Jean-Claude Van Damme developed a fascination with Eastern martial arts, such as karate and kung fu, from a young age. The famous split maneuver, famously displayed between two trucks in a commercial, was not a spontaneous feat; Van Damme had undergone over five years of ballet training.
As a young athlete, he had to travel extensively to participate in sports events. It was during one of these tournaments that he was noticed and offered a role in a film. At 19, Jean-Claude secured a minor role that marked the commencement of his acting career. Seven years later, he took on one of the lead roles in the film No Retreat, No Surrender.
In 1987, Jean-Claude married actress and bodybuilder Gladys Portugues after two unsuccessful marriages. That same year, they had a son, followed shortly by a daughter. However, the couple parted ways when their daughter was just three years old. Fast forward to 1999, after his fourth divorce, Van Damme re-married Gladys, his third wife. Despite frequent arguments and discussions of separation, the couple continues to cohabit.
Bianca opted to change her hard-to-pronounce last name for a stage name. At 33, she made her film debut alongside her father. Recently, she appeared in the film The Eagle Path with her brother, where Jean-Claude not only played the main role but also served as the writer, director, and producer.
Nicolas, Jean-Claude Van Damme’s son from his fourth wife Darcy LaPier, is currently 28 years old and has chosen to lead a life outside the film industry. In 2017, Nicolas gained attention for legal issues and was sentenced to probation.