Jean-Claude Van Damme

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Jean-Claude Van Damme

Jean-Claude Van Damme
Statistics
Realname	Jean-Claude Camille Francois Van Varenburg
Nickname	The Muscles From Brussels
Height	5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m)
Weight	185 lbs (84 kg)
Nationality	Belgium
Birth date	October 18, 1960 (1960-10-18) (age 47)
Birth place	Sint-Agatha-Berchem, Brussels, Belgium
Style	Kickboxing
Team	Team Goetz
Kickboxing Record
Total fights	16
Wins	15
Wins by KO	15
Losses	1
Draws	0
No contests	0

Jean-Claude Van Damme (born October 18, 1960) is a Belgian martial artist, and actor who is best known for his large catalogue of action movies. His Belgian background combined with his physique gave rise to his nickname The Muscles from Brussels. Van Damme has also been called the "King of the Belgians" due to his international superstardom.

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Early life 1.2 Fight career 1.3 Early films 1.4 Mainstream films 1.5 Other roles and work 1.6 Health 1.7 On-screen nudity 1.8 An "abstract thinker" 1.9 Personal life 1.10 Trivia 2 Kickboxing/Full-Contact Record: 15-1 (15 Knockouts) 3 Filmography 4 Further reading 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Van Damme was born Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg^[1] (also spelled Varenburg)^[2] in Berchem-Sainte-Agathe (Brussels), Belgium, the son of Eliana and Eugène Van Varenberg, who was an accountant and owned a flower shop.^[3][4] He began martial arts at the age of ten, enrolled by his father in a shotokan karate school.^[5] He eventually earned his black belt in karate,^[6] later winning the European Professional Karate Association's middleweight championship in a stunning upset vs. the former champion Michael J. Heming^[5] (although he has claimed that he was "twice world champion"^[7]). He also started lifting weights to improve his physique, which eventually led to a Mr. Belgium bodybuilding title.^[8] At the age of 16 he took up ballet, which he studied for five years. He says of ballet that it "is an art, but it's also one of the most difficult sports. If you can survive a ballet workout, you can survive a workout in any other sport."^[9]

[edit] Fight career

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Van Damme's karate teacher and coach was Master Claude Goetz. According to an article written by Don Warrener for FIGHTINGARTS, Goetz is one of the pioneers of European karate and studied under Tsutomu Oshima, a disciple of Gichin Funakoshi. Jean-Claude studied in Goetz's dojo in Brussels, Belgium. Under Goetz's guidance, Van Damme developed an impressive array of kicks and strikes. Van Damme has also studied Taekwondo and Muay Thai, along with Shotokan Karate.

In 1976, at the age of 16, Jean-Claude made his full-contact debut under his birth name, Jean Claude Van Varenberg. Fighting at an event sanctioned by the European Karate Union (EKU) in Brussels, Jean-Claude overcame a shakey start to stop fellow-countryman, Toon van Oostrum in 46 seconds. Master Goetz realized his young pupil needed more schooling before he was ready to compete again.

In 1978, after two serious years of training, 18 year old Jean-Claude entered his first EKU tournament in Antwerp, Belgium in the Beginner's Division. Now equiped with more confidence and skill, Jean-Claude had little trouble in winning the tournament. He scored three victories; an 18 second knockout over German-born prospect Eric "Basel" Strauss, a 39 second stoppage over Michel Juvillier (Juvillier quit), and a 12 second stoppage of Orlando Lang.

Two months later at a tournament in Iseghem, Belgium, sanctioned by the World-All Styles Karate Organization (WAKO), Van Damme won his second Beginner's championship with first round stoppages over fellow-countrymen Emile Leibman and Cyrille Nollet. The WAKO was formed in Europe in 1975, under the leadership of Germany's George Bruckner and Mike Anderson of the United States. Brucker was based in Berlin, Germany and was a tae-kwon-do and karate instructor. Officially the WAKO classified its full-contact promotions as amateur, however, competitors were given substantial "training fees". The WAKO held their world tournaments in both Long Beach, California and Orlando, Florida in the 1970s.

Fighting under the WAKO sanctioning body, Van Damme scored victories over Andre Robaeys, Jacques Piniarski, and Rolf Risberg; under WAKO rules which differed from those in the United States. Judo throws, footsweeps were permitted, although thigh kicks were not. There were no minimum kick requirements, and bouts were sometimes held on an open mat, instead of a roped ring. World Title bouts lasted six rounds, while contender bouts lasted five. Once a year, top competitors were required to participate in two-round, tournament syle eliminations to determine the year's top ten in each division.

