978.[12][13]At the age of 16, he took upballet,which he studied for five years. According to Van Damme, ballet "is an art, but it's also one of the most difficult sports. If you can survive a ballet workout, you can survive a workout in any other sport."[14]Later he took up bothTaekwondoandMuay Thai.[15]

Among his acting heroes growing up wereCharles Bronson,Bruce Lee,James Dean,Montgomery Clift,Steve McQueen,Jean-Paul Belmondo,andSylvester Stallone.[16][17]

Career

Early 1970s to 1980: Martial arts and first film appearance

At the age of 12,[18]Van Damme joined theCentre National de Karaté(National Center of Karate) under the guidance of Claude Goetz in Belgium. Van Damme trained for four years and he earned a spot on the Belgian Karate Team; he later trained in full-contact karate and kickboxing with Dominique Valera.[19]According to Van Damme, "it was tough growing up. I was kind of geeky, and physically I was not gifted".[20]

At the age of 15, he started his competitive karate career in Belgium. From 1976 to 1980, he compiled a record of 44 victories and four defeats in tournament and non-tournament semi-contact matches.

He was a member of the Belgium Karate Team when it won the European Karate Championship on 26 December 1979 at La Coupe François Persoons Karate Tournament in Brussels.[19][21]

He placed second at the Challenge Coupe des Espoirs Karate Tournament (1st Trials). At the three-day tournament, he defeated 25 opponents before losing in the finals to teammate Angelo Spataro.[19]

On 8 March 1980, in Brussels, Belgium, he competed against his former teammate Patrick Teugels at the Forest National Arena on the undercard of the Dan Macaruso-Dominique ValeraProfessional Karate AssociationLight-Heavyweight World Championship bout.[19]Prior to this match, Teugels had defeated Van Damme twice by decision, including a match for the Belgium Lightweight Championship. Van Damme had a 1977 victory over Teugels. Teugels was coming off an impressive showing at theWorld Association of Kickboxing OrganizationsWorld Championships four months earlier, and was favored by some to win this match. According to reports, and Patrick Teugels' own interview (with photos), Teugels lost to Van Damme byTKOin the 1st round. Teugels was kicked in the nose and was unable to continue as a result.[19]In a 2013 interview, Van Damme called this fight his most memorable match.[22]

He began his full-contact career in 1977, when Claude Goetz promoted the first ever full-contact karate tournament in Belgium.

From 1977 to 1982, he compiled a record of 18 victories (18 knockouts) and one defeat.[citation needed]

In 1979, he had an uncredited role inAndré Delvaux'sWoman Between Wolf and Dog,a Belgian-Frenchdrama filmstarringMarie-Christine Barrault,andRutger Hauer.

In 1980, he caught the attention ofProfessional Karate Magazinepublisher and editor Mike Anderson and multiple European champion Geert Lemmens. Both men tabbed Van Damme as an upcoming prospect.[23]Van Damme retired from competition in 1982.

During his early life, he sold flowers in restaurants, and got a loan to open a gym to save some money before his move to the United States.[24]Aptly titledCalifornia Gym,it was opened in 1979 and catered to "karate, dancing, aerobics, bodybuilding – everything". Van Damme adds that "I wrote special training programs for people, and it was a very upbeat atmosphere with music". At its peak,California Gymwas making $15,000 per month; "when I decided to sell my gym my father thought I was crazy. He said, 'What the hell are you doing? You have the best gym in Brussels. You have a sports car, a beautiful apartment, you’re making so much money that you can have anything you want — and now you’re going to sell your business and go to America'. He was very upset".[25]

1982 to 1988: Early works and breakthrough

In 1982, he and childhood friendMichel Qissimoved to the United States in the hope of working as actors. They did a variety of jobs to support themselves. Their first job working on a film as extras in the hip hop dance filmBreakin'(1984), made byCannon Films;they are seen dancing in the background at a dance demonstration.[26]

Around that time he developed a friendship with action martial art film starChuck Norris.They started sparring together, and Van Damme started to work as a bouncer at a bar named Woody's Wharf, owned by Norris.[27]He also supplemented his income as a limousine driver and private karate instructor.

He described his early days in the United States as being particularly difficult – excluding $2,000, he had placed all of his money from the sale of his gym into a European bank;[25]thus, he struggled financially.[28]To ensure his own emotional wellbeing, he would go for runs every night in Santa Monica. After that, he would train at the world-renownedGold's Gym.This routine reportedly helped him survive for many years. He actively participated in casting calls and had a specific routine. On Wednesdays, he would purchase the Drama-Logue magazine; then Thursday mornings, he would send out his picture and resume in response to advertisements. He was willing to try anything to achieve success, even going so far as to fabricate a story. He would call movie studios and claim to be an actor from Brussels with an investor from Hong Kong. He also instructed a friend to play along and act as if they wanted him to star in a movie and were willing to invest money, but required additional funding. Armed with this, he approached producers and suddenly found that all his phone calls were being answered. Of course, his intention was simply to meet the person and put his name out there, as opposed to securing illegitimate deals.[25]

