He began martial arts at the age of ten, enrolled by his father in a Shōtōkan karate school. His father is from Brussels and bilingual, and his mother is Flemish (Dutch-speaking). Van Damme was born Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg, on 18 October 1960, in Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Brussels, Belgium, the son of Eliana and Eugène Van Varenberg, who was an accountant and florist.
Born and raised in Brussels, Belgium, at the age of ten his father enrolled him in martial arts classes, which led to Van Damme entering several competitions.
Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg ( French:, Dutch: born 18 October 1960), known professionally as Jean-Claude Van Damme ( French:, Dutch: ), is a Belgian actor, martial artist, filmmaker, and fight choreographer.