Born in Berchem-Sainte Agathe, Belgium and raised in Brussels, Belgium, Jean-Claude Van Varenberg (adopting the name "Van Damme" from an early mentor) was a self-admitted "skinny, sensitive kid who loved classical music and painting," among other childhood studies. At the urging of his father, he began early instruction in ballet and karate - foreshadowing a career that would later capitalize on the intertwined nature of both. Invited to join the Paris Opera as a dancer, the young Van Damme instead chose to focus on karate and body-building, quitting school to operate his very own successful fitness center, The California Gym in Brussels.

Though he quickly found fame in his native Belgium as a prized athlete and health club entrepreneur, his life would take another turn. Cast in the French-made film Rue Barbare, an interest in acting awoke in him that would forever alter his life. Says the performer: "To leave your family, your friends, your business, and take a chance… you've got to believe in your dream." Although it seemed like a "kamikaze mission," he abandoned a lucrative business and local fame in search of a film career in Hong Kong.

After little success breaking into the Hong Kong martial arts film industry, Van Damme felt it was time to take on Hollywood. Arriving on American soil in 1982, Van Damme possessed the requisite good looks and persistent attitude to succeed-unfortunately, he knew no languages other than French and Flemmish. With informal English studies came a variety of jobs - taxi and limo driver, nightclub bouncer, pizza delivery boy, carpet layer and personal trainer. However, Jean-Claude's dream continued to elude him until an impromptu display of his martial arts prowess for a startled Menahem Golan, then CEO of Menahem Pictures, outside a chic Hollywood restaurant won the determined performer his first role.

Van Damme made his feature film debut starring in Cannon Films' 1987 release Bloodsport. Its success ushered in a wave of action thrillers: Cyborg, Kickboxer, Death Warrant and Lionheart. Numerous studio films followed, starting with Double Impact, Universal Soldier, Nowhere to Run, Hard Target (directed by John Woo), Street Fighter, Sudden Death, The Quest (written and directed by Van Damme), Maximum Risk, , and the blockbuster Timecop. The success of this young Belgian can be traced to his ability to appeal to all ages and genders and his larger-than-life image that captures the imagination of moviegoers worldwide.

Incorporating the elegance of ballet into his karate, Van Damme has transcended the brute force of the martial arts genre. Yet it was karate, the actor says, which helped him focus on and achieve his movie-making dreams. Active with the Make a Wish foundation, Van Damme is also vocal supporter of animal rights. He continues to cross-train daily in a variety of sports, including weight training and martial arts.

Van Damme says "My karate instuctor had a trained dog. When I finished my run, he'd put me in a padded outfit nd he'd yell, "Run!" Then he'd let the dog go after me. The dog was nice; he didn't bit my face [laughter]. He'd only bite my arms and legs. So I'd fight with him." What make Jean-Claude Van Damme a candidate for superstardom. The 5-foot-9, 180 pound actor has it all. He's handsome, muscular, charismatic on screen, charming off screen.