Jump to content

Jean-Claude Van Damme


DragonClaws

Recommended Posts

  • Member

 

Jean-Claude Van Damme - Basic Biography & Filmography

"I see dogs on the street, and I adopt them. I took seven dogs from Thailand, and a few of them are paralyzed. One has three paws instead of four. One is limping, so we bought him a wheelchair. I spent my own (2008) money to fly them back by private jet. In commercial, they can have heart attacks because of stress - it's dark and icy cold. I love animals. I have nine dogs and a kitty" - Jean-Claude Van Damme

(Image) Beach Brawl in Double Impact (1991).

doubleimpact1.jpg

The muscular action star and bsuiness man was born Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg on the 18th of Octobber 1960. Jean Claude started his training in Martial Arts at the age of twelve, training under Claude Goetz. After being seriously impressed by the Bruce Lee movie Enter The Dragon (1973). He would later get one of the film’s stars Bolo Yeung, to appear in a movie with him. After four years studying Karate he earned a place among the Belgium Karate Team. By 1976 he was a serious Martial Artist, and competed in both full and semi-contact point fighting, until he retired in 1982. While still living in Europe, he owned a gym in Brussels and even won the Mr Belgium bodybuilding contest.

The Mr Belgium contest (1978).

64104b71182a3c1fd6df28938e78604c--van-da

Van Damme started his movie career with bit parts in European productions in the early 1980s. He later broke into American films with the Asian/American co-production No Retreat No Surrender (1986), playing the villain Ivan Kraschinsky. He played a villain again in the Sho Kosgui film Black Eagle (1988). Van Damme even tried his luck in Hong Kong but was turned down by producers their. Godfrey Ho and Joseph Lai of IFD films famously turned him down, saying they didn’t have the time to make a film with him. According to IMDB he also had an un-credited role in the Chuck Norris actioner Missing In Action?. A chance to play as the Predator, in the hit 1987 movie of the same name starring Arnold Schwarzeneger. Didnt work, after only a few days on set he left the production. This was due to the creature's look being re-designed, which required Kevin Peter-Hall to step into the new look suit.

With Carl Weathers, on the set of Predator (1987).

DMZnBjPWsAIupku.jpg

Flying fury, one of many classic scenes Frank Dux (Van Damme) faces Chong Li (Bolo Yeung).

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BZjU4ZWYxNDktMDNlMi00YThhLTg3YWEtNTc0Mjg0YzAxM2UwXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMjUyNDk2ODc@._V1_.jpg

The film that made him a big cinematic name was Bloodsport (1988), based loosely on the real life of Frank Dux. Co-starring with the well built Bolo Yeung, as the stories body wrecking main antagonist Chong Li. The movie was not released until two years after production, due to Cannons negative opinion of the production. I’m not sure how true this can be as many of their films were not exactly high art. He continued to make low budget actioners such as Cyborg, Death Warrant and A.W.O.L. These films didn’t set the box office alight, but helped build him a big fan base. It was the film Kickboxer(1989) that cemented his success in Martial Arts film history. The production also starred one of Jean Claude childhood friends and future collaborator Michel Qissi, as the menacing Tong Po.The movie became a big hit across the globe.

https://cache.moviestillsdb.com/i/500x/nhlnci33/kickboxer-lg.jpg

In 1991 Van Damme starred in his next box-office hit, the action classic Double Impact. Where he would appear alongside long time friend and former Mr Hong Kong Bolo Yeung. Co-Written & directed by friend and long term movie collaborator and former Marine Sheldon Lettich. Mr Lettich had met Van Damme during the making of Bloodsport, when he was working as writer. He would play a large part in Van Dammes film career, working on Lionheart (1990), Legionaire (1998), The Order (2001) & Hard Corps (2008) which dealt with P.T.S.D. His fourth big budget Box office smash was Universal Soldier (1992) co-starring with Dolph Lundgren, the films box office success moved his career and movie budgets forward. A whole number of sequels and spin-offs, some featuring Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren. Have appeared since the 1992 movie hit cinema screens.

On the set of Universal Soldier (1992) with Dolph Lundgren.

US.jpg

Sadly some problems in his personal life meant his spot at the top didn’t last as long as it should have. Soon his films began to flop and Hollywood turned its back on the Belgium star, but his career was far from over just yet. Going onto be in big demand by action producers and directors from around the world. The resilient actor received critical praise for his introspective performance in 2008 JCVD, playing himself. playing himself. After years of appearing in B-Movies and Hong Kong/US co-productions, he got a second break thanks to Sylvester Stallone asking him to appear in The Expendables sequel in 2012. With a scene stealing performance as the films bad guy, Vilain.

