Jean-Claude Van Damme's most iconic signature moves

'Kickboxer' - Yet again, Van Damme displays his amazing moves in this 1989 movie. Probably the most emblematic one being his classic helicopter kick, which is essentially a 360° spinning kick. He used it in 'Bloodsport,' but 'Kickboxer' confirmed it as a signature move! His dance moves were pretty epic too!

10 / 28 Fotos

'Hard Target' - In 1993, Jean-Claude Van Damme starred in this action thriller, which became known for a unique scene.

11 / 28 Fotos

'Hard Target' - The scene where Jean-Claude Van Damme knocks out a snake with a single punch! Not only that, but he also removes the snake's rattle from its tail with his teeth!

12 / 28 Fotos

Epic split - Jean-Claude Van Damme has always been known for his amazing flexibility, which allows him to pull off the most amazing moves.

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Epic split - The basis of many of Jean-Claude Van Damme's moves is his capacity to do the splits, and do them well!

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Epic split - So Volvo thought Jean-Claude Van Damme would be perfect to advertise the precise steering on their trucks, and invited him to do the splits between two moving trucks.

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Epic split - The ad went viral and was a huge success. Volvo sales increased, and we all loved seeing Van Damme doing his Van Damme thing!

16 / 28 Fotos

Other movies - Armed with his signature kicks, the actor has taken action scenes in his films to the next level. Keep clicking to take a stroll down memory lane.

17 / 28 Fotos

'Double Impact' - What's better than one Jean-Claude Van Damme? Two of them! And that's exactly what you'll get in this movie.

18 / 28 Fotos

'Double Impact' - Jean-Claude Van Damme plays twin brothers who are separated when their parents are murdered, who later re-unite to avenge their parents' death. Plenty of action, including his signature high kicks!

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'Death Warrant' - What better way to use JCVD's skills than putting him in a prison as an undercover detective? During a classic fighting scene he even throws the bad guy into a furnace!

20 / 28 Fotos

'Universal Soldier' - JCVD starred in this film franchise in 1992. Apart from the final fighting scene, there's also a classic one in a diner. Can't a man just eat in peace? Apparently not.

21 / 28 Fotos

'Double Team' - In this 1997 sci-fi film you get Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dennis Rodman working together. Of course, like all of Van Damme's films, it has a classic fighting scene.

22 / 28 Fotos

'Cyborg' - There's rain, blood, sweat, and epic moves. This is yet another movie with a great fight scene, this one in the rain to make it all the more dramatic.

23 / 28 Fotos

'The Quest' - Do you want to see Jean-Claude Van Damme knock out a huge Mongolian fighter with his signature helicopter kick? Watch this film!

24 / 28 Fotos

'The Expendables 2' - Always wanted to see Jean-Claude Van Damme fighting Sylvester Stallone? Here's your chance!

25 / 28 Fotos

'Jean-Claude Van Johnson' - Essentially a parody of Jean-Claude Van Damme's life, in this Amazon Studios production you get to see some of his signature moves.

26 / 28 Fotos

Living legend -

With incredible moves and a great sense of humor, The Muscles from Brussels is one of Hollywood's most-loved action heroes.

Get to know other athletes turned movie stars!

27 / 28 Fotos

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Fighting style - A former karate champion, Jean-Claude Van Damme's fighting style also incorporates elements of taekwondo, muay Thai, kickboxing, and even ballet!

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'Bloodsport' - Jean-Claude Van Damme got his big break in 1988 with 'Bloodsport.'

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'Bloodsport' - JCVD plays Frank Dux, a US soldier who competes in a deadly underground martial arts tournament in Hong Kong, called Kumite.

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'Bloodsport' - His breakthrough movie is remembered by fans for a number of classic scenes, including some of his signature moves.

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'Bloodsport' - One of his most iconic moves is the crotch punch, where he does the splits and punches his opponent's testicles (ouch!).

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'Bloodsport' - JCVD explained later in an interview that the move is actually quite effective in real life, elaborating, "it always works. Especially against big people."

