Jean-Claude Van Damme is a Hollywood icon, but it could have all been so different and he revealed he slept outside the house of Chuck Norris before making it in Hollywood
Chuck Norris and Jean-Claude Van Damme (Image: INSTAGRAM/jcvd)
Jean-Claude Van Damme has paid tribute to acting icon Chuck Norris following his death at 86. He posted a touching Instagram message to remember his friend who he said he ‘knew from my early days’.
Speaking to the Mirror, the Muscles from Brussels, revealed how he met Chuck in his late teens as he tried to crack the acting industry. At the time, JCVD spoke very little English and he told us explained how he was becoming disillusioned with his efforts.
But it was after an invite to Enter the Dragon star Bob Wall’s house that his situation began to change. It was then that Bob urged his pal Chuck Norris to meet and train with Jean-Claude as he had “never saw legs like this” before.
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After this introduction, Jean-Claude told us in the 2023 chat how the pair began taking early morning training sessions together. “I would travel for two hours to train with him,” he said. And he admitted he would even sleep in his car outside Chuck’s house instead of risking being late.
This training saw him sometimes take on what Jean-Claude described as “wackos” in sparring. Other times he was paired with world champions such as Joe Jackson.
His connection with Chuck led to his break in the movie industry after Chuck featured him in Missing in Action, shot in the Philippines. The film, released in 1984, was followed years later by the production he’s perhaps best known for, Bloodsport.
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Fast forward over 40 years and the pair’s bond was still evident. In a touching Instagram message, Jean-Claude shared a number of snaps of the pair from over the years.
He wrote: “Deepest condolences on the passing of my friend, Chuck Norris. We knew each other from my early days, and I always respected the man he was.
“My heart and prayers are with his family. He will never be forgotten.” He also shared a praying hands and broken heart emoji.
According to reports, Chuck suffered a medical emergency on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. A statement on his Instagram page read: “It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris.
“While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace. To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength. To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather… He inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives.”
Jean-Claude Van Damme spoke to the Mirror following the launch of Old Oak whiskey.
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