I remember Bloodsport, I think it was named, when he went out in a split and did an uppercut into the balls of his opponent while screaming. Bad ass scene, back then, somewhere in the 80's 😌
Bloodsport is one of my all time favorites @@elvenkind6072. We must have watched it several times as kids, and we would walk out at the end feeling like badasses.
He did a comedy show with Amazon a year or two ago that was amazing but wasn't picked up. It's worth a watch bc I think he was way funnier than I imagined.
he has a house in belgium at Knokke very close to me. I was shocked to see that he was alot smaller in real life then in his movies. He is a great guy though for as far as we know.
I wish people wouldn’t call him JCVD and just spend the time writing Van Damme. JCVD sounds either like a make of VHS player or he has some sort of exotic STD.
Paco was then planted seed for me. Had bonuses what I was looking at with his fighting style, but I was fascinated. Fast forward 30+ years later, I just got back from a month in Thailand and have been teaching Muay Thai for almost 2 decades. It all started with Bloodsport.
@@popeye5274 First time I was ever actually convinced that he could act. He was cold, calm and ruthless and I actually liked him as a villain. He's played one before, but he was always overacting as usual and I didn't find him very convincing as a result. But in that movie, he was pitch perfect.
Uh huh. Watched the scene. The skinniest teen could be terrifying, if they hold a weapon. Probably the skinny teen would be more terrifying last years! Here's the thing. Americans are particularly sensitive to strangers, to the point of asking out-of-city visitors twenty questions before they're "one of us". Imagine then the effect of putting perfect vocabulary British actors trained in the theatre (sic) with powerful, trained voices -- or anyone displaying intelligence, really. That (right there) is the enemy of the born American, ancestors quickly removed from memory. But failing that, just default to someone with an accent, and -> big arrow pointing to -> this is the enemy. It's getting rather old. Been that way since cinema... screen writers and casters must all be sacked for there to ever be a fresh take at this. Or one of them have to be an artist and go out on a limb. Cohen brothers try their mightiest and haven't thought of that, so there's no-one. There is no all-American villain in Hollywood or elsewhere, ever.
When I lived in Portland in the 1990s, he used to come into my nightclub. I actually made him pay cover because I didn't recognize him at first, and when I realized who it was I was going to wave him through. But he insisted on paying for himself and his guests. He was really nice.
I don't care what they say about this actor I thought he was fantastic athletic handsome and very intelligent and everybody grows old so if people can't understand that tough Anyway he's a true legend And he looked handsome no matter what his age was
Years before Kickboxer, a retired Hollywood agent here in the Los Feliz area/ Hollywood always tells stories of JCVD doing odds jobs like house painting and gardening. Showed us an old VHS cassette of VD in thick accent, learning how to pronounce American words like "cement truck" early 80's. There are still local shops who remember him back from the 80's. and of course, widowers would hire him to do their house work, being a foreign young hunk back then. Van Damme was ALWAYS in the same league as Ahnold, Bruce Willis and Stallone.
@@ebogar42 Steven ?? hahahahaha ! nah... Marc Dacascos yes, Bolo Yeung yes, Chuck yes, Bruce Lee yes, Jet Li yes, Donnie Yen yes. and so many ! but Seagall ?? hell no.
No matter what most people think, going from a European life, language and discipline, moving to America, relearn your life, accomplish the impossible to break into Hollywood, it requires a superhuman effort. Schwartzeneger had to go through a similar process. Walking a fine line between staying in top condition and learning acting and being selected to films may look easy, it is not. All the success stories in many areas had plenty of heartache along the way to attempting success and to continue requires even more effort and never getting comfortable to keep on challenging and driving yourself. I have respect for anyone that can have success in entertainment. It is not like any other job and the pain and demands to be consistent can be overwhelming in all parts of entertainment. Many action actors are permanently injured as in sports and continuing to act may become too difficult. Nothing is easy, entertainment has its dues as in all professions. I thank him for all his hard work, talent and great movies. So many great actors have passed on and we can all miss their talent but they will live on in their films. We still have Clint Eastwood. Bruce Lee was also amazing and had a strange death to pass away so young. I thank them all for leaving us with such great films and teachings in life.
He is a great example of how success in Hollywood is not a realistic representation of who a person is behind closed doors. But watching his movies as a kid put me on the trajectory of becoming a lifelong martial artist. I'll always be grateful for that. Another great video!
JCVD is a flawed human being. Just like we all are. But he has brought a lot of joy to many of us. 1 of the few things my father & I bonded over were Jean Claude's films in the early 90s. Went together to see them all in theater. I carry those fond memories with me to this day. I very much enjoyed this biography on JCVD!👍
Same here his movies were 🔥. I still love the man paying the hero or bad guy. I was so excited to see him come back in expendables . Would have love to see him doing more today but the kick boxer series I wasn't a fan of but the first one he did was great. But mainstream left him behind and as I'm learning getting old sucks
@lesterking2790 I'm in the same boat as you my friend. At 41 yrs old, I'm realizing father time is taking its toll. It's nice to have the prime JCVD films to look back on. Takes you back to when we were younger. And I'm glad to see Jean Claude accepting where he is at this stage in his life. Mainstream appeal is behind him. But there's still a niche for him in entertainment. All the best to you!👍
Yes, brother but stop using those B.S. modern one-liners like "best version of himself", anybody merely regurgitating Gen "Z' B.S. only postures knowing, Lol!
