Was Van Damme a Ballet Dancer?

Ballet

Jean-Claude Van Damme, the Belgian-born actor and martial arts champion, is best known for his 1980s action films such as Bloodsport, Kickboxer and Double Impact. He is also remembered for his iconic splits between two moving trucks in the film Hard Target. However, what many people don’t know about Van Damme is that he was also a professional ballet dancer.

Van Damme was born in Brussels, Belgium in 1960. As a child he was involved in a number of sports, including karate and soccer.

At the age of twelve he decided to pursue dance seriously, training at the Royal Academy of Dance and eventually becoming a professional dancer. He performed in various ballets with the Royal Ballet of Flanders and also appeared on television shows as a dancer.

In 1979, Van Damme was cast in his first feature film, Monaco Forever. This marked the beginning of his acting career and propelled him to international stardom.

Although he continued to appear in films throughout the 1980s, Van Damme never lost touch with his dancing roots. He often incorporated ballet moves into fight scenes in his action films and even choreographed some of them himself.

In addition to being an accomplished martial artist and actor, Van Damme is also an experienced stuntman. He has trained extensively in acrobatics and gymnastics over the years and continues to perform death-defying stunts on screen today.

Conclusion:

Yes, Jean-Claude Van Damme was indeed a professional ballet dancer before turning to action movies; however today he is mainly known for his martial arts skills rather than his dance abilities. Nevertheless, it’s clear that Van Damme’s training as a dancer gave him an edge when it comes to performing stunts on camera.