Last updated on: January 7, 2025
Jean-Claude Van Damme, commonly referred to as the “Muscles from Brussels,” is a legendary Belgian martial artist and action movie star born October 18, 1960 in Brussels. Famed for his impressive martial arts skills, Van Damme began training karate at age 10 before winning multiple championships such as European Karate Association title in 1979. Before taking his craft Hollywood way, Van Damme also earned Mr. Belgium in bodybuilding competitions.
Van Damme arrived in America in 1982 with hopes of realizing his dream of becoming a movie star. Following some early struggles, his breakthrough came with Bloodsport (1988), an instant classic martial arts film. This success led to more notable works like Kickboxer (1989), Universal Soldier (1992), and Timecop (1994) which introduced audiences to a unique blend of strength, agility, and emotional vulnerability that set Van Damme apart from typical action hero types.
Van Damme earned worldwide fame during the 80s and 90s as an action star thanks to films such as Cyborg, Lionheart, and Double Impact. Though his career experienced ups and downs, his critically acclaimed performance as James Casting’s voice in JCVD (2008) demonstrated his acting prowess while showing his comedic side by voicing characters for animated movies like Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022).
Off-screen, Van Damme is an avid supporter of animal rights and conservation. His global box office earnings of over $1 billion have made him an icon within action cinema and he continues to inspire fans around the globe.
As of January 2025, Jean-Claude Van Damme’s age is 64 years and 2 months old. His estimated net worth is $40 million, and he is 5 feet 9¾ inches (177 cm or 1.77 m) tall.
Bio / Wiki
Full Name
Jean-Claude-Camille Francois Van Varenberg
Nickname
Van Damme , Jean-Claude , Muscles from Brussels, JCVD.
Profession
Actor, Martial Artist, Film Producer, Director
Career
Debut
Woman Between Wolf and Dog
Best Known for
Universal Soldier and Street Fighter
Awards
- Razzie Awards:
- 1998: Winner for Worst Screen Couple (shared with Dennis Rodman for Double Team).
- 1989: Nominee for Worst New Star (Bloodsport).
- MTV Movie + TV Awards:
- 1992: Nominee for Most Desirable Male (Double Impact).
- 1993: Nominee for Most Desirable Male (Nowhere to Run).
- 1994: Nominee for Most Desirable Male (Hard Target).
- Toronto Film Critics Association Awards:
- 2008: Nominee for Best Performance, Male for JCVD.
- Chlotrudis Awards:
- 2009: Nominee for Best Actor for JCVD.
- DVD Exclusive Awards:
- 2001: Nominee for Best Actor for Replicant.
- Bravo Otto Awards:
- Nominated multiple times in the early 1990s for Best Actor (Schauspieler).
- Mammoth Film Festival:
- 2019: Nominee for Best Actor for We Die Young.
Personal Profile and Background Details
Date of Birth
18 October 1960
Age
As of today, Van Damme is 64 years, 2 months, and 22 days old.
Zodiac sign
Libra
Signature
Nationality
Belgian
Birth Place
Sint – Agatha – Berchem, Brussels, Belgium
Residence
Brussels, Belgium.
School / College / University
Jean-Claude Van Damme’s education emphasized martial arts over academics. From age 10, his father enrolled him in a Shotokan karate school where he trained intensively until earning a second Dan black belt by 18. Under Master Claude Goetz’s tutelage, Van Damme became a skilled competitor who even won the European Karate Championship!
Van Damme began his ballet training at 16, devoting five years to it as part of his martial arts and action film training. Additionally, weightlifting became part of his routine at this point, leading him to win Mr. Belgium bodybuilding title in 1978 – this well-rounded training laid the groundwork for both competitive success and iconic movie stunts in future movies.
Religion
We are not completely sure what religion he follows. He comes from a Jewish family.
Some people think that he converted to Islam but he didn’t. However, he admires Islamic teachings on health and nutrition. In a 2016 interview, he praised the Prophet Muhammad’s wisdom about healthy eating but hasn’t claimed any religious affiliation.
Race / Ethnicity
Flemish
Food Habits
Jean-Claude Van Damme uses a flexible yet healthful diet to support his active lifestyle. His focus includes whole foods like salmon, chicken, eggs, pasta, and plenty of greens (around 95% of his meals are greens!).
Following intuitive eating principles he enjoys six to eight small meals daily to stay energized; with salmon offering omega-3s and hummus offering fiber; while cheat treats like oatmeal cookies offer balance while supporting recovery via adding whey protein and fish oil supplements to his routine.
Hobbies
Listening to Classical Music, Weightlifting, and Ballet dance.
Physical Attributes and Measurements
Height
- In feet – 5′ 9¾”
- In Centimeters – 177 cm
- In meters – 1.77 m
Weight
- In kilograms – 87 kg
- In Pounds – 192 lbs
Body Measurements
- Chest Size: 43″
- Biceps Size: 15″
- Waist Size: 34″
Shoe size
10 (US)
Eye color
Green
Hair Color
Light Brown
Family
Wife
Gladys Portugues ((1987–1992, Again married in 1999)
Darcy Lapier (1994–1997)
Cynthia Derderial (1985 – 1986)
Maria Rodriguez ( 1980 – 1984)
Father
Eugene Van Varenberg (Florist , Accountant)
Mother
Eliana Van Varenberg
Siblings
Veronique Van Varenberg (Sister)
Veronique Van Varenberg, sister of Jean-Claude Van Damme, works at Versal in Brussels as a professional. Renowned for her networking abilities and social media skills, Veronique shares glimpses into her daily life via Instagram.