In 1979, Jean-Claude, took his 9-0 (9 knockouts) record to Orlando, Florida to compete in the WAKO World Full-Contact Championships. In his first tournament match (scheduled for 2-2 minute rounds)in the middleweight division, he met another unbeaten fighter Sherman Bergman, 7-0 (7 knockouts), from Florida (USA). After being knocked down in the opening moments of the bout, Van Damme came back to knock out Bergman with an axe-kick. In his next match, Van Damme stopped Portugal's Gilberto (Gil) Diaz at the half minute mark of the first round. In the semi-finals, Van Damme lost a 2-round decision to fellow countryman, Patrick Teugels.

Returning to Europe, Van Damme fought in a two independent events sanctioned by the European Professional Karate Association (EPKA), in which he knocked out Algeria's Mustapha Ahmad Benamou and Bekim Moussa Muhammad.

Van Damme's big break came on March 8, 1980 in Brussels, Belgium, on a Professional Karate Association (PKA) event, in which France's Dominique Valera met the United States, Dan Macaruso for the PKA World Heavyweight Kickboxing Title. After Macaruso defeated Valera by 6th round knockout, Van Damme knocked out France's Georges Verlugels in 2 rounds to win the "Professional" European Middleweight Kickboxing Championship.

According to an article written by Mike Anders, founder of Professional Karate Magazine, based on his victory over Verlugels, " Van Damme was definitely an upcoming prospect." Multiple European Full-Contact Champion Geet Lemmens supported Anders opinion.

However, by now, Van Damme had his sights on a motion-picture career. Before he retired from active competition, he requested a rematch with Patrick Teugels, the only man to defeat him. Teugels was now rated 2nd in the world in the middleweight division by the WAKO. The rematch in Brussels was scheduled for 5-two minute rounds. At the bell, Van Damme came out punching and kicking. His overwhelming aggression was too much for Teugels and the match was halted in under the 2-minute mark (A video of this fight now appears on aol.videos). Following the victory, Jean-Claude retired from active competition with a 15-1 (15 knockouts) record.

Once his film stardom took off, controversy arose regarding Van Damme's fight career. Researchers were unable to uncover any of Van Damme's matches. This was due to the fact that his entire full-contact career was under his birth name of Van Varenberg.

[edit] Early films

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Van Damme co-appeared with Franco Bocchimuzzo, who competed with Dolph Lundgren for the part of Ivan Drago in Rocky IV, as an extra in Breakin' during one of the breakdance scenes. In 1985, he played Ivan Krushensky in No Retreat, No Surrender, which starred Kurt McKinney in the starring role. The director of the film, Patrick Passis, was a close friend.

Van Damme was scheduled to play the part of the camouflaged extraterrestrial monster in the Arnold Schwarzenegger action film Predator, but wearing the heavy alien costume in the jungle was too difficult, and Van Damme, unhappy with his role, left the production. How he left the picture is disputed: some sources say he quit, others say he was replaced when the character was revised. According to Jesse Ventura's autobiography, he was fired for intentionally injuring a stuntman. Van Damme claims he intentionally got fired so he could move on to other movies.

Van Damme's breakthrough role came in Bloodsport, a film that earned him a nomination as "Worst New Star" in a tabloid's media 1988 Golden Raspberry Awards. The critics were unimpressed, but Bloodsport proved to be Van Damme's stepping stone to more lucrative roles. The movie became a cult classic and is seen as one of the major contributors to the rise in popularity of Mixed Martial Arts.

Van Damme became well known for his ability to do full splits while performing stunts, and his better than average flexibility, even for a martial arts practitioner. Many of his movies feature scenes showcasing him performing such splits.

[edit] Mainstream films

Van Damme worked his way up to Hollywood mainstream in the 1990s, often working with acclaimed foreign directors. Notable films include Bloodsport (1988) Kickboxer (1989), Double Impact (1991), Universal Soldier (1992), Nowhere to Run (1992), Hard Target (1993), Sudden Death (1995) and his most critically acclaimed work, Timecop (1994). These films have earned over $1 billion worldwide, earning him a place in the action film world along with others like Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jet Li, Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee.

He also wrote, directed and starred in The Quest (1996).

[edit] Other roles and work

In late 2007 Van Damme was featured as part of the "What's Your Game?" national television commercial series for World of Warcraft along with Mr T., Verne Troyer, Willy Toledo, and William Shatner. He represented the Mage class.

[edit] Health

Van Damme had troubles with cocaine during 1995, entering a month-long rehab program in 1996 but leaving it only after a week.^[10] He is also reported to have experienced bipolar disorder.^[10] A turning point in his health issues came in late 1997, after having signed divorce papers charging him with spousal abuse, and drug addiction.