In the 1984 action filmMissing in Actionstarring Norris, which was also released byCannon Films,Van Damme is credited in the stunt team crew.[29]That same year he also had a role in the comedy short filmMonaco Forever.[30][31]

Corey Yuen's martial arts filmNo Retreat, No Surrender,which premiered On 2 May 1986 inLos Angeles,[32]was his first sizeable role when he was cast as the Russian villain. It starredKurt McKinney,and was released throughNew World Pictures.[33][34]McKinney stars as Jason Stillwell, a U.S. teenager who learns karate and defends his martial artsdojoagainst a Soviet martial artist played by Van Damme.[35]Both Vann Damme and McKinney were set to also star inNo Retreat, No Surrender 2,but backed out.[36]

He worked for directorJohn McTiernanfor the filmPredator(1987) as an early (eventually abandoned) version of the titular alien, before being removed and replaced byKevin Peter Hall.[37]As the first choice to play the titularPredatorcharacter, with the intent that he would use his martial arts skills to make the alien an agile,ninja-like hunter, but after few days shot, he left the film. It was reported that he constantly complained about the monster suit being too hot and causing him to pass out; he allegedly also voiced reservations about only appearing on camera in the suit. Additionally, it became apparent that a more physically imposing actor was needed to make the creature appear threatening against the team of soldiers. The role eventually went to Kevin Peter Hall.[38]AfterPredatorwas a success, Van Damme said that he appreciated the movie and that he had no regrets about missing that role.

Van Damme's breakout film wasBloodsport,which opened on 26 February 1988, based on the alleged true story ofFrank Dux.[39]It was shot on a $1.5-million budget for Cannon.[40][41]The film is aboutU.S. ArmyCaptain Frank Dux (played by Van Damme), trained from his youth in the ways ofninjutsuby Senzo Tanaka, who takes the place of Tanaka's deceased son Shingo in the illegal martial-arts tournament Kumite inHong Kong.[42][43]It became a U.S. box-office hit in the spring of 1988. Producer Mark Di Salle said he was looking for "a new martial arts star who was a ladies' man, [but Van Damme] appeals to both men and women. He's an American hero who fights for justice the American way and kicks the stuffing out of the bad guys."[44]In reality, Van Damme had begged for a starring role; at the point of casting, he was homeless, sleeping in cars and garages, and sometimes had to resort to stealing food to survive.[28]Also in 1988, he played another Russian villain inBlack Eagle,oppositeSho Kosugi.[45]

1989 to 1999: International stardom

After the success ofBloodsport,Cannon Films offered him the lead inDelta Force 2,American Ninja 3orCyborg,acyberpunkmartial arts film directed byAlbert Pyun.[46]He choseCyborgwhich premiered in 1989. The film was a low budget box office success and led to two sequels, neither of which Van Damme appeared in.

Cannon used Van Damme again inKickboxerreleased that same year. It was highly successful, returning over $50 million on a $3-million budget.[47]The film started theKickboxerfranchise.He did not appear in any of the film's four sequels, though he did return as a different character in the reboot series.

In 1990, he starred inDeath Warrant,the first script credit forDavid S. Goyer.Also that year he starred inLionheart.[48]Lionheartwas directed bySheldon Lettichwho had co-writtenBloodsport,and said the film was "the first movie to demonstrate that Van Damme was more than just a flash-in-the-pan" Karate Guy "who would never rise above simplistic low-budget karate movies."[49]It also featured rear nudity from Van Damme which Lettich says "became a very memorable moment for the ladies in the audience, and for the gay guys as well. Showing off his butt (clothed or unclothed) almost became a signature trademark of his after that."[49]

In 1991,Double Impactwas released. Directed by Lettich, it features Van Damme in thedual roleof Alex and Chad Wagner, estranged twin brothers fighting to avenge the deaths of their parents. Upon its opening it received mixed reviews.The Los Angeles Timessaid the film "delivers the goods", whileVarietydidn't like the plotline and predicted a flop. The film grossed $23,683,813 in its first 28 days.[50]It made a total of $30,102,717 in the US.[51]Retrospective critics perceive it to be a fun action film, with good comical moments, and a good performance by Van Damme who plays two distinct characters.[52][53][54][55]

In 1992, he starred in one of the biggest blockbusters of the year in the sci-fi action picture,Universal Soldier,directed byRoland EmmerichforCarolco.Van Damme (asLuc Deveraux) andDolph Lundgren(as Sergeant Andrew Scott) play U.S. soldiers during theVietnam Warwho end up shooting each other dead after Devereaux discovers that Scott has gone insane and resorted tomutilating civilians.[56]They are laterreanimatedin a secret Army project along with a large group of other previously dead soldiers and sent on a mission. At the1992 Cannes Film Festival,Van Damme and Lundgren were involved in a verbal altercation that almost turned physical when both men pushed each other only to be separated, but it was believed to have only been a publicity stunt.[57][58]Universal Soldieropened in theatres on 10 July 1992, a moderate success domestically with $36,299,898 in US ticket sales, but a major blockbuster worldwide, making over $65 million overseas, which earned the film a total of $102 million worldwide, on a $23 million budget.[59]

