Trained in martial arts at the age of 12 from Claude Goetz. Competed as a teenager and won numerous matches under his birth name. Came to Hollywood with aspirations of being an actor. Started out using the name "Frank Cujo", but it was while working as a stuntman on MISSING IN ACTION (1984) that Chuck Norris, impressed with the young Van Varenberg's talents, suggested the name "Jean-Claude Van Damme".

Trademark moves: Helicopter kick and full splits.