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'Bloodsport' - The move became so iconic that he did it again in 'Jean-Claude Van Johnson.'

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'Hard Target' - In 1993, Jean-Claude Van Damme starred in this action thriller, which became known for a unique scene.

11 / 28 Fotos

'Hard Target' - The scene where Jean-Claude Van Damme knocks out a snake with a single punch! Not only that, but he also removes the snake's rattle from its tail with his teeth!

12 / 28 Fotos

Epic split - Jean-Claude Van Damme has always been known for his amazing flexibility, which allows him to pull off the most amazing moves.

13 / 28 Fotos

Epic split - The basis of many of Jean-Claude Van Damme's moves is his capacity to do the splits, and do them well!

14 / 28 Fotos

Epic split - So Volvo thought Jean-Claude Van Damme would be perfect to advertise the precise steering on their trucks, and invited him to do the splits between two moving trucks.

15 / 28 Fotos

Epic split - The ad went viral and was a huge success. Volvo sales increased, and we all loved seeing Van Damme doing his Van Damme thing!

16 / 28 Fotos

Other movies - Armed with his signature kicks, the actor has taken action scenes in his films to the next level. Keep clicking to take a stroll down memory lane.

17 / 28 Fotos

'Double Impact' - What's better than one Jean-Claude Van Damme? Two of them! And that's exactly what you'll get in this movie.

18 / 28 Fotos

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'Death Warrant' - What better way to use JCVD's skills than putting him in a prison as an undercover detective? During a classic fighting scene he even throws the bad guy into a furnace!

20 / 28 Fotos

'Universal Soldier' - JCVD starred in this film franchise in 1992. Apart from the final fighting scene, there's also a classic one in a diner. Can't a man just eat in peace? Apparently not.

21 / 28 Fotos

'Double Team' - In this 1997 sci-fi film you get Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dennis Rodman working together. Of course, like all of Van Damme's films, it has a classic fighting scene.

22 / 28 Fotos

'Cyborg' - There's rain, blood, sweat, and epic moves. This is yet another movie with a great fight scene, this one in the rain to make it all the more dramatic.

23 / 28 Fotos

'The Quest' - Do you want to see Jean-Claude Van Damme knock out a huge Mongolian fighter with his signature helicopter kick? Watch this film!

24 / 28 Fotos

'The Expendables 2' - Always wanted to see Jean-Claude Van Damme fighting Sylvester Stallone? Here's your chance!

25 / 28 Fotos

'Jean-Claude Van Johnson' - Essentially a parody of Jean-Claude Van Damme's life, in this Amazon Studios production you get to see some of his signature moves.

26 / 28 Fotos

Living legend -

With incredible moves and a great sense of humor, The Muscles from Brussels is one of Hollywood's most-loved action heroes.

Get to know other athletes turned movie stars!

27 / 28 Fotos

Jean-Claude Van Damme's most iconic signature moves

"The Muscles from Brussels" turns 59

15/10/19 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Jean-claude van damme

In the late '80s, new kid on the block Jean-Claude Van Damme delighted martial arts movie fans all over the world. He was dramatic, fit, and had the most incredible over-the-top moves—exactly what his target audience wanted!

With a background in martial arts, Van Damme made his way from Belgium to the US. His impressive fighting skills and his eagerness to make it in Hollywood landed him a role in Arnold Schwarzenegger's classic 'Predator.' But with a 'Predator' suit that didn’t work for him, the actor ended up not taking up the role. But everything turned out just fine for the actor, as he started shooting 'Bloodsport,' his breakthrough movie, just a few weeks later.

But what really set the Belgian actor apart? His signature moves. From splits, to helicopter kicks and crotch punches, JCVD became known for hurting his opponents in style.

Since then, Jean-Claude Van Damme has become a martial arts—and overall action—movie star. His talent and physical abilities catapulted him to stardom, and the rest is history.

Click through and remember his classic moves, best fight scenes, and overall bada**ness!