@@AndrewFord Not only is he the best version of himself but he's also on his purpose and not treating women like a celebrity or they'll treat him like a fan 'cos she's not yours she's just your turn and is therefore so wholesome. I'll delete this comment soon 'cos I've just made myself cringe.
@@KeishaGray-n2yAhhh yes. Because your subjective opinions somehow mean something. Some people are proud of their intellectual accomplishments and here you are thinking your opinions on actors are gold. 😂 Talk about proof of a low bar.
grew up with JCVD begging our dad to watch his films at an early age. Blokes a legend "you're good" "i get better" I only wish him the very best in life
You went over the Kickboxer and made it sound like it was nothing special. For me and millions more on the planet, it is his biggest movie. I grew up watching that movie maybe a hundred times over on VHS. Oh man, i miss those times.
Kickboxer was HUGE! In my mind, or to my memory (I'm 50) the announcement and trailer of that movie were the biggest I can remember, other than Michael Keaton's Batman.
I love this man! I used to watch him in the 90’s. I don’t remember what his movies were about. I only watched his movies to see him. Very handsome and clean cut!!!!!!
legendary 90s actor in my opinion, he might not have been a prize fighter, but the fight sequences in his films have been otherworldly to me, especially as a kid. didn't know he also had a formal ballett education, but in retrospect it surely has greatly enriched his fight coreographies
My first celebrity crush when I was 12! ❤ I always root for him to be respected as an actor - and to his return to popularity. Those were days that action movies weren't just about explosions
I'm an 80's baby... and van damn inspired me to start karate in the late 90's I loves all of his movies... he was and will always be an inspiration for millions even if they don't want to admit it
I think a lot of the dislike or hatred towards Van Damme is pure Jealousy and bitterness, what he has achieved. Its amazing what he has accomplished both in the field of Marshal Arts, Dancing, and as an Actor. How can any human being not have respect for what he has achieved?
"Every day I said 'thank you' in advance, for my success." Something the entitled youth of today should learn to do. JCVD is a legend of the 80's and 90's. He was my favorite of the action heroes (Arnold, Stallone, Norris, Willis, Segal etc.).
I liked Van Damme's movies back in the Day. I preferred him over Segal because Van Damme never came off as a cocky or egotistical in his films. Wether he was as down to earth in real life I don't know, but at least to me, he was more likeable on screen.
I am a Van Damme fan all the way. Common this man `fought' his way from nothing to rise above in a totally new environment not even speaking the language. I admire him dispute his 'flaws...which of us is ever truly perfect?...he just happens to be in the spotlight. I enjoy all his movies
JC is his own worst enemy. But I still believe he has a good heart. His ability to laugh at himself & his image is refreshing. I just wish for his own sake that he would get his act together and realize that his family is his greatest treasure.
I like so many of his movies, i still watch them from time to time especially Bloodsport, Kickboxer, Lionheart, Legionaire, The Quest, Double Impact, Universal Soldiers. He was my favourite actor growing up.
I remember seeing him on a late night talk show in the 90's. He was so coked out of his mind he couldn't keep up with the interview. It was really shocking...
Van Damme (as the main villain) was the best part of any Expendables film. Kickboxer and Bloosport are iconic fighting flicks. But my own personal favorite JCVD flick has gotta be TimeCop. It's such guilty pleasure of peak cheesy 80's action.
you shouldve seen the lines and the fan base on comic con brussels 2023, they never had so many people showing up in all those years. traffic outside was crazy. Thousands stood hours in line, and paid 200 euro for a picture with JCVD, including me. i was stunned he still is so popular. people in line flew in from different countries just for the meet and a picture of 30 seconds..
