A pair of legs engineered to defy the laws of physics and a mindset to master the most epic of splits.

I'm not a movie star. I'm a brand name. Van Damme is like Levi's. I go on vacation, and everywhere I go, people love me for my name, not for my movies.

••If you work with a jackhammer during an earthquake, stop, otherwise you are working for nothing.

Karate's a very boring sport, but when you know the technique you can go further and further.

Everybody understands a slap in the face. In Japan, Belgium, or America, a punch is a punch. Comedy will be different in Europe or America or Japan, so my movies are very international.

Because no matter what you say in life, the truth will always be the truth. You know when someone is telling the truth, you look in the eyes. I have a tendency to believe people.

I am the Fred Astaire of karate.