He's still showing no signs of slowing down in the gym or on the moive sets. With the recent Amazon original series Jean Claude Van Johnson, where pokes fun at his own movie image. In 2016 he appeared in the Kickboxer re-boot alongside Alain Moussi and Dave Bautista. Playing one of his greatest screen characters in the form of Kickboxing teacher Master Durand. His latest movie will be The Last Mercenary, directed by David Charhon and set for release in 2021.

Filmography  1979 to 2022

- Woman in Twilight Garden (1979)

1980 - 1989

- Breakin (1984)

- Missing in Action (1984)

- Monaco Forever (1984)

- No Retreat No Surrender (1986)

- Bloodsport (1988)

- Black Eagle (1988)

- Cyborg (1989)

- Kickboxer (1989)

(Below) Celebrating the success of Bloodsport, with Sheldon LettichMichel Qissi.

2f96ecae1e4afc5934e144159fa1c9a2.jpg

1990 - 1999

- Lionheart (1990)

- Death Warrant (1990)

- Double Impact (1991)

- Universal Soldier (1992)

- Nowhere to Run (1993)

- Last Action Hero (1993)

- Hard Target (1993)

- The Smithereens: Time Wont Let Me (1994)

- Time Cop (1994)

- Street Fighter (1994)

- Sudden Death (1995)

- The Quest (1996)

- Maximum Risk (1996)

- Double Team (1997)

- Knock-Off (1998)

- Legionaire (1998)

- Desert Heat (1999)

- Universal Soldier: The Return (1999)

U.S Promotional poster for Lionheart a.k.a  A.W.O.L: Absent Without Official Leave/Leon directed by Sheldon Lettich.

VanDamme105.jpg

2000 - 2009

- Replicant (2001)

- The Order (2001)

- Derailed (2002)

- In Hell (2003)

- Narco (2004)

- Wake of Death (2004)

- Scond in Command (2006)

- The Hard Corps (2006)

- Heist School (2006)

- Until Death (2007)

- The Shepherd (2008)

- JCVD (2008)

- Universal Soldier: Regeneration (2009)

Fighting the odd's, a scene from In Hell (2003) Directed by another long term collaborator Ringo Lam.

https://cache.moviestillsdb.com/i/500x/mxckya8m/in-hell-lg.jpg

2010 - 2019

- Assassination Games (2011)

- Beur sur la ville (2011)

- Rhevskiy protiv Napoleona (2012)

- Dragon Eyes (2012)

- The Expendables 2 (2012)

- Universal Solider: Day of Reckoning (2012)

- Six Bullits (2012)

- Alien Uprising (2012)

- Welcome to The Jungle (2013)

- Enemies Closer (2013)

- Swelter (2014)

- The Eagle Path (2014) - Unreleased

- Pound of Flesh (2015)

- Jian Bing Man (2015)

- Kickboxer Vengeance (2015)

- Kill Em'All (2017)

- Kickboxer: Retaliation (2018)

- Black Water (2018)

- Lukas (2018)

- We Die Young (2019)

A scene from Lukas a.k.a The Bouncer (2018) directed by Julien Leclercq.

The Last Thing I See: Jean-Claude Van Damme's 'The Bouncer' Gets A Dark,  Gritty Trailer

2020 - 2022

- The Last Mercenary (2021)

 T.V Credits

- Las Vegas (2004)

- Friends (1996)

- Robert Chicken (2009)

- Jean-Claude Van Damme: Behind Closed Doors (2011)

- Jean-Claude Van Johnson (2016 - 2017)

- Les anges asian dream (2020)

 

Edited by DragonClaws
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Member

Still got it, Van Damme checks the results of his hard work in the mirror.

http://muscle.iuhu.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/old-jean-claude-van-damme-training-lifting-weights.jpgng

(Link Expired)

Edited by DragonClaws
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Member

bd61f0e3b82a417ec32f2f9c659761ea.jpg

The Austrian Oak meets The Muscles From Brussels, during production of Universal Solider(1992).

 

http://lichnosti.net/photos/848/sets/8_5443a23f99440.jpg

From left to right, Dr Franco Columbo(Mr Olympia), Van Damme, Ralf Moeller(Gladiator/Mr Universe), Arnold Schwazenegger9Mr Olympia)

Edited by DragonClaws
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Member

 

20345489.jpg

Luc Deveraux and John(Scott Adkins), are about to collide in Universal Soldier: Day Of Reckoning(2012)

Loved the visually striking face paint, that they created for Van Damme's character. Its a world away from the Ronald Emmerich movie, but in the case of this sequel, thats a good thing. A very dark, gritty, action packed take on the Universal Soldier idea.

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Member

 

Miscellaneous moive stills and behind the scenes pictures.

The Order(2001)

article-2507525-196B15FD00000578-990_634

 

The Quest(1996)

vandamme2_1024x768_jpg.jpg

 

In Hell(2003)

in-hell-lg.jpg

 

Death Warrant(1990)

timecop2.jpg

 

Universal Solider(1992)

Universal+Cast.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use

Please Sign In or Sign Up