Birth name:
- Jean Claude Camille Francois van Varenburg
Sometimes credited as:
- J. Claude van Damme
- Jean-Claude VanDam
JCvanDamme.net
Place of birth: Sint Agatha Berchem, Belgium, Europe
J.C. was very shy as a child and 12 years old as his father took him to Claude Goetz, a Karate trainer. J.C. lacking cofidence starts training, and difficult as it seemed, he turned out to have talent. He trains a lot, and also does bodybuilding. At the age of 17, he grew very confident, and strong. At that age, he also starts dancing, and competing for Karate. Opponents fear his fast and agile legs, and in 1979, he won the European Championship. After that he participated the WAKO Championships in Florida, but lost to another Belgian, Teugels. Months later J.C. would have his revenge.
After his competing he started his own gym. He trained in Belgium and USA, but was looking forward to a movie carreer. In the meantime, he'd met his first wife. Difficult as it was to become an actor, he had various jobs, such as bodyguard, pizzadeliverer and chauffeur.
J.C. started his movie carreer after meeting Chuck Norris, who was willing to give him a small role in Missing in Action 1. But the real starring role would come in 1986, as J.C. convinced Menahem Golan that he was suited for lead roles, and Bloodsport 1 was a fact! Many movies would follow. Mostly action movies, but also some others, SF, thriller and drama. J.C. style was unique, 'cause he combined his Karate with Tae Kwon Do and Kickboxing. And met his second wife who gave him a child. J.C. became a father and also known as "The Muscles from Brussels". Van Damme is also ready to direct, produce and choreograph.
Miscellanous crew
Kumite / Bloodsport 2 (200?) (rumour)
The Sheperd (2007) -aka Snakeskin
Until Death (2007) -aka Til Death
-aka Sideburns of Death
Sinav (2007)
The Hard Corps (2006)
Second in Command (2006)
After Death (2004) -aka Wake of Death
Narco (2004)
In Hell (2003) -aka Shu -aka Savage
Derailed (2002)
Breakfast (2001)
The Order (2001)
Replicant (2001)
Coyote Moon (1999)
-aka Desert Heat -aka Inferno
Universal Soldier 2: The Return (1999)
Path of the Dragon (1998)
Legionaire (1998)
Knock Off (1998)
Double Team (1997) -aka The Colony
Friends (1996)
Maximum Risk (1996)
-aka The Bloodstone
-aka The Exchange
The Quest (1996)
Sudden Death (1995)
Kickboxer 4: The Agressor (1994)
Streetfighter: The Movie (1994) (game)
Streetfighter: The Movie (1994)
-aka The Battle for Shadaloo
-aka The Ultimate Battle
Timecop (1994)
Hard Target (1993)
Last Action Hero (1993)
Nowhere to Run (1993)
Cyborg 2: Glass Shadow (1993)
Universal Soldier (1992)
Double Impact (1991)
Kickboxer 2: The Road Back (1991)
The Best of the Martial Arts Film (1990)
Death Warrant (1990)
Wrong Bet (1990) -aka Lionheart
-aka AWOL: Absent Without Leave
Kickboxer (1989)
Cyborg 1 (1989)
Black Eagle (1988)
Bloodsport (1988)
Santa Barbara (1988)
Karate Tiger 1 (1985)
-aka No Retreat, No Surrender 1
Monaco Forever (1984)
Breakin' (1984) -aka Breakdance
Rue Barbare (1984)
Missing in Action (1984)
:
: Anthony Stowe
: Charles
: Patrick Sauvage
: Sam Keenan
: Ben Archer
: Himself
: Kyle LeBlanc
: Jacques Kristoff
: Himself (guest)
: Rudy // Writer
: The Torch / Replicant
: Eddie Lomax // Producer
: Luc Deveraux // Producer
: Himself
: Alain Lefevre // Story / Producer
: Marcus Ray
: Jack Quinn
: Himself (episode #2.12)
: Alain Moreau / Mikhail Suverov
: Christopher Dubois // Story / Director
: Darren McCord
: Kurt Sloane (archive material)
: Colonel William F. Guille
: Colonel William F. Guille
: Max Walker
: Chance Boudreaux
: Himself (cameo)
: Sam Gillen
: Gibson Rickenbacker (archive material)
: Luc Deveraux
: Alex / Chad Wagner // Screenplay / Producer /
Fight coordinator
: (characters)
: Himself
: Louis Burke
: Lyon // Screenplay / Story / Fight coordinator
: Kurt Sloan // Story / Fight coordinator
: Gibson Rickenbacker
: Andrei
: Frank Dux
: Male stripper
: Ivan
: Gay Karate man
: Passerby in first dance sequence
: (extra at police arrival sequence)
: Stunts
