Kickass Facts About Jean-Claude Van Damme
1. Van Damme turned down a 3 picture deal worth $12 million in Timecop because he demanded $20 million, drawing a parallel to Jim Carrey’s payment.
2. The original Mortal Kombat Website video integration keyboards featured Van Damme’s likeness, sound, and fighting techniques but he couldn’t participate due to a conflicting deal with Sega Genesis.
3. Van Damme owned a gym in Brussels before moving to the United States for acting gigs, earning about $15,000 per month from it.
4. Before becoming a star, Van Damme worked as an extra in Breakin’, private karate instructor, and limousine driver.
5. A statue of Van Damme was unveiled in Anderlecht, Belgium, and another one was mounted in a village in Qabala, Azerbaijan.
6. Van Damme’s first film role was in Bloodsport, where he played Captain Frank Dux in an illegal martial arts tournament. The movie grossed $1.5 million at the box office.
7. Although he can barely speak Spanish, Van Damme’s nanny taught him much of the language growing up.
8. Van Damme was nominated for a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst New Star after his performance in Bloodsport. He lost to Mac and Me.
9. Van Damme took ballet for five years when he was 16, describing it as one of the most challenging sports.
10. Van Damme won the Mr. Belgium Bodybuilding Title after focusing on weight lifting and earning a black belt in karate at 18 and a 2nd dan black belt.
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Kickass Facts About Jean-Claude Van Damme
1. Van Damme turned down a 3 picture deal worth $12 million in Timecop because he demanded $20 million, drawing a parallel to Jim Carrey’s payment.
2. The original Mortal Kombat Website video integration keyboards featured Van Damme’s likeness, sound, and fighting techniques but he couldn’t participate due to a conflicting deal with Sega Genesis.
3. Van Damme owned a gym in Brussels before moving to the United States for acting gigs, earning about $15,000 per month from it.
4. Before becoming a star, Van Damme worked as an extra in Breakin’, private karate instructor, and limousine driver.
5. A statue of Van Damme was unveiled in Anderlecht, Belgium, and another one was mounted in a village in Qabala, Azerbaijan.
6. Van Damme’s first film role was in Bloodsport, where he played Captain Frank Dux in an illegal martial arts tournament. The movie grossed $1.5 million at the box office.
7. Van Damme was nominated for a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst New Star after his performance in Bloodsport. He lost to Mac and Me.
8. Van Damme was born on October 18, 1960, with the given name Jean-Claude Camille Francois Van Varenberg. He adopted the stage name “Van Damme” from his friend’s father – he considered it short, clear, and punchy.
9. Jean Claude Van Damme was born in Belgium, but he learned much of the Spanish language from his Spanish nanny growing up.
10. Van Damme won the Mr. Belgium Bodybuilding Title after focusing on weight lifting and earning a black belt in karate at 18 and a 2nd dan black belt.