He was considered to play Simon Phoenix inDemolition Man[60]and was briefly considered for the role of Michael Cheritto inHeat.[61]

Van Damme at theCannes Film Festivalin 1993[62]

In 1993, he made a cameo inLast Action Hero,and starred inNowhere To Run.The film was the first in a three-picture deal between Van Damme andColumbia Picturesand his fee was $3.5 million. Columbia said the film is "true to his audience and goes beyond his audience."[63]

In 1994, he starred inHard TargetforUniversal Pictures,the first American film from directorJohn Woo.Also released that year, he starred inTimecop,playing a time-traveling cop.[64]Directed byPeter Hyams,the film was a huge success, grossing over $100 million worldwide, and remains his highest-grossing film in a lead role to date. Also that year, he starred inStreet Fighter,written and directed bySteven E. de Souzafor Universal and based on the video game. It was poorly received critically. Though a commercial success, making approximately three times its production cost.

Van Damme and Hyams re-teamed for Universal'sSudden Death,released in 1995. Van Damme portrays aFrench Canadian-bornfirefighterwith thePittsburgh Fire Bureauwho suffered a personal crisis after he was unable to save a young girl from a house fire. Now removed from active duty, he has become demoted to beingfire marshalfor thePittsburgh Civic Arena,where a gang of terrorists are holdingU.S. Vice Presidentand several other VIPs hostage in a luxury suite during a game. The movie was a modest success.[65]

In 1996, he starred and directedThe Quest.The film, though it under-performed domestically, did better internationally at the box-office and was a commercial success.[66][67][68]That year, he appeared in the TV showFriendsin the two-part episode "The One After the Superbowl".He also starred inMaximum Risk,the first American film directed byRingo Lam,and their first collaboration. The film was mildly successful at the box office.[69]

He followed up withDouble Team(1997), a sci fi action film with basketball superstarDennis Rodman.It was Hong Kong directorTsui Hark's American debut.

In 1998, he and Hark reunited onKnock Off,abox-office flop.[70]Also that year, Van Damme acted in the war filmLegionnaire.Despite a $35 million budget, it was not released theatrically in the US, only overseas.[71]

In 1999, he starred inUniversal Soldier: The Return,(1999), where he returns asLuc Deveraux.The movie did poorly at the box office debuting at #4.[72]That year he also starred inInferno(1999).

2000s: Subsequent films

Van Damme in 2007

Released in 2001,Replicantis the second collaboration between Van Damme and directorRingo Lam,and the fifth time that Van Damme has starred in adual role.It co-starsMichael Rooker.Also that year he starred inThe Order,directed bySheldon Lettich,and written by Van Damme.[73]

In 2002, he starred inDerailed.In Hellis a 2003 Americanprison action filmdirected byRingo Lam.It is the third collaboration between Van Damme and Lam. Van Damme plays an American working overseas inMagnitogorsk,Russia. That same year, he employed his dancing training in the music video forBob Sinclar's "Kiss My Eyes".

His 2004 film wasWake of Death,an action film directed byPhilippe Martinez.Ringo Lamwas the original director, but he left the project after a few weeks of filming in Canada. It co-starsSimon Yam,Valerie Tian,Tony Schiena,etc.

In 2005, he played himself in the French filmNarco.In 2006, he starred inSecond in Commanddirected by Simon Fellows, andThe Hard Corpsdirected by Sheldon Lettich.

In 2007, he played a small role inThe Exam,a Turkishcomedy-drama filmdirected byÖmer Faruk Sorak.Also that year he starred inUntil Death.[74]

Van Damme on the set ofJCVDin October 2007

Van Damme returned to the mainstream with the limited theatrical release of the 2008 filmJCVD,which received positive reviews.TimeMagazinenamed his performance in the film the second best of the year (afterHeath Ledger's The Joker inThe Dark Knight),[75]having previously stated that Van Damme "deserves not a black belt, but an Oscar."[76]Also in 2008, he starred inIsaac Florentine'sThe Shepherd: Border Patrol.

He then reprised his role asLuc DeverauxalongsideDolph Lundgrenin the 2009 filmUniversal Soldier: Regeneration,directed byJohn Hyams.The film was released theatrically in the Middle East and Southeast Asia and directly to video in the United States and other parts of the world. Since its release, the film has received mostly positive reviews, with praise towards the performances and surprisingly high production values.[77][78][79]

2010–present: Current work

In 2010, he directed himself in the barely releasedFull Love.That same year, he turned down the role of Gunner Jensen in the first instalment ofThe Expendablesand the role went toDolph Lundgren.[80]

In 2011, he voiced Master Croc in the computer animation filmKung Fu Panda 2.In the film, he voices a character who helps the heroes of the previous film. That same year, he co-starred withScott AdkinsinAssassination Games.Also in 2011, he played a role in the French comedyBeur sur la ville.Also that year, he starred in his own reality TV showBehind Closed Doors.The show showcases his family life, his personal troubles, and an upcoming fight. Since 2009, he has been planning to make a comeback to fight former boxing Olympic gold-medalistSomluck Kamsing.[81][82][83]The fight was a focal point in his ITV reality showBehind Closed Doors.The fight has been repeatedly postponed, with many critics doubting it will occur, especially due to the difficulty of booking the venue.[84]

