Jean Claude Van Damme Biography

Jean Claude Van Damme (a.k.a. Jean Claude Van Varenbeerg) was born on October 18, 1960. Although he was born in Berchem-Sainte Agathe, Belgium, with the name of Jean-Claude Van Varenbeerg, Van Damme once called himself 'Frank Cujo' when he first moved to Hollywood in 1981. But even Cujo couldn't find work as an actor as the former European Professional Karate Association's middleweight championship spent his time taking English classes while working as a chauffeur, carpet layer, pizza deliverer, trainer and bouncer. But never underestimate the world-wide audience for a good kick in the head as Van Damme started to get work in such films as Monaco Forever, No Retreat, No Surrender, and other low-budget fare. What eventually came around for Van Damme was bigger budget movies that showcased his good looks and martial arts skills. No one could accuse him of being a good actor, well, that is no one except himself. Often in the press more for his private life rather than his movies, he's been married three times while wife number four, former Hawaiian Tropic pin-up girl Darcy LaPier, has filed for divorce on three different occasions.