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Birth name: Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg
Date of birth: 18 October 1960
Place of birth: Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Brussels, Belgium
Nickname: Muscles from Brussels
Credited As: Jean-Claude Vandam, J. Claude van Damme
Height: 5' 10" (1.78 m)
Marriage history:
Gladys Portugues (25 June 1999 -
present)
Darcy LaPier (3 February 1994 -
November 1997) (divorced) 1 child
Gladys Portugues (1986 - 1992)
(divorced) 2 children
Cynthia Derderian (1985 - 1985)
(divorced)
Maria Rodriguez (1978 - 1984)
(divorced)
His fight scenes are so intense that he
won't film them in the U.S. for fear of being sued.
Thrilling one and all with his 360-degree
ultimate leaping & super flying karate kicks.
In 1989, he was sued for "wilfully"
gouging the eye of an extra in a swordfight while filming Cyborg (1989).
Won a court case filed against him by
martial arts legend Frank Dux, who claimed he collaborated with Van
Damme on his 1996 directorial debut The Quest (1996/I), only for Van
Damme to deny him any share of the profits. His evidence was lost in an
earthquake. Coincidentally, Van Damme played Dux in his debut Bloodsport
(1988).
Former European Professional Karate
Association middleweight champion.
On July 10, 2000, Van Damme was sentenced to
a 90 day anti-drunk-driving class, $1,2000 fine, 3 years probation and a
90 day revocation of his license after pleading no contest in Beverly
Hills for a September 23, 1999 DUI arrest.
Once said he learned to speak English by
watching the cartoon "The Flintstones" (1960).
In Jesse Ventura's book, he mentions Van
Damme as having played Predator (1987) monster until he was fired and
replaced by Kevin Peter Hall.
Studied classical ballet for five years
Speaks Flemish, English, French, Spanish and
German.
In his late teens he opened a Gym called
California Fitness Center.
Was student of Dominique Valera.
Was a European Middle Weight Champion in
Karate in his late teens.
Likes classical music and his favorite
composer is Beethoven.
He became a European Karate Champion in 1979
and went to USA to win the World Championship. He didn't win. Few months
later he had a rematch with the opponent he lost against in World
Championship and he won in less than 2 minutes.
Can lift 166 kg on a bench.
Have own production company Long Road
Productions (also known as 777 Films Corp).
Was the original choice to play the title
character in Predator (1987).
Related to Screenwriter Adam Burnett through
marriage.
Former sparring partner of Chuck Norris in
the early 80s.
Children: Kristopher (b. 1987) and Bianca
(b. 1990) with Gladys Portugues; son Nicholas (b. 1995) with 'Darcy La
Pier' .
He was the inspiration for the character
"Johnny Cage" from Mortal Kombat. One of "Johnny
Cage's" special moves was where he did the splits and punched his
oppenent in the groin, as seen when Van Damme's character, Frank Dux,
punches his large sumo opponent in Bloodsport (1988).
Under mounds of make-up, he was going to
play the title alien villain in "Predator," having even been
on set for the shoot, but was replaced by Kevin Peter Hall (who,
incidentally, was a foot and a half taller than Van Damme) when director
John McTiernan and producer Joel Silver decided to go in a different
direction.
As the original choice to play the role of
the alien hunter itself in the movie 'Predator', he hit a few personal
snags. For starters, he was not happy with the fact that his face would
not be shown on camera, and that he would be having an uncredited
special fx role. He was also not fond of the original monster suit...he
frequently passed out due to heat exhaustion. Because he complained so
much and was very uncooperative, he was fired from the film. When Stan
Winston's Predator design came in, Kevin Peter Hall was chosen to play
the title role and filled it perfectly. Supposedly, Van Damme has no
regrets on backing out of the Predator project.
Recently purchased an apartment in
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Knocked out Strauss in 18 seconds in 1978.
In 1979 knocked-out Leibman in one round.
Often states Charlie Chaplin as the first
great "action star".
Adopted 'Van Damme' to his name from one of
his friend's father name considering it's punchy, short, and clear than
his original name 'Van Veren Berg'.