In 2012, he acted in the Russiancomedy filmnamedRzhevsky Versus Napoleon,andU.F.O.[85]He starred inDragon Eyes,Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning,andSix Bullets.[86]

Also that year, he starred as the main villain inThe Expendables 2.The film series follows a mercenary group as they undertake a mission which evolves into a quest for revenge against a rival mercenary (Van Damme). The film was a success, grossing over $310 million worldwide, and was his big return to the action genre.[87]Empire's Nick de Semlyen praised Van Damme's "grandstanding, plutonium-crazed baddie" and Lundgren's "action-troll" as high points in the film.[88]Also that year, he was seen as part of Kam Sing's ring crew when Kam Sing fought againstJomhod Kiatadisak.[89]He also appeared in commercials forCoors Lightbeer, showing him on a snow-covered mountain wearing a sleeveless denim jacket,[90]and for the washing powder Dash. On 21 October 2012, he was honored with a life-size statue of himself in his hometown ofBrussels.He told reporters during the unveiling, "Belgium is paying me back something, but really it's to pay back to the dream. So when people come by here, it is not Jean-Claude van Damme but it's a guy from the street who believed in something. I want the statue to represent that".[91]

In 2013, he acted in the comedyWelcome to the Jungle.Also that year,he played the main villain inEnemies Closer,an Americanactionthriller filmdirected byPeter Hyams.[92]On 13 November 2013,Volvo Trucksreleased an advertisement onYouTubethat shows Van Damme doing thesplitswhile perched with each of his feet on the outer rearview mirrors of onesemi-trailer truckand onebox truckmoving backwards, which he describes in the commercial as "the most epic of splits". The video quickly went viral around the web, receiving more than 11 million views in three days,[93]35 million in the first week.[94]It was dubbed asThe Epic Split.[95]

Swelteris a 2014 American action film where he plays one of the leads. It starsLennie James,and co-starsGrant Bowler,Josh Henderson,andAlfred Molina.James plays a sheriff in a small town who has a dark past that he can not remember, only to have to confront it when his ex-partners show up looking for stolen money they believe he has.

In 2015, he starred in theactionthrillerfilmPound of Flesh,directed byErnie Barbarash.Also that year, he had a supporting role in a Chinesesuperheroparody film.

In 2016, he returned to his voice role of Master Croc in theKung Fu Pandafranchisefor thethird installment.Also that year, he acted inKickboxer: Vengeancedirected byJohn Stockwell.It is a reboot of the original where he was the lead. That year he also played the lead in the tv seriesJean-Claude Van Johnson.

In 2017, he starred inKill 'Em All,an action film directed byPeter Malota.

In 2018, he returned to his role inKickboxer: Retaliation,a sequel to the reboot.[96]That same year, he acted inBlack Water.It co-starsDolph Lundgrenin the fifth collaboration between both actors[97]as well as the first time they appear together as on-screen allies.[98]In 22 August of that same year, he starred inJulien Leclercq'sThe Bouncer.

In 2019, he starred inWe Die Young.[99]In 2021, he starred inThe Last Mercenary.[100]In 2022, he voiced the character Jean-Clawed in the computer animation filmMinions: The Rise of Gru.[101]

In 2023, he featured his likeness and voice asJohnny Cagein the fighting gameMortal Kombat 1(2023).[102]

Monument

Van Damme Monument in Qabala, Azerbaijan

In 2012, a statue of Van Damme was unveiled in Anderlecht, Belgium. The artwork, which depicts a younger incarnation ofthe Muscles from Brusselsin one of his fighting poses from the movieKickboxer,was commissioned to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Westland Shopping complex. The unveiling took place on Boulevard Sylvain Dupuis and was attended by Van Damme, his parents, Wallonia-Brussels culture ministerFadila Laanan[nl]and nearly 2,000 fans. Van Damme said the statue "represented the dream of a Brussels kid" and was "for all the children who want something bad", adding that "if you believe in something strongly enough, it can come true".[103]

In 2019, a Van Damme monument was mounted in theVandamvillage ofQabala,Azerbaijan,due to the similarity of the village name and Van Damme's name. The actor subsequently published a post on his Facebook account, thanking those responsible.[104]

Controversies

Lawsuit and fight record controversy

In 1997, Frank Dux, the martial artist whom Van Damme portrayed inBloodsport,filed a lawsuit against him for $50,000 for co-writing and consultation work Dux did on the 1996 filmThe Quest.According to the lawsuit, Dux also accused him of lying to the public about his martial arts fight record, stating that when Dux tutored Van Damme while the latter was laying carpet for a living, Van Damme exhibited a lack of martial arts skills. Van Damme's lawyer, Martin Singer, responded, "There are records to document his martial arts acclaim. Why, just look at his movies; he didn't get those roles on his acting ability! He's the one who does those splits on chairs. He doesn't have a stuntman to do that."[105]

