He received his black belt in Shotokan karate from Claude Goets in 1978 and briefly studied kickboxing in Paris with French karate king Dominique Valera. He won numerous tournament championships on the European karate circuit, including the European Professional Karate Association's middleweight championship.

By the age of 18, Jean owned his own gymnasium California Gym. His ballet training had also payed off, he was offered a place with the Paris Ballet, which he turned down. After doing several European television and film roles, Jean-Claude decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of becoming a star. His parents protested at his move to America but only because they were concerned for his welfare. After all, Jean-Claude was moving to Hollywood where he did not know a soul, he could barely speak English and he only had $2000 in his pocket.

The move was a nightmare for Jean. He changed his name to Frank Cujo and started taking English classes. He worked at a variety of jobs including a waiter, a pizza deliveryman, a masseur, a taxi driver, a limo driver, a bouncer, and a carpet layer. There were times when he was forced to sleep in his car and forage for food.

Jean first appeared in low-budget films such as "Monaco Forever", "Rue Barbare" and "No Retreat, No Surrender". It was this film that gave Van Damme the big break he so desired. He established himself as a commanding physical presence with awesome fighting and gymnastic prowess. His ability to deliver a kick to an opponent's head during a leaping, 360-degree turn became his signature move.

In 1985 Jean-Claude landed the lead role in "Bloodsport". When Bloodsport was completed, the original version was so bad the picture was shelved for almost two years. During that time he starred opposite Sho Kosugi in "Black Eagle", an espionage thriller. Van Damme refused to give up on "Bloodsport" though. He helped recut the film himself and proceeded to beg the producers to release it, and they relented."

Then Jean's dream came true. "Bloodsport", shot in Hong Kong on a meager $1.5 million budget, became U.S. box-office hit in the spring of 1988. Internationally it made about $30 million.

Jean-Claude estimates that he earned an average of $70,000 per picture for his first seven leading roles, a collection of films that starts with Bloodsport and moves on through Black Eagle, Cyborg, Kickboxer, Death Warrant, Lionheart and Double Impact. Then came Universal Soldier, for which he was paid $1 million to star alongside the giant Dolph Lundgren in a role that may have cemented the public's perception of Van Damme as undersized.

From then on, he made no less that $3 million per picture, peaking at $6.2 million for "Street Fighter". Then came the smash hit "Timecop" where he plays a time-travelling cop who stops criminals from tampering with history. Next, he was paid $4 million for "Sudden Death", in which he portrays an ex-fireman who rises to the occasion when terrorists take over a hockey arena.

Next Jean-Claude starred in and directed "The Quest", which co-starred action hero legend Roger Moore (aka James Bond). This was followed by "Maximum Risk" which co-starred the sexy Species star - Natasha Henstridge. Van Damme plays a set of twins, one trying to solve the murder of the other. Jean-Claude was next joined by Dennis Rodman in "Double Team".

In 1998, Van Damme starred with Rob Schneider in "Knock Off". Jean-Claude played a criminal who sells illegally copied merchandise who goes straight. He then becomes embroiled in a knock off conspiracy. In 1999 he did his first sequel by starring in "Universal Soldier: The Return".

Film and Television Appearances

Family Life

Jean-Claude's attitudes towards women are unique. He once told a reporter, "I'm a little old-fashioned when it comes to women. I like women to be there for me. I like it when they cook - you know, the smell of food in the kitchen. Women just don't cook anymore. I like rabbit stews and horse meat."