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Birth name: Jean-Claude Camille Francois Van Varenburg Date of birth: 18 October 1960 Place of birth: Sint-Agatha Berchem, Belgium Height: 173cm (5'8) |
| Trivia:
- His fight scenes are so intense that he won't film them in the U.S. for fear of being sued. - He appeared in the music video and sang in the choir on the song "Voices That Care." -In 1989, he was sued for "willfully" gouging the eye of an extra in
a swordfight while
- Won a court case filed against him by martial arts legend Frank Dux, who claimed he xxxcollaborated with Van Damme on his 1996 directorial debut The Quest, only for Van xxxDamme to deny him any share of the profits. His evidence was lost in an earthquake. xxxCoincidentally, Van Damme played Dux in his debut Bloodsport (1988). - Former European Professional Karate Association middleweight champion. - Once said he learned to speak English by watching the cartoon "The Flintstones." - In Jesse Ventura's book, he mentions Van Damme as having played the Predator monster xxxuntil he was fired and replaced by Kevin Peter Hall. - Dropped out of school at age 16. - Karate with Dominique Valera. - Ballet for five years after taking karate. - Speaks English, French, Flemmish, and Italian. - Took the name Frank Cujo for a short time. - Was Chuck Norris' personal trainer. |
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Spouse: - Gladys Portugues (25 June 1999 - present) (remarried) - Darcy LaPier (February 1994 - ?) (divorced); 1 son - Cynthia Derderian (1986 - 19??) (divorced) - Maria Rodriguez (1984 - 19??) (divorced) - Gladys Portugues (? - 1993) (divorced) |
| Personal:
- Nickname: The muscles from Brussels. - On July 10, 2000, Van Damme was sentenced to a 90 day anti-drunk-driving class, xxx$1,2000 fine, 3 yrs. probation and a 90 day revocation of his license after pleading no xxxcontest in Beverly Hills for a September 23, 1999 DUI arrest. - On November 10, 1997 Van Damme's wife, LaPier, filed papers against him for spousal xxxabuse and cocaine addiction. Van Damme had started divorce proceedings in June. - December 1996, enters substance abuse clinic in Southern California.Checks out after a xxxweek. - Father: Eugene Van Varenberg (florist)
- Son: Kristopher Van Damme, born 1987; mother, Gladys Portugues
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Biography: Born in Berchem-Sainte Agathe, Belgium and raised in Brussels, Belgium, Jean-Claude adopted the name "Van Damme" from an early mentor. At the urging of his father, he began early instruction in ballet and karate and would be later invited to join the Paris Opera as a dancer. However, Van Damme instead chose to focus on karate and body-building, quitting school to operate his very own successful fitness center, The California Gym in Brussels. He found fame in his native Belgium as a prized athlete and health club entrepreneur. He then was cast in the French-made film Rue Barbare and became hooked on becoming an actor. Shorty after he left Belgium in search of a film career in Hong Kong. |
| After little success breaking into the Hong Kong martial arts film industry Van Damme left for Hollywood in 1982. Sucess did not come for several years and during this time he worked as taxi and limo driver, nightclub bouncer, pizza delivery boy, carpet layer and personal trainer (to people such as Chuck Norris). However, Jean-Claude's dream continued to elude him until he did a 'spin' kick at Menahem Golan (then CEO of Menahem Pictures) outside of a Hollywood restaurant. Both startled and impressed Van Damme was quickly signed to Bloodsport. And the rest you say, is history. |
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