Chuck Zito incident

Tensions arose between Van Damme and bodyguard/stuntmanChuck Zitowhen Zito began dating Van Damme's estranged wifeDarcy LaPier.Zito was reportedly unhappy about LaPier's claim in a divorce action that Van Damme had abused her.[106]On 6 February 1998, theNew York Daily Newsreported that Van Damme had been punched by Zito the previous night at theScoresstrip club inManhattan,New York.[107]Zito, who had previously bodyguarded Van Damme and did stunts on the filmNowhere to Run,recalled the incident in his 2002 autobiographyStreet Justice,claiming that he suffered a broken hand as a result of striking Van Damme several times after Van Damme made disparaging remarks about him to a club bouncer, who then relayed the comments to Zito.[108]Van Damme denied in an appearance onInside Editiondays after the incident that he had been struck by Zito and challenged Zito to a fight.[106]

Kadyrov event

In October 2011, Van Damme, along with other celebrities includingHilary Swank,Vanessa-MaeandSealattracted criticism from human rights groups for attending an event in Russian federal subjectChechnya's capitalGroznyon the 35th birthday of Chechen presidentRamzan Kadyrovon 5 October.[109]Human rights groups, who had urged the celebrities to cancel their appearances because of abuses carried out under Kadyrov, criticised the celebrities for attending the event.[110]Human Rights Watchreleased a statement which said, "Ramzan Kadyrov is linked to a litany of horrific human rights abuses. It's inappropriate for stars to get paid to party with him [...] And getting paid to be part of such a lavish show in Chechnya trivializes the suffering of countless victims of human rights abuses there."[111][112]

Public image and influence

Van Damme is widely regarded as aniconof action and martial arts cinema.[113][114]His popularity is credited with opening the Hollywood doors to names likeDon Wilson,Olivier Gruner,Dale CookandLoren Avedon.Described as the most 'remade' action star, his films have spawned endless sequels, such asBloodsport II: The Next Kumite(1996),Bloodsport III(1997),Bloodsport 4: The Dark Kumite(1999),Cyborg 2(1993),Cyborg 3: The Recycler(1994), Kickboxer 2-6 in theKickboxer (film series),Universal Soldier II: Brothers in Arms(1998),Universal Soldier III: Unfinished Business(1998),Hard Target 2(2016),Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li(2009),Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist(2014),Timecop 2: The Berlin Decision(2003), theTimecop (TV series)(1997), andWelcome to Sudden Death(2020). Van Damme's influence has been compared to theBruceploitationexplosion of the 1970s.[115]

Van Damme achievedsex symbolstatus through publicity venues in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Unlike his major rivals in action film, such asArnold Schwarzenegger,Sylvester Stallone,Steven Seagal,andBruce Willis,Van Damme was nominated by theNational Enquireras number one on their "Top Ten Sexiest Men in the World" list, being the only action film star listed.[116][117][118]

In 2020, he was inducted into theMartial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame.[119]

Many martial artists, athletes, and filmmakers have cited Van Damme as an influence, such asAlain Moussi,[120]Scott Adkins,[121]Dave Callaham,[122]Adam Brody,[123]Jay Cutler,[124]Georges St-Pierre,[125]Cain Velasquez,[126][127]Nick Diaz,[128]Mirko Cro Cop,[129]James P. Bennett,[130][131]Rico Verhoeven,[132]Tom Duquesnoy,[133]John Albert,[134]Charles Rosa,[135]Murad Ramazanov,[136]Halil Amir,[137]Andrei Stoica,[138]Giorgio Petrosyan,[139]Alfie Davis,[140]Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu,[141]and Angela Chang.[142]In August 2016, Georges St-Pierre described fighting Van Damme in the filmKickboxer: Vengeanceas "a dream come true".[143]

The original video gameMortal Kombat(1992) was conceived as afighting gamebased on Van Damme.[144]CreatorsEd BoonandJohn Tobiashad originally wanted to star Van Damme himself in the game. That fell through as he had allegedly a prior deal for another game under the auspices of theSega Genesisplatform. Boon and Tobias eventually decided to create a character namedJohnny Cage,who is modelled after Van Damme, primarily from Van Damme's appearance and outfit in the martial arts filmBloodsport.[145][146]In the German version of the Donkey Kong 64 website, DK's greatest hero is Jean-Claude Van Kong.[citation needed]

American professional wrestlerRobert Alexander Szatkowskiwas given his ring name "Rob Van Dam" in 1992 byRon Slinker,a promoter inFlorida,possibly because of hismartial artsexperience and his resemblance to Van Damme.[147]