“	The former action hero says he had bipolar disorder but didn't know it until he became suicidal. He was diagnosed with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder and was placed on sodium valproate, which he calls "that simple salt".	”

[edit] On-screen nudity

Van Damme has had nude appearances in many of his films, though his nudity has only been shown from the rear. He first appeared nude in Bloodsport, with numerous such appearances in his subsequent films, including a lengthy one in Universal Soldier.

Van Damme has expressed pride in his body and especially his posterior, often citing the appeal of his body. Van Damme is on record as saying, "If you have a decent body why not show it?" This was the subject of parody in the television show Friends, where Van Damme, guest-starring as himself, tells Rachel and Monica that "I can crush a walnut with my butt."

[edit] An "abstract thinker"

In the French-speaking world, Van Damme is well known for the picturesque aphorisms that he delivers on a wide range of topics (personal well-being, ecology, etc.) in a sort of Zen franglais. ^[11] Most iconic and often quoted was his repeated use of the English word aware during an interview for a French channel, to convey the notion of self-awareness as a key to success.

[edit] Personal life

Van Damme has been married five times, including two marriages with his current wife, bodybuilder and fitness competitor Gladys Portugues. He is said to be a big admirer of and close friends with the underground fighting champions 'The Cobra' Chris Banister and Julian 'Dynamite' Fox. Van Damme has 3 children: Kristopher born 1987, Nicholas born 1995, and Bianca born 1990.

Spouses:

• Gladys Portugues (25 June 1999 -Present)
• Darcy LaPier (3 February 1994 - November 1997) (divorced) 1 child
• Gladys Portugues (3 January 1987 - 1992) (divorced) 2 children
• Cynthia Derderian (24 August 1985 - 1986) (divorced)
• Maria Rodriguez (25 August 1980 - 1984) (divorced)

[edit] Trivia

Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

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• Speaks some Dutch, English, French, Spanish, and German.^{[citation needed]}

• Likes classical music and his favorite composer is Beethoven.

• He has a holiday home in Westport, Ireland, and frequently visits the area.

• The Mortal Kombat character Johnny Cage was modeled after him. Interestingly, Van Damme turned down the part of Johnny Cage in the Mortal Kombat movie (originally intended for Brandon Lee before his untimely death) to play Guile in Street Fighter.

• Learned English from watching the popular children's television show, The Flintstones.

[edit] Kickboxing/Full-Contact Record: 15-1 (15 Knockouts)

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Year	Opponent	Event	Result	Method	Location
1977	Toon Van Oostrum	European Karate Union(EKU) Event	won	knockout 1 round	Brussels, Belgium
1978	Eric Bruno Strauss	European Karate Union (EKU)Tournament	won	knockout 1 round	Antwerp, Belgium
1978	Michel Juvillier	European Karate Union(EKU) Tournament	won	knockout 1 round	Antwerp, Belgium
1978	Orlando Lang	European Karate Union(EKU) Open Tournament	won	technical knockout 1 round	Antwerp, Belgium
1978	Emile Leibman	World All-Style Karate Organization (WAKO)Tournament	won	knockout 1 round	Iseghem, Belgium
1978	Cyrille Nollet	World All-Style Karate Organization(WAKO) Tournament	won	technical knockout 1 round	Iseghem, Belgium
1979	Andre Robaeys	World All-Style Karate Organization((WAKO) promotion	won	knockout 1 round	Brussels, Belgium
1979	Jacques Piniarski	World All-Style Karate Organization (WAKO)promotion	won	knockout 1 round	Brussels, Belgium
1979	Rolf Risberg	World-All Style Karate Organization (WAKO) promotion	won	knockout 1 round	Brussels, Belgium
1979	Sherman Bergman	WAKO World Full-Contact Championships	won	knockout 1 round	Orlando, Florida
1979	Gilberto (Gil) Diaz	WAKO World Full-Contact Championships	won	technical knockout 1 round	Orlando, Florida
1979	Patrick Teugels	WAKO World Full-Contact Championships	lost	decision 2 rounds	Orlando, Florida
1980	Mustapha-Ahmad Benamou	European Professional Karate Association (EPKA) promotion	won	knockout 1 round	Brussels, Belgium
1980	Bekim-Moussa Muhammad	European Professional Karate Association (EPKA) promotion	won	technical knockout 1 round	Brussels, Belgium
1980(03/08)	Georges Verlugels	Professional Karate Association (PKA) promotion	won	knockout 2 rounds	Brussels, Belgium
1980	Patrick Teugels	WAKO Tournament	won	technical knockout 1 round	Brussels, Belgium