There's something that wasn't mentioned, something that everyone in France and Belgium thinks about when thinking about Jean Claude: the things he often said on French TV shows, his "philosophical" quotes! Sometimes, it didn't make sense (to everyone else but to him) but often, he would say something deep but use weird analogies and people just laughed at what he was saying. There are even websites dedicated to his quotes! He would say things like: *_"I am fascinated by the air. If we removed the air from the sky, all the birds would fall to the ground...and the airplanes too. At the same time, the air, you can't touch it. It exists and it doesn't exist. It feeds the man without him being hungry, it's magic! The air is beautiful but at the same time, you can't see it. It's soft but you can't touch it. The air is a bit like my brain."_* or here, where he was invited and interviewed on the French version of a "Big Brother" kind of show, talking to the Big Brother participants: *_"You have to believe even more what you believe and when you start to believe what you believe, there is no one in the world who can move you!"_* _(the participants started clapping but he wanted them take him seriously and to think about what he just said instead of just clapping because they're just supposed to. Weary and annoyed, he said)_ *_"Oh no, stop the clapping! Fucking hell, stop with this bullshit! I'm being real with you, I'm not in show-business mode, okay?"_*
Well I wouldn't say that all Belgians thinks "something" about his quotes. For example I've never heard him speak on TV in Belgium. Perhaps you don't know but Belgium is divided in 2 regions: Flemish and French speaking people. Because he rather like to speak French, perhaps he was on the French speaking TV stations. And I didn't watched those channels. Yes I'm Belgian. I lived in the town where he once used to live, that was a Flemish speaking own by the way. He was already gone when I went there. My father was born and raised there, so we went living there when I was 12. Before we lived in Brussels. In the same street where he lived in that Flemish town (Affligem - known in America for their beer), some family of his was still living there - a few houses away from the house where he used to live. I knew them briefly. Mother: Stephanie, her 2 daughters: Valerie and Barbara. Dad: I saw him only once. Busy man, he had a company. I've even taken a picture of them, they were 19 and 15 if I remember correctly. I don't know much about JC, actually not more than you, except for what I told here. He had in gym in Brussels once. He's still coming to Belgium to meet his family and some friends. That's all I know.
"How can you work that hard you just give all your money away"comedian Bill Burr. When I quit or get fired from my job I don't still get paid. These divorce settlements are insane and these guys just keep on doing it.
I do enjoy watching him dance and his martial arts. I have not heard of any Boxer who competes or Mixed Martial Artists that doesn't take ballet classes. It's an important part of training. Mohammed Ali talked about taking these classes.
Van Damme has had an incredible career! Came from nothing to be one of the biggest movie stars in the world. My favourite action star of all time. He’s a legend.
I still remember what the double impact movie poster said,.. "twin brothers separated by violence, one packs a punch one packs a peace but together they deliver" I only know this because me and my stepbrother had to wait 30 minutes to get picked up after watching it and we kept repeating the line out of boredom.
Regarding Van-Damme's 1st wife & whether or not he's a 'gold digger', the short answer to me is no. If Van-Damme's marriage was arranged and both parties were fully aware of what they were putting in and getting out of the marriage, it's not gold digging, it's a transactional relationship.
JCVD was a huge inspiration to a teenager in the early 1990s. Much the same way, Bruce Lee was and still is. No matter his off screen struggles, we grew up aspiring to achieve the greatness represented on the big screen. Those were much simpler times. Characters like those portrayed by JCVD represented the good we all hoped to live up to.
Excelent story and very interesting visual matirial. Started listening the video while cooking a meal, and had to watch it, because of images. I was never a fan of this actor, but was curious to know what happened to a handsom J-C. Was impressed od his career and a personal life. Thank you for composing an amazing document.
He was in most of my favorite movies and continues to play good roles. A great force in the industry, loves his kids/family and overcame much. In short he is a legend.👍
Now i have to grab some JCVD dvds 📀 from the ole collection to watch this wknd. He was a BONIFIED movie star! It never lasts forever. Nothing does. -NY
Van Damme's one of the best action stars of the 80's / 90's along with Arnie an Stallone. Action movies today or the stars don't even compare. He's also an inspiration for many of us that took up martial arts. Many actors lose their way, even us regulars. He's however found his again. A lot of stars think to highly of themselves.
This is a fantastic story, I grew up on Van Damme’s films as a child and loved them, to tell you the truth I thoroughly enjoyed this video, I will check out other biographies from your channel.
Jean-Claude reminds me of Patric Swazee, both a master of there career's. Non judgemental, you can't judge someone you don't know. I wish him well. I'm guessing there's some jealousy out there.
I love this guy , much as I love Jackie Chan . I especially love that scene where he's dancing, slightly drunk , and fights off guys who've been told inflammatory lies by his Teacher ! 😆
One thing I've noticed about guys like JVD and Arnold the guys that came to the US from Europe and made it big in Hollywood. Their English may not have been very good, and may not have been the best actors, but they still managed to get very far in Hollywood because they were very Charming and had a charisma factor...
Double Impact was a fun action flick and so was Timecop! Glad to hear he changed his ways, as a family we enjoyed all his movies through 80's and after.
Jean-Claude Van Damme did finally appear as a playable character in the VIDEO GAME "MORTAL KOMBAT 1" 2023.. including voice over work with the video game character as well.
Van Damme was a huge part of my childhood. We all wanted to be him. On a side note, Tong Po from kickboxer gave me fkn nightmares as a 7 year old. That dude was scary af
I don’t blame JC for complaining about the Predator suit he had to wear, it was a joke. And being 5 ft 9, I think he was too short to play the alien hunter. Kevin Peter Hall (RIP 😢) was 7 ft 2 and there was a scene where he grabbed Arnold Schwarzenegger by the neck and really lifted him in the air. Kevin owned the role.
