- published: 22 May 2016
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Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg (born 18 October 1960), professionally known as Jean-Claude Van Damme, is a Belgian martial artist, actor, and director best known for his martial arts action films. The most successful of these films include Bloodsport (1988), Kickboxer (1989), Universal Soldier (1992), Hard Target (1993), Timecop (1994), Sudden Death (1995) and JCVD (2008). He is known as "The Muscles from Brussels".
After studying martial arts intensively from the age of ten, Van Damme achieved national success in Belgium as a martial artist and bodybuilder, earning the "Mr. Belgium" bodybuilding title. He emigrated to the United States in 1982 to pursue a career in film, and achieved success with Bloodsport (1988), based on a story written by Frank Dux. He attained subsequent box office success with Timecop (1994), which was his highest grossing film with over $100 million, until 2011's Kung Fu Panda 2, which grossed over $665 million.
Van Damme was born Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg in Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Brussels, Belgium, the son of Eliana and Eugène Van Varenberg, who was an accountant. He began martial arts at the age of ten, enrolled by his father in a Shotokan karate school. His styles consist of kickboxing, Shotokan karate, Muay Thai and Taekwondo. He eventually earned his black belt in karate. He started lifting weights to improve his physique, which eventually led to a Mr. Belgium bodybuilding title.
Actors: Devin O'Connor (actor), Devin O'Connor (writer), Jason Brewer (director), Jason Brewer (editor), Lucas Buck (miscellaneous crew), Blythe Hart (actress), Jeff Piotrowski (actor), Morgan James (actress), Kevin Hagopian (actor), Nik Blumish (actor), Nik Blumish (producer), Devin Oliver (actor), Nicole Blechynden (producer), Christopher Blumish (producer), Jeff Brendle (actor),
Plot: The western is dead, or so says Hollywood. The cowboys are gone, turned into businessmen and real estate agents. In the town of Deep Sands lies Sam Peckinpah's ghost, waiting for someone with enough heart to bring back the western to the forefront of American cinema. Hollywood knows it's coming. Threatened by the resurgence of the western genre, action star Vin Diesel has already sent out an assassin to stop Sam and newcomer Jack Yeager in their tracks. But the drive of the western is too strong, and Jack and Sam begin their quest. Joined by Steven Seagal, the crew rides into Hollywood, doing whatever it takes to put the capital W back in Western.
Genres: Animation, Short,