Actor. Born Jean-Claude Van Varenbeerg in 1961 in Brussels, Belgium. Powerfully built star of popular Hollywood action films. A former European Karate Champion, he began studying martial arts at eleven and soon won the European Professional Karate Association's middleweight championship. Profiting from his black belt title, he ran the California Gym in Brussels before coming to the U.S. in 1981. After a series of odd jobs as a limo driver, carpet layer, bouncer and trainer, he got his first break in a bit part opposite fellow action star Chuck Norris in Missing in Action (1984). His well-muscled physique and martial arts skills led to a contract with Cannon Films. Under the guidance of Menahem Golan, he starred in a string of low budget action-adventure films, notably Bloodsport (1988), where he played American Ninja Frank Dux. These movies proved his marketability as a leading movie hero and led to his nickname, "Muscles From Brussels."