Someone should do a film on his life. It would be a big success. Hes experienced so much aspects of life. The struggle from a nobody to famous actor, all the women he's had, the fortune he's made, the obvious drug issues he has had. It would make an awesome film
The massive alimony cost is certainly a lot of money, but, an egotist playing the field must pay the price for playing the game, surely he's not stupid enough not to realise that, and the abuse is completely unacceptable in my opinion 38:55
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His movies made my childhood much more fun. In the early 2000s, every kid in my town loved all Van Damme movies.
I remember Bloodsport, I think it was named, when he went out in a split and did an uppercut into the balls of his opponent while screaming. Bad ass scene, back then, somewhere in the 80's 😌
Bloodsport is one of my all time favorites @@elvenkind6072. We must have watched it several times as kids, and we would walk out at the end feeling like badasses.
He did a comedy show with Amazon a year or two ago that was amazing but wasn't picked up. It's worth a watch bc I think he was way funnier than I imagined.
he has a house in belgium at Knokke very close to me.
I was shocked to see that he was alot smaller in real life then in his movies.
He is a great guy though for as far as we know.
He was my childhood hero..💪
JCVD is the reason I started kickboxing. This guy was an inspiration for many of us youngsters in the late 80's early 90's.
I wish people wouldn’t call him JCVD and just spend the time writing Van Damme. JCVD sounds either like a make of VHS player or he has some sort of exotic STD.
True .me too.
Cool. JCVD was great at what he did. -Ohio
Paco was then planted seed for me. Had bonuses what I was looking at with his fighting style, but I was fascinated. Fast forward 30+ years later, I just got back from a month in Thailand and have been teaching Muay Thai for almost 2 decades. It all started with Bloodsport.
he's a real champ, he good model.
Van Damme as the villain in Expendables 2, was actually terrifying. He did really well in that role and was convincing.
Yes! He was an excellent villain.
@@popeye5274 First time I was ever actually convinced that he could act. He was cold, calm and ruthless and I actually liked him as a villain. He's played one before, but he was always overacting as usual and I didn't find him very convincing as a result. But in that movie, he was pitch perfect.
@@MrBilld75I second this comment!
Uh huh. Watched the scene. The skinniest teen could be terrifying, if they hold a weapon. Probably the skinny teen would be more terrifying last years! Here's the thing. Americans are particularly sensitive to strangers, to the point of asking out-of-city visitors twenty questions before they're "one of us". Imagine then the effect of putting perfect vocabulary British actors trained in the theatre (sic) with powerful, trained voices -- or anyone displaying intelligence, really. That (right there) is the enemy of the born American, ancestors quickly removed from memory. But failing that, just default to someone with an accent, and -> big arrow pointing to -> this is the enemy. It's getting rather old. Been that way since cinema... screen writers and casters must all be sacked for there to ever be a fresh take at this. Or one of them have to be an artist and go out on a limb. Cohen brothers try their mightiest and haven't thought of that, so there's no-one. There is no all-American villain in Hollywood or elsewhere, ever.
Love it! So great to see that 360 split kick again on the big screen
I loved all his movies growing up and I still do. Lionheart, Kickboxer, Double Impact and Universal Soldier being my favorites
Hard target and Universal Soldier are my faves.
@@realreviews4017 Definitely remember Hard Target too. Another great one.
for me it was Hard Target, Universal Soldier and Timecop
@@tomsmith6513 Definitely a true legend
"Lionheart" was called "Wrong Bet" in many places outside of the US.
When I lived in Portland in the 1990s, he used to come into my nightclub. I actually made him pay cover because I didn't recognize him at first, and when I realized who it was I was going to wave him through. But he insisted on paying for himself and his guests. He was really nice.
That’s refreshing I love it
Oh, that's probably where he got f***** u*The most. Portland. go figure. Lol
He probably liked being treated normally and paying his own way.
tells more about you than about him.....
ALL of us who grew up in the 80s (the best era btw), love or hate him, enjoyed his movies!
Most of he's movies where in the 90s, he only did 2 in the late 80s
he made 9 movies before 90s which been his best roles@@corymiller536 in 90s he did only USoldier and after that all movies are B class
His movies span the early 90's also.
Lies again? Target Chevrolet Sharp USD SGD
@@corymiller536 Grew up in the 80s means teenager in the 90s
I don't care what they say about this actor I thought he was fantastic athletic handsome and very intelligent and everybody grows old so if people can't understand that tough Anyway he's a true legend And he looked handsome no matter what his age was
This video is a lie, he had many fights before, even national fights.
Not EVERYONE grows old. Only the privileged few gets a full life. It's a blessing not a curse.
average life span in a western world is at 70-80 age isnt a privilege. talking about life is a privilege is like stating breathing is.@@Davido50
It'd be cool if the narrator took the time to learn how to pronounce names
How embarrassing
Years before Kickboxer, a retired Hollywood agent here in the Los Feliz area/ Hollywood always tells stories of JCVD doing odds jobs like house painting and gardening. Showed us an old VHS cassette of VD in thick accent, learning how to pronounce American words like "cement truck" early 80's. There are still local shops who remember him back from the 80's. and of course, widowers would hire him to do their house work, being a foreign young hunk back then. Van Damme was ALWAYS in the same league as Ahnold, Bruce Willis and Stallone.
