| Title: |
Jean Claude Van Damme B&W Candids St . James Hotel and Club Hollywood , CA BIRTHDATE : October 18 , 1960 WHERE : Brussels , Belgium HEIGHT : 510 " NICKNAME : Muscles from Brussels Jean Claude Van Damme was born October 18 , 1960 , to Eugene and Elaina Van Varenberg in Sint Agatha , Belgium . Jean Claude studied martial arts since he was 12 years old , when his father took him to train under Claude Goetz . Jean Claudes study of the martial arts was intense he went on to become a member of karate Team Belgium , and eventually won the European Professional Karate Associations middleweight championship . Always ambitious and a motivated entrepreneur , Jean Claude opened the California Gym while still in his teens . Then , in 1982 , Jean Claude moved to Hollywood to pursue his goal of becoming a star . His big break came when he performed a spin kick in front of producer Menahem Golan , CEO of Menahem Pictures , outside of a Hollywood restaurant . Golan was so impressed by Jean Claudes ability , he hired him for 1987s martial arts classic , BLOODSPORT still a favorite among martial arts / action fans . Jean Claudes superb athleticism , attained through years of karate , ballet and bodybuilding training , has made him an acclaimed , international action star . During his career , Jean Claude has been nominated three times ( 1992 , 1993 , & 1994 ) for an MTV Movie Award , in the Most Desirable Male category , and was nominated for Best Actor by the Video Premier Awards for his dual role in 2001s REPLICANT . Jean Claude is currently working on his latest film , WAKE OF DEATH , which is being shot in England and South Africa . Jean Claude is married and he has three children , Kristopher , Bianca and Nicolas . MUSCLES FROM BRUSSELS BIO BYTES Appeared in the music video and sang in the choir for the song , VOICES THAT CARE Appeared in The Smithereens TIME WONT LET ME music video Appear in a print advertisement for the Gap Appeared in Megadeths CRUSH EM music video ? |