Personal life

From 1993 to 1996, the stress of the constant filming and promotion of his films, as Van Damme claims, led him to develop acocainehabit, on which he spent up to $10,000 a week, and consuming up to 10 grams per day by 1996. He was arrested fordriving under the influencein 1999.[148][149][150][151]Attempts at drug rehabilitation were unsuccessful, and he resorted to resolve his addiction via quittingcold turkeyand exercise.[149]In 1998, he was diagnosed withbipolar disorder.[149][150][152]In 2011, he discussed the condition on the British reality showBehind Closed Doors,saying, "Sometimes you're gonna like me, and sometimes you're gonna hate me. But what can I do? I'm not perfect... I'm an extreme bipolar, and I'm taking medication for this... When I was young, I was suffering thoseswing moods.In the morning, the sky was blue [when I was] going to school, and to me, the sky was black. I was so sad. "[153]

He has been married five times to four different women. Until 1992 he was married to his third wife, bodybuilderGladys Portugues,with whom he has two children, Kristopher (b. 1987) and Bianca Brigitte (b. 1990).[154]He had begun an affair with actressDarcy LaPier,whom he married in February 1994. From this marriage, the couple has a son named Nicholas (b. 10 October 1995). That same year he had an affair with hisStreet Fighterco-starKylie Minogueduring filming in Thailand.[155][156]LaPier, who was pregnant with their son at the time, did not become aware of the affair until Van Damme publicly admitted it in 2012.[157]

In October 2016, he expressed his support for presidential candidateDonald Trumpduring the2016 election.[158]Earlier that year in March, he mentioned that theIlluminatiincluding theRockefellersandRothschildsmight try to stop Trump from winning.[159]

He had been in a decade-long relationship with model Alena Kaverina, though still married to Gladys Portugues. Kaverina was born inUkraine;Van Damme visited the country during theRussian invasion of Ukraineto show his support.[160][161]

Conservationism

Outside acting, Van Damme has publicly supported variousconservationistcauses andanimal rightsorganisations, appearing in a number ofPSAsforAnimals Australia,and working towards his goal of rallying celebrities and fellow actors in creatingsanctuariesforendangered species.In 2022, he was appointed asDemocratic Republic of the CongoAmbassador On Environment, with the role of enhancing theprotection of forestsas well as localfaunaandflora.[162][163][113]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1979 Woman Between Wolf and Dog Moviegoer / Man in Garden Uncredited extra[164]
1984 Missing in Action Soldier Also credited for stunts
Monaco Forever Gay karate man Short film
Breakin' Spectator in the first dance scene Uncredited extra
1985 No Retreat, No Surrender Ivan Kraschinsky
1988 Bloodsport Frank Dux Also editor (uncredited)
Black Eagle Andrei
1989 Cyborg Gibson Rickenbacker Also editor (uncredited)
Kickboxer Kurt Sloane Also writer, fight director and choreographer
1990 Lionheart Lyon Gaultier Also writer and fight choreographer
Death Warrant Louis Burke
1991 Double Impact Alex Wagner / Chad Wagner Dual role;also writer, producer and fight choreographer
1992 Universal Soldier Luc Deveraux
1993 Nowhere to Run Sam Gillen
Last Action Hero Himself Cameo
Hard Target Chance Boudreaux
1994 Timecop Max Walker
Street Fighter Colonel William F. Guile
1995 Sudden Death Darren McCord
1996 The Quest Christopher Dubois Also director and writer
Maximum Risk Alain Moreau / Mikhail Suverov Dual role
1997 Double Team Jack Paul Quinn
1998 Knock Off Marcus Ray
Legionnaire Alain Lefèvre Also writer and producer
1999 Universal Soldier: The Return Luc Deveraux Also producer
Inferno Eddie Lomax Limited release; also producer
2001 Replicant Edward "The Torch" Garrotte (Luc Savard) / The Replicant Dual role; direct-to-video
The Order Rudy Cafmeyer / Charles Le Vaillant Dual role; also writer; direct-to-video
2002 Derailed Jacques Kristoff Direct-to-video
2003 In Hell Kyle LeBlanc Direct-to-video
2004 Narco Jean's Ghost by Lenny
Wake of Death Ben Archer Direct-to-video
2006 Second in Command Samuel Keenan Direct-to-video
The Hard Corps Philippe Sauvage Direct-to-video
The Exam Charles
2007 Until Death Anthony Stowe Direct-to-video
2008 The Shepherd: Border Patrol Jack Robideaux Direct-to-video
JCVD Himself Limited release; also executive producer
2009 Universal Soldier: Regeneration Luc Deveraux Direct-to-video
2011 Kung Fu Panda 2 Master Croc Voice role
Assassination Games Vincent Brazil Limited release; also executive producer
Beur sur la ville Colonel Merot Cameo
Rzhevsky versus Napoleon Himself Cameo
Dragon Eyes Jean-Louis Tiano Limited release
2012 The Expendables 2 Jean Vilain Van Damme's firstwidely releasedfilm since 1999
Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning Luc Deveraux Limited release
Six Bullets Samson Gaul Direct-to-video; also executive producer
U.F.O. George Limited release
2013 Welcome to the Jungle Storm Rothschild Limited release
Enemies Closer Xander Limited release
Swelter Stillman Direct-to-video
2015 Pound of Flesh Deacon Lyle Limited release; also executive producer
Jian Bing Man Himself Cameo
2016 Kung Fu Panda 3 Master Croc Voice role
Kickboxer: Vengeance Master Durand Limited release
2017 Kill 'Em All Philip Direct-to-video
2018 Kickboxer: Retaliation Master Durand Limited release
Black Water Wheeler Limited release; also executive producer
The Bouncer Lukas Limited release
2019 We Die Young Daniel Limited release
2021 The Last Mercenary Richard Brumère / The Mist
Haters Le fan de Thomas
2022 Minions: The Rise of Gru Jean Clawed Voice role
2024 Darkness of Man Russell Hatch Also story
Kill 'Em All 2 Philip Direct-to-video
TBA Frenchy Frenchy Also writer, director, producer and editor;complete

