History or Biography

Biography about Jean Cl

aude Van Damme

Born in Berchem-Sainte Agathe,Belgium and raised in Brueesels,Belgium,Jean-Claude Van Varenberg(adopting the name"Van Damme" from an early mentor) was a self-admitted "skiny, sensitive kid who loved classical music and painting,"among other childhood studies.At the urging of his father,he began early instructions in ballet and karate - foreshadowing a career that would later capitalize on the interwined nature of both.Invited to join the Paris Opera as a dancer, the young Van Damme instead chose to focus on karate and body-building,quitting school to operate his own successful fitness center,The California Gym in Brussels.Though he quickly found fame in his native Belgium as a prized athlete and health club entrepreneur,his life would take take another turn.Cast in the French-made film Rue Barbare,an interest in acting awoke in him that would forever alter in his life.Says the performer:"To leave your family,your friends,your business,and take a chance.......you've got to believe in you dream."Although it seemed like a "kamikaze mission," he abandoned a lucrative business and local fame in search of a film career in Hong Kong.After little success breaking into the Hong Kong martial arts film industry,Van Damme felt it was time to take on Hollywood.Arriving on American soil in 1982,Van Damme possessed the requisite good looks and persistent attitude to succed-unfortunately,he knew no languages other than French and Flemmish.With informal English studies came a variety of jobs-taxi driver and limo driver,nightclub bouncer,pizza delivery boy,carpet layer and personal trainer.However,Jean-Claude's dream continued to elude him untill an impromptu display of his martial arts prowess for a startled Menahem Golan,then CEO of Menahem Pictures,outside a chic Hollywood restaurant won the determined performer his first role.Van Damme made his feature film debut starring in Cannon Films 1987 release Bloodsport.Its success ushered in a wave of action thrillers : (Cyborg,Kickboxer,Death Warrant and Lionheart.Numerous studio films followed starting with Double Impact,Universal Soldier,Nowhere to Run,Hard Target,(directed by John Woo),Street Fighter,Sudden Death,The Quest (written and directed by Van Damme),Maximum Risk,and the blockbuster Timecop.The success of this young Belgian can be traced to his ability to appeal to all ages and genders and his larger-than-life image that captures the imagination of moviegoers worldwide.............


	* Enter if you dare * \| home Filmography \| Discography \| History or Biography \| Favorite Players \| News and Gossip \| Mailbag \| Related Links \| Contact Me \| My Photos \| My Photos \| My Photos \| My Photos History or Biography Biography about Jean Cl aude Van Damme Born in Berchem-Sainte Agathe,Belgium and raised in Brueesels,Belgium,Jean-Claude Van Varenberg(adopting the name"Van Damme" from an early mentor) was a self-admitted "skiny, sensitive kid who loved classical music and painting,"among other childhood studies.At the urging of his father,he began early instructions in ballet and karate - foreshadowing a career that would later capitalize on the interwined nature of both.Invited to join the Paris Opera as a dancer, the young Van Damme instead chose to focus on karate and body-building,quitting school to operate his own successful fitness center,The California Gym in Brussels.Though he quickly found fame in his native Belgium as a prized athlete and health club entrepreneur,his life would take take another turn.Cast in the French-made film Rue Barbare,an interest in acting awoke in him that would forever alter in his life.Says the performer:"To leave your family,your friends,your business,and take a chance.......you've got to believe in you dream."Although it seemed like a "kamikaze mission," he abandoned a lucrative business and local fame in search of a film career in Hong Kong.After little success breaking into the Hong Kong martial arts film industry,Van Damme felt it was time to take on Hollywood.Arriving on American soil in 1982,Van Damme possessed the requisite good looks and persistent attitude to succed-unfortunately,he knew no languages other than French and Flemmish.With informal English studies came a variety of jobs-taxi driver and limo driver,nightclub bouncer,pizza delivery boy,carpet layer and personal trainer.However,Jean-Claude's dream continued to elude him untill an impromptu display of his martial arts prowess for a startled Menahem Golan,then CEO of Menahem Pictures,outside a chic Hollywood restaurant won the determined performer his first role.Van Damme made his feature film debut starring in Cannon Films 1987 release Bloodsport.Its success ushered in a wave of action thrillers : (Cyborg,Kickboxer,Death Warrant and Lionheart.Numerous studio films followed starting with Double Impact,Universal Soldier,Nowhere to Run,Hard Target,(directed by John Woo),Street Fighter,Sudden Death,The Quest (written and directed by Van Damme),Maximum Risk,and the blockbuster Timecop.The success of this young Belgian can be traced to his ability to appeal to all ages and genders and his larger-than-life image that captures the imagination of moviegoers worldwide.............