This is gold. I would like to talk to this retired Hollywood agent.
Thank you for the beautiful insight into this man's life. I hope you do not mind Jean , Big love.
You forgot chuck and Steven. They were big then too.
@@ebogar42 Steven ?? hahahahaha ! nah... Marc Dacascos yes, Bolo Yeung yes, Chuck yes, Bruce Lee yes, Jet Li yes, Donnie Yen yes. and so many ! but Seagall ?? hell no.
@@jiboo6850 Not sure why some of you want to pretend like at one time he wasn't putting out good movies.
He was the best actor in 90’s ! No one can entertain fighting scenes like him.
“Cyborg”
AWOL is still one of my favourites. A real raw movie and acting was on point!
True that👍🏼
Cyborg was my sh** 😂. Love that movie.
One of the best.
No matter what most people think, going from a European life, language and discipline, moving to America, relearn your life, accomplish the impossible to break into Hollywood, it requires a superhuman effort. Schwartzeneger had to go through a similar process. Walking a fine line between staying in top condition and learning acting and being selected to films may look easy, it is not. All the success stories in many areas had plenty of heartache along the way to attempting success and to continue requires even more effort and never getting comfortable to keep on challenging and driving yourself. I have respect for anyone that can have success in entertainment. It is not like any other job and the pain and demands to be consistent can be overwhelming in all parts of entertainment. Many action actors are permanently injured as in sports and continuing to act may become too difficult. Nothing is easy, entertainment has its dues as in all professions. I thank him for all his hard work, talent and great movies. So many great actors have passed on and we can all miss their talent but they will live on in their films. We still have Clint Eastwood. Bruce Lee was also amazing and had a strange death to pass away so young. I thank them all for leaving us with such great films and teachings in life.
You brought up many significant points! I hope they will not be ignored!!! Which seems to be the pattern of this day!!!! 14:44
I feel The American’s ettotl rgootsttig
😊
Reminder: americans are mafiozi europeans who conquered the land
True, well spoken.
He is a great example of how success in Hollywood is not a realistic representation of who a person is behind closed doors. But watching his movies as a kid put me on the trajectory of becoming a lifelong martial artist. I'll always be grateful for that. Another great video!
JCVD is a flawed human being. Just like we all are. But he has brought a lot of joy to many of us. 1 of the few things my father & I bonded over were Jean Claude's films in the early 90s. Went together to see them all in theater. I carry those fond memories with me to this day. I very much enjoyed this biography on JCVD!👍
Same here his movies were 🔥. I still love the man paying the hero or bad guy. I was so excited to see him come back in expendables . Would have love to see him doing more today but the kick boxer series I wasn't a fan of but the first one he did was great. But mainstream left him behind and as I'm learning getting old sucks
@lesterking2790 I'm in the same boat as you my friend. At 41 yrs old, I'm realizing father time is taking its toll. It's nice to have the prime JCVD films to look back on. Takes you back to when we were younger. And I'm glad to see Jean Claude accepting where he is at this stage in his life. Mainstream appeal is behind him. But there's still a niche for him in entertainment. All the best to you!👍
He was 19 and his girl friend 12 in his first relationship… yea he’s flawed
Van Damme is awesome.. man had rough times but became a best version of himself.
Yes, brother but stop using those B.S. modern one-liners like "best version of himself", anybody merely regurgitating Gen "Z' B.S. only postures knowing, Lol!
yes
steven segal went in the opposite direction LOL
@@AndrewFord Not only is he the best version of himself but he's also on his purpose and not treating women like a celebrity or they'll treat him like a fan 'cos she's not yours she's just your turn and is therefore so wholesome. I'll delete this comment soon 'cos I've just made myself cringe.
@@nelsonhibbert5267your comment makes no sense at all. Is English not your first language !!😂😂
He was and still is one of my favorite action stars!❤
Your bar clearly isn’t set very high.
@@bushbabybotha9943 Actually it is, I just know great talent when I see it, thank you!
@@KeishaGray-n2y apparently not! You have absolutely no class or intellect.
@@KeishaGray-n2yno you don’t !! He’s a terrible actor and a small man ! Thank you
@@KeishaGray-n2yAhhh yes. Because your subjective opinions somehow mean something.
Some people are proud of their intellectual accomplishments and here you are thinking your opinions on actors are gold. 😂 Talk about proof of a low bar.
grew up with JCVD begging our dad to watch his films at an early age.
Blokes a legend
"you're good"
"i get better"
I only wish him the very best in life
Quote from "No Retreat No Surrender" 😏
My grandmother loved him. Every time his movies came on TBS she was watching it.
