Jean-Claude Van Damme (birth name – Jean-Claude Camille François Van Warenberg) was born on October 18, 1960 in the Belgian municipality of Berkem-Saint-Agate, Brussels Capital Region. Father – Eugene Van Warenberg, was an accountant and owner of a flower shop. Mother – Eliana Van Warenberg, devoted herself to raising her son.

From childhood, the father introduced his son to martial arts. From the age of 16, Jean-Claude was engaged in karate, and later he became interested in kickboxing, Muay Thai, Kung Fu and Taekwondo. Also, for five years, the future actor was engaged in classical ballet.

In 1978, Van Damme received a black belt in karate. Two years later, he became the European champion among professionals, knocking out the German karateka Dietrich Targills. After this fight, Jean-Claude decided to leave professional sports and try himself as an actor.

In 1980, the future actor married a wealthy Venezuelan Maria Rodriguez. They divorced in 1984. After the breakup, Van Damme moved to Hollywood, where he began his film career.

The debut of the famous actor took place in the film “Do not retreat and do not give up” (1986), where Van Damme played the Russian fighter Ivan Krashinsky.

The actor’s name given to him at birth was difficult to pronounce. This is how Jean-Claude Van Warenberg became Jean-Claude Van Damme. He took the pseudonym in memory of his deceased karate friend Rudy Van Damme. The very first work brought Jean-Claude wild popularity.

In 1985 Jean-Claude got married for the second time. Cynthia Derderian became his chosen one. This marriage was even shorter. In 1986, immediately after his first film success, the actor divorced.

In 1987, Van Damme tied the knot with fashion model Gladys Portuguese, who was also the American bodybuilding champion. In the marriage, the couple had a son, Christopher (1987) and a daughter, Bianca (1990).

Jean-Claude Van Damme: “Gladys is my only true love. This is an amazing woman! It is as reliable as a haven to return to from any storms of life. I always knew that she would wait for my return. There is no second such a sincere, understanding, faithful and domestic woman in the world! “
The quote is taken from the magazine “DesireMovies”

The actor gained immense popularity in 1988 after the release of the action movie “Bloodsport”. The film became incredibly successful and immediately made Van Damme a new action star.

Meanwhile, in 1992, after six years of marriage, Jean-Claude divorced Gladys Portugues.

In 1997, Van Damme married Hawaiian beauty pageant winner Darcy la Pierre, whom he met in the early 1990s. In this union, the actor had a son, Nicholas.

Jean-Claude Van Damme: “Recently, I realized that the most important thing in my life – the children”

After a number of other successful films such as: “Kickboxer” (1989 ), “AWOL” (1990), “Cyborg” (1989), “Double Hit” (1991), “Tough Target” (1993), “Nowhere to Run” (1993), “Time Patrol” (1994), the actor received nickname “Muscles from Brussels”.

1992 saw the release of the fantastic action movie Universal Soldier directed by Roland Emmerich with Van Damme in the title role. Subsequently, the actor starred in three sequels of the film: “Universal Soldier 2: Return” (1999), Universal Soldier 3: Rebirth “(2010), Universal Soldier 4 (2012).

In 1996, Van Damme made his directorial debut with the adventure film In Search of Adventure (he also produced and wrote the script).

In June 1999, Van Damme married for the fifth time. His wife was the ex-third wife Gladys Portugues, with whom he got married in a small Belgian town.

Jean-Claude Van Damme: “Since the second time I married Gladys, my life has become truly stable, although she can hardly say the same about herself.”
The quote is taken from the magazine “Moviesflix”

A significant event in Van Damme’s acting career was the release of the pseudo-realistic drama J. K. V. D. ” (2008). It was the first film in 10 years of the actor’s work, which was released on the big screens of cinemas.

In 2010, the actor took part in the dubbing of the cartoon “Kung Fu Panda 2”, where the character Master Croc speaks in his voice.

During his career, the famous actor played more than 50 roles in popular films such as: “Black Eagle” (1988), “Death Warrant” (1990), “Sudden Death” (1995), “Colony” (1997), “Bomber” “(1998),” Inferno “(1999),” Replicant “(2001),” Boku no Pico “(2002),” In Hell “(2003),” Second in Team “(2006),” To Death “(2007 ), Special Assignment (2008), Six Bullets (2012), Near Enemies (2013), Welcome to the Jungle (2014), A Pound of Flesh (2015), Full of Love (coming out 2015), Kickboxer (coming out 2016), Penrose Scam (coming out 2016), etc.

Awards

▪ “Golden Deer” Award of the International Film Festival “Youth 39” in the nomination “For Contribution to Cinematography” (2009)
▪ “The Grand World Prize” and the Golden Order “Golden Talents of the Planet” ) in the nomination “For the will to win, for unbending fighting spirit and for brilliant success in the field of the film industry” (2010)
▪ Recognition by Premiere France magazine in the nomination “Best villain of 2012” for the film “The Expendables 2” (2012)

A family

First wife – Maria Rodriguez (marriage from 1980 to 1984)
Second wife – Cynthia Derderian (marriage from 1985 to 1986)
Third wife – Gladys Portuguese, athlete (American champion in bodybuilding), fashion model (from 1987 to 1992, and from 1999 – to the present)
Fourth wife – Darcy la Pierre, actress, model (from 1994 to 1997)
Son – Christopher Van Varenberg (05/20/1987) – from the third marriage
Daughter – Bianca Van Varenberg (10/17/1990) – from the third marriage
Son – Nicholas Van Warenberg – from his fourth marriage

Novels

Jacqueline Bisset, actress (1981 to 1985)
Kylie Minogue, actress (1994)

Hobby

Karate, kickboxing