Biography of actor jean-claude van damme

Nicknamed " The Muscles from Brussels ", he is widely regarded as an icon of action and martial arts cinema. Born and raised in Brussels , his father enrolled him in a Shotokan karate school at the age of ten, which led Van Damme to earn his black belt in karate at the age of eighteen, and the rank of 2nd- dan black belt. Belgium bodybuilding title in With the desire of becoming an actor, he moved to the United States in , where he worked on several films, until he got his break as the lead in the martial arts film Bloodsport At the height of his career, he was one of the biggest action movie stars in the world, and one of the most successful martial arts actors of the s and s, alongside Steven Seagal.

During the late s and early s, his popularity declined. He mostly appeared in limited theatrical releases or direct-to-video films.

Jean-claude van damme date of birth

During this time, he starred in Replicant , for which he was nominated for a Video Premiere Award for Best Actor. The film is considered the best outing from within Van Damme's direct-to-video career. After JCVD , he began mixing things up, starring in comedies, and voicing kids animations, all the while keeping the action going.

He was married to Maria Rodriguez from until they divorced in Then he was married to Cynthia Derderian from until they divorced in