You went over the Kickboxer and made it sound like it was nothing special. For me and millions more on the planet, it is his biggest movie. I grew up watching that movie maybe a hundred times over on VHS. Oh man, i miss those times.
Kickboxer was HUGE! In my mind, or to my memory (I'm 50) the announcement and trailer of that movie were the biggest I can remember, other than Michael Keaton's Batman.
@@huntingwolf20 im 33, but i grew up on that and a couple of other movies on VHS. It was by far my favorite.
I love this man! I used to watch him in the 90’s. I don’t remember what his movies were about. I only watched his movies to see him. Very handsome and clean cut!!!!!!
Cleanest kicks in the entire history of foreverness! JCVD is a Legend!
Van Damme will be one of my favorites action stars !!!!! God bless him and thanks for making my life enjoyable !!!
Time Cop is a wonderful movie-pure, imaginative entertainment.
Never cared about him but first part of this video actually made me like him. Not many man now have balls like him.
legendary 90s actor in my opinion, he might not have been a prize fighter, but the fight sequences in his films have been otherworldly to me, especially as a kid. didn't know he also had a formal ballett education, but in retrospect it surely has greatly enriched his fight coreographies
Blood sport was my first favorite film, when I was a kid.
My first celebrity crush when I was 12! ❤ I always root for him to be respected as an actor - and to his return to popularity. Those were days that action movies weren't just about explosions
Same
My teenage crush was Mr Miyagi.
Right? It's why I literally quit watching movies it's all either explosions or sex
My teenage crush was Scarlet Johansson.
@@djquinn11 She used to be married to Mr. Miyagi.
Jean Claude is the best and always will be.
👌🏼😎
I'm an 80's baby... and van damn inspired me to start karate in the late 90's I loves all of his movies... he was and will always be an inspiration for millions even if they don't want to admit it
I think a lot of the dislike or hatred towards Van Damme is pure Jealousy and bitterness, what he has achieved. Its amazing what he has accomplished both in the field of Marshal Arts, Dancing, and as an Actor. How can any human being not have respect for what he has achieved?
I love his movies, he is so HANDSOME .
"Every day I said 'thank you' in advance, for my success."
Something the entitled youth of today should learn to do. JCVD is a legend of the 80's and 90's. He was my favorite of the action heroes (Arnold, Stallone, Norris, Willis, Segal etc.).
I liked Van Damme's movies back in the Day. I preferred him over Segal because Van Damme never came off as a cocky or egotistical in his films. Wether he was as down to earth in real life I don't know, but at least to me, he was more likeable on screen.
I am a Van Damme fan all the way. Common this man `fought' his way from nothing to rise above in a totally new environment not even speaking the language. I admire him dispute
his 'flaws...which of us is ever truly perfect?...he just happens to be in the spotlight. I enjoy all his movies
Very impressive especially considering his battle with a bipolar diagnosis
JC is his own worst enemy. But I still believe he has a good heart. His ability to laugh at himself & his image is refreshing. I just wish for his own sake that he would get his act together and realize that his family is his greatest treasure.
He's a guy who supports Trump and said he'd lose the 2016 election because of the Illuminati.
Great guy! 😂😂
Being bipolar might be the most difficult thing to overcome in life. He does great with what he has
@illuminat* ? What is that?orangejjay
I like so many of his movies, i still watch them from time to time especially Bloodsport, Kickboxer, Lionheart, Legionaire, The Quest, Double Impact, Universal Soldiers. He was my favourite actor growing up.
I remember seeing him on a late night talk show in the 90's. He was so coked out of his mind he couldn't keep up with the interview. It was really shocking...
Please send me the link to that
@@antwanjwoods Wish I could but I can't find it. I've scoured YT looking for it.
Just an update guys, Van Damme is the voice of Johnny Cage in the new Mortal Kombat. Finally we got to see his likeness in the game. 👍👍👍
Performing his arts he looks like a flying ANGEL !
Jean Claude Van Damme is in the newest Mortal Kombat.
I was holding back tears when I saw the trailer.
He was always Johny Cage in our minds. We all k ew that
Me indeed
You almost cried over a game trailer......Holy.... Just.... Please don't reproduce.
Van Damme (as the main villain) was the best part of any Expendables film. Kickboxer and Bloosport are iconic fighting flicks. But my own personal favorite JCVD flick has gotta be TimeCop. It's such guilty pleasure of peak cheesy 80's action.
What was the name of the movie where he's kind of a hillbilly he has a mullet in it I can't remember the name SMFH
@@tequiuakanpol2062Hard Target 🎯
Timecop was 1995
you shouldve seen the lines and the fan base on comic con brussels 2023, they never had so many people showing up in all those years. traffic outside was crazy. Thousands stood hours in line, and paid 200 euro for a picture with JCVD, including me. i was stunned he still is so popular. people in line flew in from different countries just for the meet and a picture of 30 seconds..
