Jean-Claude Van Damme

Jean-Claude Van Damme (Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg, born 18 October 1960) is an Belgian martial artist, actor, fight choreographer, filmmaker, and director. Nicknamed "The Muscles from Brussels", he is well known for his action films. Credited with helping popularize martial arts in film, Van Damme is widely regarded as one of the most iconic martial arts action stars of all time.
Born and raised in Brussels, Belgium, at the age of ten his father enrolled him in martial arts classes, which led to Van Damme participating in several competitions. He was a member of the Belgium Karate Team when it won the European Karate Championship on 26 December 1979. With the desire of becoming an actor, he moved to the United States in 1982, eventually getting his break as the lead in the martial arts film "Bloodsport" (1988). Van Damme became a popular action film star and followed up with "Cyborg" (1989), "Kickboxer" (1989), "Lionheart" (1990), "Death Warrant" (1990), "Double Impact" (1991), "Universal Soldier" (1992), "Nowhere to Run" (1993), "Hard Target" (1993), "Timecop" (1994), "Street Fighter" (1994), "Sudden Death" (1995), "The Quest" (1996), "Maximum Risk" (1996), etc.
He was married to Maria Rodriguez from 1980 until they divorced in 1984. Then he was married to Cynthia Derderian from 1985 until they divorced in 1986. Then he was married to Darcy LaPier from 1994 until they divorced in 1997. Then he was married to Gladys Portugues from 1987 until they divorced in 1992; they remarried in 1999. He has three children. He lives in Los Angeles, California. Van Damme has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.