BIRTHDATE:
October 18, 1960
WHERE: Brussels, Belgium
HEIGHT: 5'10"
NICKNAME: Muscles from Brussels
Jean Claude Van
Damme was born October 18, 1960, to Eugene and Elaina Van Varenberg in
Sint-Agatha, Belgium.
Jean Claude
studied martial arts since he was 12 years old, when his father took him
to train under Claude Goetz. Jean Claude's study of the martial arts was
intense - he went on to become a member of karate Team Belgium, and
eventually won the European Professional Karate Association's
middleweight championship.
Always ambitious
and a motivated entrepreneur, Jean Claude opened the California Gym
while still in his teens. Then, in 1982, Jean Claude moved to Hollywood
to pursue his goal of becoming a star. His big break came when he
performed a spin kick in front of producer Menahem Golan, CEO of Menahem
Pictures, outside of a Hollywood restaurant.
Golan was so
impressed by Jean Claude's ability, he hired him for 1987's martial arts
classic, BLOODSPORT -- still a favorite among martial arts/action fans.
Jean Claude's
superb athleticism, attained through years of karate, ballet and
bodybuilding training, has made him an acclaimed, international action
star.
During his
career, Jean Claude has been nominated three times (1992, 1993, & 1994)
for an MTV Movie Award, in the Most Desirable Male category, and was
nominated for Best Actor by the Video Premier Awards for his dual role
in 2001's REPLICANT.
Jean Claude is
currently working on his latest film, WAKE OF DEATH, which is being shot
in England and South Africa.
Jean Claude is
married and he has three
children, Kristopher, Bianca and Nicolas.
MUSCLES FROM
BRUSSELS BIO-BYTES
- Appeared in
the music video and sang in the choir for the song, VOICES THAT CARE
- Appeared in
The Smithereens TIME WON'T LET ME music video
- Appear in a
print advertisement for the Gap
- Appeared in
Megadeth's CRUSH 'EM music video
- Hosted the
1996 World Music Awards
- Appeared in
Bob Sinclair's KISS MY EYES music video, doing the tango.
- Was Chuck
Norris' personal trainer
- Worked with
legendary director, John Woo (HARD TARGET, 1993)
- Has writing
credits for THE ORDER (2001), DOUBLE IMPACT (1991), & LIONHEART
(1990)
- Has producer
credits for UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: THE RETURN (1999), DESERT HEAT
(1998), LEGIONNAIRE (1998), & DOUBLE IMPACT (1991)
- Has director
credits for THE QUEST (1996)
- From
Official Website
