Can you guess who this boy was—the one who wore thick glasses, studied classical ballet, and grew up to become one of the most famous action stars in the world? That boy was none other than Jean-Claude Van Damme, a name now recognized globally for his martial arts skills, charisma on screen, and signature splits.

But before the fame and fortune, Van Damme was just a fragile, shy child growing up in Belgium. He wasn’t the picture of strength or confidence. In fact, his classmates often teased him, and he bruised easily, which only added to his struggles. However, even from a young age, Jean-Claude had a deep appreciation for the arts. He didn’t start with martial arts right away—instead, he turned to ballet, a discipline that might seem unusual for someone who would later become a martial arts icon. For five years, Jean-Claude immersed himself in classical ballet, mastering grace, balance, and strength through demanding routines and performances. His dedication paid off so well that he was even invited to perform at the prestigious Paris Opera, a dream many dancers never achieve. Alongside ballet, he had a love for classical music, particularly the works of Ludwig van Beethoven.

The elegance and emotion in Beethoven’s compositions deeply influenced Van Damme’s artistic soul and would later shape the emotional depth he brought to his film characters. Despite his passion for ballet and music, Van Damme’s physical health remained a concern. He was often sickly and lacked the strength needed to keep up with his peers. His father, recognizing the need to toughen up his son, encouraged him to take up karate. That suggestion would prove to be life-changing. At the age of 10, Jean-Claude began training in Shotokan karate and eventually picked up kickboxing as well. What started as a way to strengthen his body quickly turned into a lifelong passion. Martial arts gave him the power and confidence he’d lacked as a child, and he trained with intense focus and dedication. He didn’t give up ballet either, managing to balance both worlds—a combination that would later define his unique style.

As he continued to train, Jean-Claude developed a reputation for his strength, precision, and flexibility, much of which he credited to his ballet background. The discipline, balance, and posture learned through dance translated seamlessly into his fighting style, giving his movements a fluid, almost artistic quality that set him apart from other martial artists. His growing skills earned him recognition, and before long, he became a karate champion in Belgium. While many saw martial arts and ballet as unrelated, Van Damme found a way to merge them beautifully. This fusion of styles allowed him to create fight scenes that were not just about brute force but also about elegance and choreography. When he transitioned to acting, his unique physical abilities made him stand out in the action movie genre. His roles often portrayed men who started off vulnerable or underestimated but grew into powerful, confident heroes—a transformation not unlike his own journey from frail little boy to global superstar.

His love for Beethoven and classical music also remained with him, helping him connect to the emotional core of the characters he played. In many of his most iconic roles, there’s a layer of vulnerability beneath the surface, a sensitivity that gave his action-packed films unexpected depth. Whether he was performing high kicks, explosive stunts, or executing perfect splits between two moving vehicles, Jean-Claude Van Damme brought something different to the screen—an artistry rooted in his childhood passions. What made him special wasn’t just his physical talent, but the way he used his early struggles, his love of the arts, and his fierce determination to rise above challenges. From a kid with thick glasses and a passion for ballet to a martial arts legend admired around the world, Jean-Claude Van Damme’s story is one of transformation, perseverance, and the surprising power of combining grace with grit.