There's something that wasn't mentioned, something that everyone in France and Belgium thinks about when thinking about Jean Claude: the things he often said on French TV shows, his "philosophical" quotes! Sometimes, it didn't make sense (to everyone else but to him) but often, he would say something deep but use weird analogies and people just laughed at what he was saying. There are even websites dedicated to his quotes! He would say things like:
*_"I am fascinated by the air. If we removed the air from the sky, all the birds would fall to the ground...and the airplanes too. At the same time, the air, you can't touch it. It exists and it doesn't exist. It feeds the man without him being hungry, it's magic! The air is beautiful but at the same time, you can't see it. It's soft but you can't touch it. The air is a bit like my brain."_*
or here, where he was invited and interviewed on the French version of a "Big Brother" kind of show, talking to the Big Brother participants:
*_"You have to believe even more what you believe and when you start to believe what you believe, there is no one in the world who can move you!"_* _(the participants started clapping but he wanted them take him seriously and to think about what he just said instead of just clapping because they're just supposed to. Weary and annoyed, he said)_ *_"Oh no, stop the clapping! Fucking hell, stop with this bullshit! I'm being real with you, I'm not in show-business mode, okay?"_*
I'm hooked, I need to find more of these! Thanks for the laugh ✌😁
A megalomaniacal quasi intellectual guru too, Van Damme never fails to surprise.
Well I wouldn't say that all Belgians thinks "something" about his quotes. For example I've never heard him speak on TV in Belgium. Perhaps you don't know but Belgium is divided in 2 regions: Flemish and French speaking people. Because he rather like to speak French, perhaps he was on the French speaking TV stations. And I didn't watched those channels. Yes I'm Belgian.
I lived in the town where he once used to live, that was a Flemish speaking own by the way. He was already gone when I went there. My father was born and raised there, so we went living there when I was 12. Before we lived in Brussels. In the same street where he lived in that Flemish town (Affligem - known in America for their beer), some family of his was still living there - a few houses away from the house where he used to live. I knew them briefly. Mother: Stephanie, her 2 daughters: Valerie and Barbara. Dad: I saw him only once. Busy man, he had a company. I've even taken a picture of them, they were 19 and 15 if I remember correctly. I don't know much about JC, actually not more than you, except for what I told here. He had in gym in Brussels once. He's still coming to Belgium to meet his family and some friends. That's all I know.
@@ExperiencedGhostInteresting comment to read. Thanks for sharing.
@sadlander2 Interesting that there is a website posting his quotes. :)
The story you have shared is simply amazing. He's an inspiration and a favorite act. Much love JCV
Story is a lie, he had many fights even national where here they talk all fights before movies are fake.
The legend of immortal kicks in the world of cinema and the fight that will not be repeated
"How can you work that hard you just give all your money away"comedian Bill Burr. When I quit or get fired from my job I don't still get paid. These divorce settlements are insane and these guys just keep on doing it.
Only ups and downs can make you understand the meaning of life and become a better person how to have impact on others.
I do enjoy watching him dance and his martial arts. I have not heard of any Boxer who competes or Mixed Martial Artists that doesn't take ballet classes. It's an important part of training. Mohammed Ali talked about taking these classes.
Such a colourful character. Despite his failures and foibles, you can't help but love him.
I always like the guy.. he was my hero when I was young.. and he is still my hero now..
Van Damme has had an incredible career! Came from nothing to be one of the biggest movie stars in the world. My favourite action star of all time. He’s a legend.
Overall, you did a pretty good job on this biography and I liked it - thank you!
Regardless of his bad I always enjoyed watching all his movies and looked up to him
I even love his direct to video movies
"I think I failed"
I love the humble self reflection.
Wow, I never knew he did so many movies!! You've opened my eyes with your amazing fountain of information! Thanks so much for sharing !!
He is a legend... and an open book! Hope you do him right with this
I still remember what the double impact movie poster said,.. "twin brothers separated by violence, one packs a punch one packs a peace but together they deliver" I only know this because me and my stepbrother had to wait 30 minutes to get picked up after watching it and we kept repeating the line out of boredom.
lots of Jean-Claude Van-Damage 💪
He has lived a great life. He sought his dream. A gigolo, actor and martial artist
Grew up watching him! Bloodsport! Kickboxer, Lion heart! He musta had wild times in the 90s lol glad he is still around!
Great retrospective on Van Damme. Will you be doing a Dolph Lundgren episode in the future? Great Channel 💯👊
Yep)
Regarding Van-Damme's 1st wife & whether or not he's a 'gold digger', the short answer to me is no. If Van-Damme's marriage was arranged and both parties were fully aware of what they were putting in and getting out of the marriage, it's not gold digging, it's a transactional relationship.
God doesn't give you fame. That's Satan's game.
Still a favorite action star.❤😊
The man, the mith, the legend! Thank you for entertaining me over the years! 😊
I like his Volvo Truck commercials where he does a stunt balancing between two semis.