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1996 Friends Himself Episode: "The One After the Superbowl"
2004 Las Vegas Himself Episode: "Die Fast, Die Furious"
2009 Robot Chicken Himself / Count Dracula / Rhett Butler (voices) Episode: "Maurice Was Caught"
2011 Jean-Claude Van Damme: Behind Closed Doors Himself 8 episodes; also producer
2011 Les Anges Gardiens Himself 20 episodes
2016 Sense8 Himself Episode: "Happy F*cking New Year"
2016–2017 Jean-Claude Van Johnson Johnson / Filip 6 episodes; also executive producer for "Pilot"
2020 Les Anges Asian Dream Himself
2022 Ramez Movie Star Himself Arabian pranks show, represented by him andRamez Galal
2023 Jean-Claude Van Damme, Coup sur Soup Himself TV special

Music videos

Year Song title Artist(s)
1992 "Body Count's in the House" Body Count
1994 "Time Won't Let Me" The Smithereens
"Straight to My Feet" MC HammerfeaturingDeion Sanders
1995 "Something There" Chage and Aska
1999 "Crush 'Em" Megadeth
2003 "Kiss My Eyes" Bob Sinclar
2008 "Ya Lyublyu Ego" Iryna Bilykand Olga Gorbacheva
2015 "The Hum"[165] Dimitri Vegas & Like Mikevs.Ummet Ozcan
2020 "Ultrarêve"[166] AaRON

Video games

Year Title Role Note
1995 Street Fighter: The Movie Colonel Guile
2021 Warpath Himself As fictional general[167]
2023 Mortal Kombat 1 Johnny Cage Voice and likeness; JCVD DLC skin

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result
1988 Golden Raspberry Award Worst New Star[168] Bloodsport Nominated
1992 MTV Movie Award Most Desirable Male Double Impact Nominated
1993 Nowhere to Run Nominated
1994 Hard Target Nominated
1998 Golden Raspberry Award Worst Screen Couple (withDennis Rodman) Double Team Won
2001 Video Premiere Award Best Actor Replicant Nominated
2004 Bollywood Movie Award International Action Super Star Himself Won
2008 Silver Leopard Best Actor JCVD Nominated
2009 TFCA Award Best Performance, Male Nominated
2014 Golden Lotus Award Outstanding Achievement of Action Movies Show Himself Won

Championships and accomplishments

Mr. Belgium bodybuilding Championships (1976 Gold)

Belgium Karate Lightweight Championships (1977 Gold)

Belgium Karate team European Championships (1979 Gold)

Belgium Coupe des Espoirs Karate Tournament Championships (1980 Silver)

