Van Damme’s Unconnected Legacy: Meet His Three Actor Children

One of the most recognizable faces from 1980s films, the Belgian martial artist Jean-Claude Van Damme has seen his glory days fade, struggling to maintain his status as a Hollywood action movie legend.

Van Damme’s personal life is far from perfect. He has multiple children, but they do not share a relationship with him. His career’s demands took him around the globe, leaving little room for family life. He shares two children with fitness guru Gladys Portugues and another with Darcy LaPier, leading to several legal disputes.

“I doubt my children’s love for me”

Despite formerly believing in a cohesive family unit, Van Damme disclosed in a recent Paris Match interview that he currently has no relationship with any of his children. He expressed a sense of loss regarding his children, Kristopher Van Varenberg, Bianca Bree, and Nicholas, whom he feels disconnected from due to his long absences.

“I have a fulfilling life, but I regret some choices. I lost touch with my children. I lived in hotels for decades, and they hardly know me. At this point, I feel my kids don’t love me… They might admire my success but will never comprehend what I’ve sacrificed for it.” added Van Damme.

Overview of Van Damme’s Children

The firstborn, 37-year-old Kristopher Van Varenberg, launched his acting career in 1992 with a role in his father’s film ‘Universal Soldier’. He has predominantly performed in his father’s projects and is expected to broaden his horizons by starring in the upcoming miniseries ‘Franklin’ and the film ‘Crime Time’. He is also a martial arts enthusiast.

Next is Bianca Bree, aged 34, also acting and has been in seven films. Like her brother, her acting career is intertwined with her father’s work—but she ventured into independent projects earlier. Since 2016, she has continued to work steadily, appearing in films such as ‘Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece’ and ‘The Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson’. Bianca, too, shares her father’s passion for martial arts and fitness.

In contrast, the youngest sibling, Nicholas, 29, is considered the ‘black sheep’ of the Van Damme family due to his incidents involving violence that led to legal prosecution and probation sentences. Unlike his siblings, he has exhibited artistic talent in painting and music, and while he has received support from his famous family member for various projects, it seems that his future is unlikely to be in cinema.