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Belgian martial artist and action film star
He became an international action star after his breakthrough role in the martial arts film Bloodsport in 1988.
Jean-Claude Van Damme was born October 18, 1960, in Brussels, Belgium, and stands 5 feet 10 inches tall. The Belgian martial artist and actor holds a 2nd-dan black belt in Shotokan karate and rose to fame with Bloodsport in 1988. His films have grossed over $3.3 billion worldwide, making him one of the most successful action stars of all time.
His father enrolled him in a Shotokan karate school in Brussels at age ten, beginning a martial arts journey that led to a 2nd-dan black belt by age 18. He won the middleweight championship of the European Professional Karate Association in 1979 and the Mr. Belgium bodybuilding title in 1978. He compiled a competitive karate record of 44 victories and four defeats between 1976 and 1980, and later studied ballet for five years starting at age 16.
Born Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg to accountant and florist Eugène Van Varenberg and Eliana Van Varenberg, he was raised Roman Catholic with a Jewish paternal grandmother. His father is bilingual and from Brussels, while his mother is Flemish. He is alive and active in 2025, continuing to appear in action films and doing extensive voice work while publicly supporting conservationist causes and animal rights organizations.
He stands 5 feet 10 inches tall and holds a 2nd-dan black belt in Shotokan karate.
His zodiac sign is Libra, born October 18, 1960.
He compiled a full-contact karate record of 18 victories by knockout and one defeat between 1977 and 1982.
He studied ballet for five years starting at age 16, calling it one of the most difficult sports.
His full birth name is Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg.
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.
It was tough growing up. I was kind of geeky, and physically I was not gifted.
Born October 18 in Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Brussels, Belgium
Enrolled in Shotokan karate school at age ten by his father
Won Mr. Belgium bodybuilding title and earned black belt in karate at age 18
Won middleweight championship of the European Professional Karate Association
Moved to the United States to pursue acting career in Hollywood
Achieved breakthrough as lead in martial arts film Bloodsport
Starred in commercially successful Universal Soldier
Appeared in Timecop, his most commercially successful film, and Street Fighter
Made directorial debut with The Quest
Returned to prominence with critically acclaimed crime drama JCVD
Returned to major action films with villain role in The Expendables 2
Voiced Jean Clawed in Minions: The Rise of Gru