Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jean-Claude Van Damme

How Jean-Claude Van Damme built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Jean-Claude Van Damme, born Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg, is a Belgian martial artist and actor. His martial arts training began at age ten, leading to accomplishments such as a 2nd-dan black belt in karate, a European Professional Karate Association middleweight championship, and a Mr. Belgium bodybuilding title. In 1982, he moved to the United States aspiring to become an actor. He gained recognition for his martial arts skills, landing his breakthrough role in the film Bloodsport (1988).

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1976: Start of Competitive Karate Career

In 1976, Jean-Claude Van Damme began his competitive karate career in Belgium at the age of 15.

1976: Mr. Belgium bodybuilding Championships Gold

In 1976, Jean-Claude Van Damme won gold at the Mr. Belgium bodybuilding Championships.

1977: Full-Contact Record

From 1977 to 1982, Jean-Claude Van Damme compiled a full-contact record of 18 victories (18 knockouts) and one defeat.

1977: Victory over Patrick Teugels

In 1977, Jean-Claude Van Damme achieved a victory over Patrick Teugels.

1977: Start of Full-Contact Career

In 1977, Jean-Claude Van Damme began his full-contact career when Claude Goetz promoted the first ever full-contact karate tournament in Belgium.

1977: Belgium Karate Lightweight Championships Gold

In 1977, Jean-Claude Van Damme secured the gold medal at the Belgium Karate Lightweight Championships.

1978: Mr. Belgium Bodybuilding Title

In 1978, Jean-Claude Van Damme earned the Mr. Belgium bodybuilding title, highlighting his dedication to physical fitness.

December 1979: European Karate Championship Win

On December 26 1979, Jean-Claude Van Damme was a member of the Belgium Karate Team when it won the European Karate Championship at the La Coupe François Persoons Karate Tournament in Brussels.

1979: Uncredited Role in Woman Between Wolf and Dog

In 1979, Jean-Claude Van Damme had an uncredited role in André Delvaux's Woman Between Wolf and Dog, a Belgian-French drama film.

1979: Opening of California Gym

In 1979, Jean-Claude Van Damme opened California Gym in Brussels, offering karate, dancing, aerobics, and bodybuilding training.

1979: European Professional Karate Association Middleweight Championship

In 1979, Jean-Claude Van Damme won the middleweight championship of the European Professional Karate Association.

1979: Belgium Karate team European Championships Gold

In 1979, Jean-Claude Van Damme's team won gold at the Belgium Karate team European Championships.

March 1980: Fight Against Patrick Teugels

On March 8 1980, in Brussels, Belgium, Jean-Claude Van Damme competed against Patrick Teugels at the Forest National Arena and won by TKO in the 1st round.

1980: Karate Record

From 1976 to 1980, Jean-Claude Van Damme compiled a record of 44 victories and four defeats in tournament and non-tournament semi-contact matches.

1980: Attention from Karate Professionals

In 1980, Jean-Claude Van Damme caught the attention of Professional Karate Magazine publisher Mike Anderson and European champion Geert Lemmens, who recognized his potential.

1980: Belgium Coupe des Espoirs Karate Tournament Championships Silver

In 1980, Jean-Claude Van Damme won a silver medal at the Belgium Coupe des Espoirs Karate Tournament Championships.

1982: End of full-contact carreer

From 1977 to 1982, Jean-Claude Van Damme compiled a full-contact record of 18 victories (18 knockouts) and one defeat.

1982: Move to the United States

In 1982, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Michel Qissi moved to the United States to pursue acting careers.

1982: Retirement from Competition

In 1982, Jean-Claude Van Damme retired from competition.

1984: Stunt Team Crew and Role in Monaco Forever

In 1984, Jean-Claude Van Damme was credited in the stunt team crew for the film Missing in Action and had a role in the comedy short film Monaco Forever.

1984: Extra in Breakin'

In 1984, Jean-Claude Van Damme worked as an extra in the hip hop dance film Breakin', marking one of his first film roles in the United States.

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May 1986: First Sizeable Role in No Retreat, No Surrender

On May 2 1986, Jean-Claude Van Damme had his first sizeable role as the Russian villain in Corey Yuen's martial arts film No Retreat, No Surrender.

1987: Predator

In 1987, Jean-Claude Van Damme worked on the film Predator as an early version of the titular alien but was eventually replaced due to concerns about the suit and physical presence.

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February 1988: Bloodsport Release

On February 26 1988, Jean-Claude Van Damme's breakout film Bloodsport opened, marking a significant moment in his career.

1988: Breakthrough Role in Bloodsport

In 1988, Jean-Claude Van Damme had his breakthrough as the lead in the martial arts film Bloodsport, marking a significant turning point in his acting career.

1989: Success with Cyborg and Kickboxer

In 1989, Jean-Claude Van Damme starred in the commercially successful films Cyborg and Kickboxer.

1989: Starring in Cyborg

In 1989, following the success of Bloodsport, Jean-Claude Van Damme starred in Cyborg, a cyberpunk martial arts film.