[edit] Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Director
1983	Rue Barbare	Background performer (police arrival sequence)	Behat, GillesGilles Behat
1984	Breakin'	Guy dancing in the background	Silberg, JoelJoel Silberg
1984	Monaco Forever	Gay Karate Man	Levy, William A.William A. Levy
1985	No Retreat, No Surrender	Ivan Krushensky	Yuen, CoreyCorey Yuen
1988	Black Eagle	Andrei	Carson, EricEric Carson
1988	Bloodsport	Frank Dux	Arnold, NewtNewt Arnold
1989	Kickboxer	Kurt Sloane	DiSalle, MarkMark DiSalle, David Worth
1989	Cyborg	Gibson Rickenbacker	Pyun, AlbertAlbert Pyun
1990	Death Warrant	Louis Burke	Serafian, DeranDeran Serafian
1990	Lionheart	Lyon Gaultier	Lettich, SheldonSheldon Lettich
1991	Double Impact	Alex Wagner/Chad Wagner	Lettich, SheldonSheldon Lettich
1992	Universal Soldier	Luc Deveraux/GR44	Emmerich, RolandRoland Emmerich
1993	Hard Target	Chance Boudreaux	Woo, JohnJohn Woo
1993	Last Action Hero	Cameo Appearance	McTiernan, JohnJohn McTiernan
1993	Nowhere to Run	Sam Gillen	Harmon, RobertRobert Harmon
1994	Street Fighter	Colonel William F. Guile	de Souza, Steven E.Steven E. de Souza
1994	Timecop	Max Walker	Hyams, PeterPeter Hyams
1995	Sudden Death	Darren McCord	Hyams, PeterPeter Hyams
1996	Maximum Risk	Alain Moreau/Mikhail Suverov	Lam, RingoRingo Lam
1996	The Quest	Christopher Dubois	Van Damme Jean-Claude Van Damme
1997	Double Team	Jack Quinn	Hark, TsuiTsui Hark
1998	Legionnaire	Alain Lefevre	MacDonald, PeterPeter MacDonald
1998	Knock Off	Marcus Ray	Hark, TsuiTsui Hark
1999	Desert Heat (1999 film)	Eddie Lomax	Avildsen, John G.John G. Avildsen
1999	Universal Soldier: The Return	Luc Devereaux	Rodgers, MicMic Rodgers
2001	The Order	Rudy Cafmeyer/Charles Le Vaillant	Lettich, SheldonSheldon Lettich
2001	Replicant	Edward "The Torch" Garrotte/Replicant	Lam, RingoRingo Lam
2002	Derailed	Jacques Kristoff	Misiorowski, BobBob Misiorowski
2003	In Hell	Kyle LeBlanc	Lam, RingoRingo Lam
2004	Wake of Death	Ben Archer	Martinez, PhillipePhillipe Martinez
2004	Narco	Jean's Ghost by Lenny	Aurouet, TristanTristan Aurouet, Gilles Lellouche
2006	The Hard Corps	Phillip Sauvage	Lettich, SheldonSheldon Lettich
2006	Second in Command	Sam Keenan	Fellows, SimonSimon Fellows
2006	Sınav	Charles	Sorak, Omer FarukOmer Faruk Sorak
2007	Until Death	Anthony Stowe	Fellows, SimonSimon Fellows
2008	The Shepherd: Border Patrol	Jack Robideaux	Florentine, IsaacIsaac Florentine
2008	J.C.V.D.	Himself	El Mechri, MabroukMabrouk El Mechri
2009	Full Love[12]	Himself	Van Damme Jean-Claude Van Damme

[edit] Further reading

• WAKO: MARTIAL ARTS (Traditions, History, People, by John Corcoran & Emil Farkas. Gallery Books, W.H. Smith Publishers, Inc. 112 Madison, New York City 10016. 1988. Pages: 60, 265.
• PKA World Heavyweight Title: MARTIAL ARTS, by John Corcoran & Emil Farkas. 1988. Pages: 285-286.
• EKU: MARTIAL ARTS, by John Corcoran & Emil Farkas. 1988. Pages: 210, 393.
• Inside Kung-Fu Presents: Martial Artists One on One, March 1990: Jean-Claude Van Damme, pages 16-25, by John Steven Soet.
• KarateKung-Fu Illustrated:April, 1991, Gunning for Van Damme, by Tim Vandehey.
• Xuat Tinh Som (Tre Today News), December 31, 2007: Jean-Claude Van Damme.

[edit] See also

• List of male kickboxers

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official site (English)
• Jean-Claude Van Damme at the Internet Movie Database