
Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg (French: [ʒɑ̃ klod kamij fʁɑ̃swa van vaʁənbɛʁɡ], Dutch: [vɑɱ ˈvaːrə(m)ˌbɛr(ə)x]; born 18 October 1960), known professionally as Jean-Claude Van Damme (French: [van dam], Dutch: [vɑn ˈdɑmə]), is a Belgian actor, martial artist, filmmaker, and fight choreographer. Credited with helping popularize martial arts in film, Van Damme is widely regarded as one of the most iconic martial arts action stars of all time. Thereafter, Van Damme continued starring in more action films and playing supporting role as Master Croc in the Kung Fu Panda franchise (2011–2016), and Jean-Clawed in Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022).