Jean-Claude Van Damme Biography

Belgian-born film star Jean-Claude Van Damme can be called an actor, although it would be more accurate to describe him as a bodybuilder and kickboxer. It evidently wasn't in the genes; Van Damme's father was an accountant and flower salesman. Taking up the study of Shotokan karate at the age of ten, Van Damme went on to win the middleweight championship of the European Professional Karate Association, where he thrilled one and all with his 360-degree leap-kick. Cashing in on his fame, the 18-year-old Van Damme launched the California Gym in Brussels. When he moved to L.A., he had 7,000 dollars to his name and spoke only French and Flemish. At first, he took many odd jobs, the least prepossessing of which was as a carpet layer. Van Damme's first film was a bit part in Chuck Norris' Missing in Action (1984). Groomed for stardom by Cannon Films' Menahem Golan, Van Damme became a big box-office commodity via such epics as No Retreat, No Surrender (1986); Bloodsport (1988); Cyborg (1989); Kickboxer (1989), which he co-wrote; Lionheart (1990); and Universal Soldier (1992). Fully cognizant of his own histrionic limitations, Van Damme didn't branch out into comedy or "sensitive" roles as has Arnold Schwarzenegger; when starring in the popular futuristic-action film Timecop (1994), Van Damme wisely left the acting to villain Ron Silver. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

• 1. Walker: I'm still kicking. I must be on Broadway!
  From Timecop. Submitted by Nick S (19 days ago)

• 1. Col. Guile: Well I'm gonna get on my boat and I'm gonna kick that son-of-a-bitch Bison's ass so hard that the next Bison wannabe is gonna feel it. Now who wants to go home and WHO WANTS TO GO WITH ME?!
  From Street Fighter. Submitted by Baurushan J (46 days ago)

• 1. Col. Guile: You lost your balls.
  From Street Fighter. Submitted by Baurushan J (46 days ago)

• 1. Col. Guile: Anytime dickhead!
  From Street Fighter. Submitted by Baurushan J (46 days ago)

• 1. Master Croc: Vengeance is served!
  From Kung Fu Panda 2. Submitted by Jed O (8 months ago)

• 1. Col. Guile: No weapon, Bison? What happened to the purity of unarmed combat?
  2. Bison: This is merely superconductor electromagnetism. Surely you've heard of it. It levitates bullet trains from Tokyo to Osaka. It levitates my desk, where I ride the saddle of the world. And it levitates... me!
  From Street Fighter. Submitted by John P (9 months ago)