1990: Starring in Death Warrant and Lionheart

In 1990, Jean-Claude Van Damme starred in Death Warrant and Lionheart, further establishing his career as an action star.

1990: Starring in Lionheart and Death Warrant

In 1990, Jean-Claude Van Damme starred in the commercially successful films Lionheart and Death Warrant.

1991: Release of Double Impact

In 1991, Double Impact, directed by Sheldon Lettich and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme in a dual role, was released.

July 1992: Universal Soldier Theatrical Release

On July 10 1992, Universal Soldier, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren, opened in theatres, becoming a major blockbuster worldwide.

1992: Starring in Universal Soldier

In 1992, Jean-Claude Van Damme starred in the commercially successful film Universal Soldier.

1992: Mortal Kombat conceived as a fighting game based on Van Damme

In 1992, the original video game Mortal Kombat was conceived as a fighting game based on Van Damme. Creators Ed Boon and John Tobias originally wanted to star Van Damme himself in the game, but he had a prior deal for another game under the auspices of the Sega Genesis platform. They eventually decided to create a character named Johnny Cage, who is modeled after Van Damme.

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1993: Cyborg 2 sequel

In 1993, Cyborg 2 was released as a sequel spawned by Van Damme's films.

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1993: Starring in Nowhere to Run and Hard Target

In 1993, Jean-Claude Van Damme starred in the commercially successful films Nowhere to Run and Hard Target.

1994: Cyborg 3: The Recycler sequel

In 1994, Cyborg 3: The Recycler was released as a sequel spawned by Van Damme's films.

1994: Starring in Timecop and Street Fighter

In 1994, Jean-Claude Van Damme starred in the commercially successful films Timecop and Street Fighter.

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1995: Starring in Sudden Death

In 1995, Jean-Claude Van Damme starred in the commercially successful film Sudden Death.

1996: Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite sequel

In 1996, Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite was released as a sequel spawned by Van Damme's films.

1996: Directorial Debut with The Quest and Starring in Maximum Risk

In 1996, Jean-Claude Van Damme made his directorial debut with The Quest and starred in Maximum Risk.

1997: Bloodsport III sequel

In 1997, Bloodsport III was released as a sequel spawned by Van Damme's films.

1998: Collaboration with Hong Kong Filmmakers

Between 1993 and 1998, Jean-Claude Van Damme collaborated with three Hong Kong filmmakers for their debuts in Western cinema: John Woo, Tsui Hark, and Ringo Lam.

1998: Universal Soldier II: Brothers in Arms and Universal Soldier III: Unfinished Business sequels

In 1998, Universal Soldier II: Brothers in Arms and Universal Soldier III: Unfinished Business were released as sequels spawned by Van Damme's films.

1999: Bloodsport 4: The Dark Kumite sequel

In 1999, Bloodsport 4: The Dark Kumite was released as a sequel spawned by Van Damme's films.

2003: Timecop 2: The Berlin Decision sequel

In 2003, Timecop 2: The Berlin Decision was released as a sequel spawned by Van Damme's films.

2008: Return to Prominence with JCVD

In 2008, Jean-Claude Van Damme returned to prominence with the critically acclaimed crime drama JCVD, in which he starred as a fictional version of himself.

2009: Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li sequel

In 2009, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li was released as a sequel spawned by Van Damme's films.

2012: Starring in The Expendables 2

In 2012, Jean-Claude Van Damme starred in The Expendables 2 as the villain, opposite Sylvester Stallone's character, marking his return to the action genre.

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2013: Starring in Enemies Closer

In 2013, Jean-Claude Van Damme starred in the well-received action film Enemies Closer.

2014: Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist sequel

In 2014, Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist was released as a sequel spawned by Van Damme's films.

2016: Starring in Jean-Claude Van Johnson

From 2016 to 2017, Jean-Claude Van Damme starred in the Ridley Scott-produced television series Jean-Claude Van Johnson.

2016: Hard Target 2 sequel

In 2016, Hard Target 2 was released as a sequel spawned by Van Damme's films.

2017: Starring in Jean-Claude Van Johnson

From 2016 to 2017, Jean-Claude Van Damme starred in the Ridley Scott-produced television series Jean-Claude Van Johnson.

2018: Starring in The Bouncer and Kickboxer: Retaliation

In 2018, Jean-Claude Van Damme starred in The Bouncer and Kickboxer: Retaliation.

2020: Inducted into Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame

In 2020, Van Damme was inducted into the Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame, marking a significant recognition of his contributions to the martial arts and film industry.

2020: Welcome to Sudden Death sequel

In 2020, Welcome to Sudden Death was released as a sequel spawned by Van Damme's films.

2022: Voice Work in Minions: The Rise of Gru

In 2022, Jean-Claude Van Damme did voice work for the well-received movie Minions: The Rise of Gru.

2022: Appointed as Democratic Republic of the Congo Ambassador On Environment

In 2022, Jean-Claude Van Damme was appointed as the Democratic Republic of the Congo Ambassador On Environment, with the role of enhancing the protection of forests as well as local fauna and flora.