Fight record

Semi-contact/light-contact record

Result Record Opponent Method Date Round Event Location Notes
Win 44-4-0 Jonny Wellum Decision 7 May 1980 3 WAKO Brussels,Belgium Light-Contact (Van Damme avenges early career defeat)
Win 43-4-0 Jordy Claes 1980 Gala InternationalWAKO Light-Contact
Win 42-4-0 Patrick Teugels[19] l'abandon (TKO) 8 March 1980 1 Forest Nationals Light-Contact (Teugels suffers a broken nose and is unable to continue)
Win 41-4-0 Andras Kovacs Decision 1980 3 WAKO Semi-Contact
Win 40-4-0 Bekim-Moussa Muhammad
Win 39-4-0 Mustapha-Ahmad Benamou
Win 38-4-0 Reinhard Krass Disq. 26 December 1979 2 Karate Tournament: Belgium Team vs. German Team Woluwe,Brussels, Belgium Light-Contact[19]
Win 37-4-0 Gilberto Dias l'abandon November 1979 1 World All-styles Karate Organization Brussels, Belgium Light-Contact (Dias suffers ankle injury and is unable to continue)
Win 36-4-0 Hans Kohler Decision 1979 3 Ingelmunster,Belgium Semi-Contact
Loss 35-4-0 Patrick Teugels WAKO Tampa,Florida,USA Light-Contact (Both men fight in karate-gi uniforms, no pads or gloves)
Win 35-3-0 Matthias Evrard Cup of Antwerp World All-styles Karate Organization Antwerp, Belgium Semi-Contact
Win 34-3-0 Paul Sperati World All-styles Karate Organization Opprebais, Belgium
Win 33-3-0 Lucus Reinfeld World All-styles Karate Organization, Europe Interland Cup Mulhouse,Belgium
Win 32-3-0 Robbe Bogaerts 1978 Hope Cup World All-styles Karate Organization Brussels, Belgium Semi-Contact[169]
Win 31-3-0 Leonard Baptiste World All-styles Karate Organization Izegem,Belgium Semi-Contact
Win 30-3-0 Fernando Cabanela World All-styles Karate Organization
Loss 29-3-0 Angelo Spataro[19] Challenge Coupe des Espoirs Karate Tournament (1st Trials) Antwerp, Belgium Light-Contact
Win 29-2-0 Gabriel van der Driessche
Win 28-2-0 Farid Muhammad Mousseau
Win 27-2-0 Jacques van Laere
Win 26-2-0 Christian Hedin
Win 25-2-0 Gerard Charon
Win 24-2-0 David Arranz
Win 23-2-0 Bernard Redden
Win 22-2-0 Antoine Redi
Win 21-2-0 Ben Salah Ellah
Win 20-2-0 Gaston Airey Foul 1
Win 19-2-0 Abdembi Hassan Ali Decision 3
Win 18-2-0 Jonas "Marcel" Cohen Decision
Win 17-2-0 Christian van Tieghem
Win 16-2-0 Max Roelandt
Win 15-2-0 Andre Verbon
Win 14-2-0 Michel Juvillier
Win 13-2-0 Joel Maoreau
Win 12-2-0 Ronald Duivenbode Semi-Contact
Loss 11-2-0 Patrick Teugels Belgium Lightweight Championship Antwerp, Belgium Light-Contact
Win 11-1-0 Gris Lubbers 1976 European Karate Union Ingelmunster,Belgium Semi-Contact
Win 10-1-0 Andre Lemaire 1977 World Association of Kickboxing Organizations Open International Izegem,Belgium
Win 9-1-0 Patrick Teugels Antwerp Open International Competition WAKO Antwerp, Belgium Light-Contact[citation needed]
Win 8-1-0 Maurice Devos World Allstyles Kickboxing Organization Semi-Contact
Win 7-1-0 Jacques Berri 1976 Antwerp Open WAKO
Win 6-1-0 Johannes Binding Antwerp, Belgium
Win 5-1-0 Jean-Morin Devigne
Win 4-1-0 Roland Vedani 1976 3 European Karate Union Ingelmunster,Belgium
Win 3-1-0 Jean-Paul Gaston Brussels, Belgium
Loss 2-1-0 Jonny Wellum 22 January 1976 La Federation Europeene de Karate (European Karate Federation) Brussels, Belgium Semi-Contact (J. Vandenberg credit withdefaite)
Win 2-0-0 Bernard Briers Semi-Contact (J. Vandenberg credit withvictoire)
Win 1-0-0 Robin Lomard Semi-Contact (J. Vandenberg credit withvictoire- Karate magazineBoxe francaise)

Kickboxing record

Result Record Opponent Method Date Round Time Event Location Notes
Win 18-1-0 Nedjad Gharbi KKO 1982 1 Brussels, Belgium Kickboxing
Win 17-1-0 Daniel Le Jaouen 1:05
Win 16-1-0 Lenny Leikman[19] 3 1st Journée des Arts Martiaux
Win 15-1-0 Ajom Mahmud Uddin KO 1981 1 0:19
Win 14-1-0 Mustapha-Ahmad Benamou KKO
Win 13-1-0 Henk Besselman KO
Win 12-1-0 Michael J. Heming KKO 1980 0:46 European Karate Federation Middleweight Championship Kickboxing[citation needed]
Win 11-1-0 Georges Verlugels KO 2 PKAMiddleweight Championship Kickboxing[23]
Win 10-1-0 Sherman Bergman KKO 1979 Nov 4 1 0:56 Tampa, Florida,USA Full-Contact
Win 9-1-0 Rolf Risberg KKO 1979 Ingelmunster,Belgium Kickboxing[citation needed]
Win 8-1-0 Emile Leibman Izegem,Belgium Kickboxing[citation needed]
Win 7-1-0 Cyrille Nollet 1978 Kickboxing
Win 6-1-0 Orlando Lang KO 0:26 Antwerp, Belgium
Win 5-1-0 Jacques Piniarski KKO Belgium Kickboxing[citation needed]
Win 4-1-0 Eric "Basel" Strauss 0:18 Antwerp, Belgium Kickboxing[citation needed]
Win 3-1-0 Andre "Robar" Robaeys Mulhouse,France Kickboxing[citation needed]
Win 2-1-0 Michel Juvillier KO 0:39 Antwerp, Belgium Full-Contact[citation needed]
Loss 1-1-0 Etienne "Tuf" Aubry DQ 7 March 1977 1:02 Marseilles,France Full-Contact (Karate magazineBoxe francaise)
Win 1-0-0 Toon van Oostrum KKO 1977 0:46 Brussels, Belgium Full-Contact[citation needed]

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Books cited

Further reading

  • Vandehey, Tim (April 1991). "Gunning for Van Damme".Karate Kung-Fu Illustrated.
  • Xuat Tinh Som (31 December 2007). "Jean-Claude van Damme".Tre Today News.
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