Born and Raised in Brussels, Belgium on October 18th, 1960, Claude Van Varenberg (adopting the name "Van Damme" from an early mentor) was a self-admitted "skinny, sensitive kid who loved classical music and painting," among other childhood studies. At the urging of his father, he began early instruction in ballet and karate--foreshadowing a career that would later capitalize on the intertwined nature of both. Invited to join the Paris Opera as a dancer, the young Van Damme instead chose to focus on karate and body-building, quitting school to operate his very own successful fitness center, The California Gym in Brussels...