Jean-Claude Van Damme was born Jean-Claude Van Varenberg on October 18, 1960 in Belgium. As a teenager, he studied ballet, karate, and bodybuilding. Jean-Claude became the European Middleweight Karate Champion by the age of 18. He and his instructor used to lie about his age to get him into competitions since he was too young. He moved to America barely speaking any english. His first role in an American film was as a gay karate man in Monaco Forever. He also had a small role in the film Missing In Action, starring karate champion, Chuck Norris. He is listed in the credits under stuntmen. Van Damme recieved his big break in the film Bloodsport in 1987. Soon after, Van Damme became the highest paid martial artist to appear in a film.

1984 - Monaco Forever
1985 - No Retreat, No Surrender
1987 - Bloodsport
1988 - Black Eagle
1989 - Kickboxer
       Cyborg
1990 - Lionheart
     - Death Warrant
1991 - Double Impact
1992 - Universal Soldier
1993 - Nowhere to Run
     - Hard Target
1994 - Timecop
     - Street Fighter
1995 - Sudden Death
1996 - The Quest
     - Maximum Risk
1997 - Double Team
1998 - Knock Off (Coming August 21, 1998)

Knock-Off is about a man battling an international terrorist group in HK during its transfer back to Chinese rule. The films North American rights are owned by Columbia TriStar. The film is directed by Tsui Hark(Double Team, Once Upon A Time In China). The film also stars Rob Schnieder(SNL, Men Behaving Badly). Knock-Off will be out August 21.

Other upcoming Van Damme films - Legionnare(Confirmed), Inferno(Confirmed), Abominable(Rumored), X-men(Film confirmed, but not Jean-Claude's involvement. Both Van Damme and Glenn Danzig are being considered for the part of Wolverine).