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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.
| Title | Year | Editors' Rating | User Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dragon Eyes
Actor |
2012 | |||
Six Bullets
Actor |
2012 | |||
The Expendables 2
Actor |
2012 | |||
|
2012 | |||
Assassination Games
Actor, Executive Producer |
2011 | |||
Kung Fu Panda 2
Voice |
2011 | |||
|
The Eagle Path
Actor, Director, Screenwriter |
2010 | |||
|
2009 | |||
JCVD
Actor, Executive Producer |
2008 | |||
|
2007 | |||
Until Death
Actor |
2007 | |||
Second in Command
Actor |
2006 | |||
|
Sinav
Actor |
2006 | |||
The Hard Corps
Actor |
2006 | |||
Wake of Death
Actor |
2004 | |||
In Hell
Actor |
2003 | |||
Derailed
Actor |
2002 | |||
Replicant
Actor |
2001 | |||
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The Order
Actor, Screenwriter |
2001 | |||
Legionnaire
Actor |
1999 | |||
Universal Soldier: The Return
Actor, Producer |
1999 | |||
Desert Heat
Actor, Producer |
1998 | |||
Knock Off
Actor |
1998 | |||
Double Team
Actor |
1997 | |||
Friends: The One After the Superbowl, Part 2
TV Guest Appearance |
1996 | |||
Maximum Risk
Actor |
1996 | |||
The Quest
Actor, Director, Screen Story, Screenwriter |
1996 | |||
|
Just Say kNOw to Drugs
Participant |
1995 | |||
Sudden Death
Actor |
1995 | |||
Street Fighter
Actor |
1994 | |||
Timecop
Actor |
1994 | |||
Hard Target
Actor |
1993 | |||
Nowhere to Run
Actor |
1993 | |||
Universal Soldier
Actor |
1992 | |||
Double Impact
Actor, Producer, Screen Story, Screenwriter |
1991 | |||
Deadliest Art: The Best of the Martial Arts Films
Archival Appearance |
1990 | |||
Death Warrant
Actor |
1990 | |||
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Lionheart
Actor, Screenwriter |
1990 | |||
Cyborg
Actor |
1989 | |||
Kickboxer
Actor, Fights Choreographer, Screen Story |
1989 | |||
Black Eagle
Actor |
1988 | |||
Bloodsport
Actor |
1986 | |||
No Retreat, No Surrender
Actor |
1986 | |||
|
Monaco Forever
Actor |
1983 |
