Through perseverance, he won the title of Belgian karate champion. His physical abilities are impressive: flexibility, speed, precision… Every move seems to be choreographed with the elegance of a dance step.
The passion for Beethoven, an unexpected source of inspiration
Jean-Claude Van Damme doesn’t limit himself to the physical. From a young age, he was passionate about classical music. His favorite composer? Ludwig van Beethoven . In a world where movie heroes are often caricatured, he cultivates a great artistic sensibility. This passion even influences certain roles in his films, where his characters often evolve from shadow to light, a bit like Beethoven’s symphonies, which begin in tension and explode into sublimity.
From a little boy who was bullied to a film legend
His film career really took off in the United States, where he tried his luck with few resources but unwavering determination. Thanks to his exceptional physical abilities and natural presence, he quickly landed roles in successful films such as Bloodsport , Kickboxer , and Universal Soldier .
But what very few viewers know: Behind every somersault and kick is a boy with glasses who danced the ballet while listening to Beethoven.
