Jean-Claude Van Damme, also known as JCVD is a Belgian actor and retired martial artist best known for his martial arts action films. Since childhood, he had a keen interest in martial arts and later joined the National Center of Karate at the young age of 12. Before joining the film industry, Van Damme enjoyed his karate career from 1976 to 1982, winning several titles. He was also named `Mr. Belgium` in a bodybuilding competition. After a couple of struggling years, Van Damme got his first work in Breakin` (1984) as a background dancer. At the same time, he developed a friendship with action star Chuck Norris and later worked for him as a bouncer.

After a couple of supporting roles, he got a prominent role as a Russian villain in No Retreat, No Surrender (1986). Van Damme`s 1988 film Bloodsport proved to be the breakthrough moment of his career. After the success of Bloodsport, he went on to deliver smashing hits like Cyborg (1989), Double Impact (1991), Nowhere to Run (1993), Hard Target (1993), Timecop (1994), Street Fighter (1994) among others. In 2008, Van Damme starred in JCVD, a crime drama film where he played the semi-fictionalized version of himself. In the Kung Fu Panda film franchise, he did the voice role of Master Croc. His other notable works include The Universal Soldier and Kickboxer film series. Van Damme`s other releases include Black Water and The Bouncer (2018), Kill Them All (2019), Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022),