Children
Kris Van Damme (son)
Kris Van Damme was born May 20, 1987, to Jean-Claude Van Damme and fitness expert Gladys Portugues. Following in his father’s footsteps, Kris has made appearances in films like Universal Soldier and Welcome to the Jungle; often acting alongside his father himself.
Aside from acting he is a big Gym freak. He’s passionate about writing, directing, and supporting animal rights causes.
Now he is married to Suada Van Varenberg.
Bianca Van Damme (Daughter)
Bianca Van Damme, commonly referred to as Bianca Bree, is the daughter of Jean-Claude Van Damme and Gladys Portugues. Born October 17, 1990, in California, she grew up surrounded by athleticism – training in karate, kickboxing, ballet,t, and figure skating until a back injury forced her into acting roles such as The Shepherd and Welcome to the Jungle.
Additionally, she stays active in fitness, writes poetry, and shares her journey online – while honoring both her father’s legacy and the legacy of both parents.
Nicholas Van Varenberg (son)
Nic Van Damme was born on October 10th, 1995 to Van Damme and actress Darcy LaPier. Following in his father’s footsteps, Nic has appeared in films like Kickboxer: Retaliation and Darkness of Man (2024). While following a career path within action films, he’s also garnered public attention due to personal struggles he is coping with such as his 2017 legal incident.
From his mother, he has 2 half-siblings named Madison Snodgrass and Sterling Rice. He is very close with his 4 half-siblings.
Relationship & More
Marital Status
Married to Gladys Portugues
Affairs or dating history
Maria Rodriguez (1980 – 1984)
Cynthia Derdian (1985 – 1986)
Gladys Portugues (1987 – 1992) (1999 – present )
Darcy Lapier (1992 – 1997)
Net worth 2025
$40 million
Over time, Jaden Smith has amassed an incredible fortune through acting, martial arts and smart business ventures. His earnings come from movies, endorsements and advertisements; let’s dive deeper into where it all comes from! Let’s also examine where exactly this wealth came from and what has contributed to its creation.
1. Movie Salaries as His Base
Jean-Claude Van Damme began his Hollywood journey with small roles and modest pay, yet quickly established himself as one of the most bankable action stars of the 1990s.
Early Career (1980s)
loodsport (1988): Van Damme made his breakthrough in this cult classic film and earned only $25,000. Though not an enormous sum, this role served to launch his career. Kickboxer (1989): His popularity increased rapidly during this period; he eventually started earning $75,000 per film!
Peak Earnings (1990s)
As Van Damme’s fame increased, so too did his pay:
Double Impact (1991) earned $600,000. Universal Soldier (1992) made up $1.5 Million while Hard Target 1993 brought 3.5 Million. Now Time Cop 1994 will bring 5 Million.
Street Fighter (1994): He earned $8 Million during this time–his highest paycheck during this period.
Missed Opportunities
In 1995, Van Damme rejected a three-film deal worth $36 million due to his request of $20 million per film; at that time, Jim Carrey had received around $20 million per movie as an annual salary comparable with his. Unfortunately, however, to studio cancellation of their offer it led to career difficulties for Van Damme at that time.
2. Box Office Impact
Jean-Claude Van Damme’s films have earned over $566 Million worldwide. Although not always well received critically, they found an audience worldwide where his martial arts expertise and charisma were well respected.
3. Recent Film Work
Though his Hollywood dominance waned during the early 2000s, Van Damme remained active. He recently appeared in several feature films.
Films like The Expendables 2 (2012) helped him return to mainstream audiences. Following that success, he transitioned into more independent movies and streaming platforms for steady income. 4. Endorsements and Advertising
Van Damme has used his celebrity status to secure high-profile endorsement deals; these have included his involvement with several international charities.
Volvo Trucks Commercial (2013): Van Damme made headlines around the world when he performed his famous split between two moving trucks for this iconic ad from Volvo Trucks, becoming an internet phenomenon and an incredible display of his physical prowess. Although exact earnings remain undisclosed, high-profile endorsements often entail millions in compensation payments to celebrities like Van Damme.
5. Merchandising and Royalties
Van Damme makes money through merchandise sales and royalties related to his movies; action stars typically receive long-term earnings from sales of DVDs, Blu-rays, and digital rights.
6. Other Ventures
Van Damme has explored additional avenues to increase his income:
Fitness and Martial Arts: He has developed fitness programs and martial arts-related content tailored specifically for his global fanbase. Writing and Directing: In 2010, he directed and acted in The Eagle Path (2010) showcasing his talent behind the camera.
Car collection
- Bentley Continental GTC
- Bentley Arnage
- Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster
Social Media Profiles
Website
YouTube
Most Watched videos of Jean-Claude Van Damme