Among the most popular action stars in the 1980s and 1990s was Jean-Claude Van Damme. He was well-known for his on-camera splits, but he was also well-known for having a chaotic love life. Even though he had a turbulent life and career and was a successful action and sci-fi star, he has since faded into the direct-to-DVD garbage.
The actor, who was born in Belgium, has had several marriages, extramarital affairs, and Hollywood bridge burning under his belt. Throughout his 35-year career, the actor—a former ballerina and martial arts practitioner—has experienced many highs and lows.
Jean-Claude Van Damme is a five-time married man. The Expendables star wed Maria Rodriguez, a native of Venezuela, for the first time. A year before he retired from martial arts and relocated to Los Angeles, they were married in 1980. 1984 saw their divorce.
Jean-Claude wed Cynthia Derderian the following year, but their union was short-lived as his Hollywood career quickly gained momentum. He wed Gladys Portugues, an actress, fitness competitor, and former bodybuilder, in 1987. Together, they have a daughter named Bianca and a boy named Kris.
In 1992, he and Gladys’ marriage collapsed due to rumors of an affair. Nicholas Van Varenberg was born to him and Darcy LaPier, the woman he was allegedly having an affair with, in 1994. In 1999, following a personal struggle with drugs, he remarried Gladys.
Van Damme, who is still legally married to Gladys Portugues, had dated Ulkranian model Alena Kaverina for ten years.
What transpired between Kylie Minogue and Jean-Claude Van Damme Streetfighter Kylie Jean Claude through Universal Pictures
Rumors of an affair between Jean-Claude Van Damme and Kylie Minogue, his co-star in Street Fighter, dated back decades. Rumors dating back more than 20 years stated that while the 1994 film was being filmed in Thailand, the actor had an affair with the Australian pop singer.
Van Damme would leave interviews when asked about his relationship with Kylie Minogue because he got so irritated by the question. At last, he addressed the rumors in a 2014 interview with the Guardian. Indeed. Alright. Indeed, indeed, indeed. It took place. We had an affair when I was in Thailand.”
Early in his career, Jean-Claude Van Damme had to pay a large sum of money after it was determined that he was responsible for piercing the eye of a stunt worker.
“Sweet kiss, beautiful lovemaking,” was all he had to say about their relationship. She’s so gorgeous, and she was there in front of me every day with a lovely smile, simpatico, and charisma. It would be odd not to have had an affair. I showed her my Thailand because I was extremely familiar with it. She’s a wonderful woman.
During the affair, Van Damme was wed to Darcy LaPier, his fourth wife. It seems that she was unaware of the romance until she came across the interview. “I was shocked he would talk to the press about this all these years later to gain some notoriety,” she said. “I didn’t know about it, I have had my feelings hurt and I feel betrayed.”
“While there is a great deal of history between us, the truth is that at that time I was expecting our son. He’s almost seventeen now, and I wouldn’t want him to learn about this and get harmed as well.”
She added that she had worked on sets with Kylie Minogue, who had been a successful singer in addition to having a brief acting career. “Kylie always seemed intimidated by me, and now I know why,” she said. Every week, I talk to (Claude), so I’ll say something. This isn’t hip.”
Due to his failing career and the dissolution of his marriage to Darcy LaPier, Jean-Claude Van Damme turned to drugs.
The star of Universal Soldier has acknowledged that he was addicted to cocaine, using ten grams a day, which cost him about $10,000 a week. In 1999, he was charged with DUI, and his son’s custody was revoked. He entered rehab to get over his problem, but he was out in seven days.
Jean-Claude Van Damme was Chuck Norris’ regular bouncer before he starred in movies like Bloodsport.
The Double Impact actor’s long-undiagnosed bipolar disease has been connected to his substance addiction issue. He would seek assistance from martial arts training before receiving a diagnosis. “When I didn’t train for a couple of days, I felt so low and nothing could make me happy.”
In 1998, Van Damme received a rapid cycling bipolar disorder diagnosis and began taking medication to stabilize his mood. “I had no motivation to live… Nothing was exciting me at all. After that, you need to regain your sense of worth. And then, gradually, every aspect of you regains its value… It’s a problem you need to cure, not something caused by the medications.”
His ex-wife provided support while he cleaned up his life and helped his career get back on track. On June 25, 1999, he wed Gladys once again.