JCVD was a huge inspiration to a teenager in the early 1990s. Much the same way, Bruce Lee was and still is. No matter his off screen struggles, we grew up aspiring to achieve the greatness represented on the big screen. Those were much simpler times. Characters like those portrayed by JCVD represented the good we all hoped to live up to.
Excelent story and very interesting visual matirial. Started listening the video while cooking a meal, and had to watch it, because of images. I was never a fan of this actor, but was curious to know what happened to a handsom J-C. Was impressed od his career and a personal life. Thank you for composing an amazing document.
I absolutely love love, love Van Damme. my brother made me watch bloodsport with him, and it was a wrap from there couldn’t get enough of him.
Very good channel, I enjoy all of your episodes so far, keep up the good work!
It’s more about his health struggles & Hollywood new age of films more than him getting blacklist …. He had a great run
I still ❤ all of his movies 😊😊❤❤
I grew up on him when I was kid. I used to watch Universal Soliders every friday after school for years. He was the action standard in the 90's.
JCVD was a 10 in his prime. He waa beyond handsome, charismatic and amazing in his art.
He was in most of my favorite movies and continues to play good roles. A great force in the industry, loves his kids/family and overcame much. In short he is a legend.👍
Still an absolute Legend :D
Now i have to grab some JCVD dvds 📀 from the ole collection to watch this wknd. He was a BONIFIED movie star! It never lasts forever. Nothing does. -NY
He ain't blacklisted. Yea he's not a blockbuster leading man these days but he's not blacklisted
Van Damme's one of the best action stars of the 80's / 90's along with Arnie an Stallone. Action movies today or the stars don't even compare. He's also an inspiration for many of us that took up martial arts. Many actors lose their way, even us regulars. He's however found his again. A lot of stars think to highly of themselves.
Bloodsport and Kickboxer were the reason I started Karate at 6. JCVD is a legend.
What the hell did he do to his wife for her to be covered in blood??!
Yea, they skipped over that real quick like.
This is a fantastic story, I grew up on Van Damme’s films as a child and loved them, to tell you the truth I thoroughly enjoyed this video, I will check out other biographies from your channel.
Jean-Claude reminds me of Patric Swazee, both a master of there career's.
Non judgemental, you can't judge someone you don't know.
I wish him well.
I'm guessing there's some jealousy out there.
May not have been the “most skilled” but he definitely changed the movie game in terms of martial arts movies. The mans a good actor with charisma
I love this guy , much as I love Jackie Chan . I especially love that scene where he's dancing, slightly drunk , and fights off guys who've been told inflammatory lies by his Teacher ! 😆
Von Damme?..i thought his name was Van Damme. If you're going to change Van to Von, you might as well call him Von Domme.
I've noticed most videos are mispronouncing common names. Using AI is a big part of the problem.
a fantastic action actor. Hard Target is the best one and very funny too. Lance Henriksen as the main villain deserves an oscar too.
One thing I've noticed about guys like JVD and Arnold the guys that came to the US from Europe and made it big in Hollywood. Their English may not have been very good, and may not have been the best actors, but they still managed to get very far in Hollywood because they were very Charming and had a charisma factor...
Arnold had james Cameron the terminator van Damme has people no one has ever heard of except Woo
Double Impact was a fun action flick and so was Timecop! Glad to hear he changed his ways, as a family we enjoyed all his movies through 80's and after.
In the 90's my uncle would alwas bring bloodsport on VHS with him when he visited us every weekend. We were all JCVD fans.
Jean-Claude Van Damme did finally appear as a playable character in the VIDEO GAME "MORTAL KOMBAT 1" 2023.. including voice over work with the video game character as well.
I love his role in Expendables. the proof that he never lost it, always was the goat
I loved his movies as a kid. To me he was up there with Schwarzenegger and Willis.
Yep an Sylvester Stallone
Van Damme was a huge part of my childhood. We all wanted to be him. On a side note, Tong Po from kickboxer gave me fkn nightmares as a 7 year old. That dude was scary af
I don’t blame JC for complaining about the Predator suit he had to wear, it was a joke. And being 5 ft 9, I think he was too short to play the alien hunter. Kevin Peter Hall (RIP 😢) was 7 ft 2 and there was a scene where he grabbed Arnold Schwarzenegger by the neck and really lifted him in the air. Kevin owned the role.
Someone should do a film on his life. It would be a big success. Hes experienced so much aspects of life. The struggle from a nobody to famous actor, all the women he's had, the fortune he's made, the obvious drug issues he has had. It would make an awesome film
That was a great biography of the star i mean you went in deep good job
Jean-Claude Van Johnson was surprisingly hilarious with some fun action stunts. I'd watch more of him.
Van Damme is like any other average actor.... fake it until you make it
bloodsport, street fighter and cyborg are my fav Van Damne movies.
Street fighter is my favourite action comedy
The massive alimony cost is certainly a lot of money, but, an egotist playing the field must pay the price for playing the game, surely he's not stupid enough not to realise that, and the abuse is completely unacceptable in my opinion 38:55