Jean-Claude Van Damme is 65 years old.
Born on October 18, 1960, the man we know as JCVD has officially crossed the mid-sixties threshold. It’s a bit surreal, isn't it? For those of us who grew up watching him do the splits across two kitchen counters or kick a tree until it snapped in Kickboxer, seeing him hit retirement age feels like a glitch in the Matrix. But here we are in 2026, and the "Muscles from Brussels" is still somehow more flexible than most teenagers.
How Old is Jean-Claude Van Damme and is He Still Fighting?
Let’s be real. When people search for how old is Jean-Claude Van Damme, they aren’t just looking for a number. They’re asking, "Can he still do the move?"
The answer is yes.
Van Damme turned 65 last October. While most people his age are eyeing senior discounts and thinking about downsizing their lawn, Jean-Claude has been busy filming What's My Name?, a project that’s basically a cinematic love letter to his own career. He’s playing himself. It’s a meta-action flick where he wakes up with amnesia and has to fight iconic villains from his past movies to regain his memory. Talk about a mid-life crisis done right.
Honestly, the guy’s longevity is kind of a miracle. If you look at his contemporaries—the 80s action gods—most have either pivoted entirely to character acting or stayed in the gym but lost that "snap." JCVD still has the snap. He’s been very vocal lately about how he’s managed to stay in such terrifyingly good shape. It isn't just about heavy lifting anymore.
The Secret to 65
He’s obsessed with flexibility.
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In recent interviews, including some chats while promoting his Irish whiskey brand, Old Oak (because why not?), he mentioned that as he gets older, he focuses on "the mind taking over the muscle." He’s moved away from the ego-lifting of his 20s. Now, it’s about 10-minute bursts of intense exercise and a lot of mobility work.
"When you train and you are getting older, it's good to stay very flexible, that's the most important thing." — JCVD
He isn't lying. If you follow him on social media, you’ll see him hitting those legendary splits at 65 like it’s a casual Sunday stroll.
A Career That Refuses to Quit
Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg—his real, much more Belgian name—started his journey in a karate school in Brussels at age 11. By the time he was 22, he moved to Los Angeles with $2,000 in his pocket and zero English.
He slept in his car. He delivered pizzas. He even worked as a bouncer at a club owned by Chuck Norris.
Then Bloodsport happened in 1988.
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Suddenly, everyone knew the guy who could kick someone in the face while looking like a ballet dancer. We saw him dominate the 90s with Universal Soldier, Timecop, and Hard Target. But then things got rocky. The late 90s and early 2000s weren't kind. He struggled with personal issues, a bipolar disorder diagnosis, and some direct-to-video projects that... well, let's just say they didn't all land like Lionheart.
The 2026 Update: Is This Really the End?
There’s been a lot of talk about retirement. Jean-Claude has mentioned that What's My Name? (sometimes referred to by the working title Katana) will be his final "real" martial arts movie.
He wants to buy a boat. A small one, specifically. He’s told reporters he’s spent 30 years living in hotels and just wants to sail around the world and relax with his family.
But we've heard this before from action stars.
Look at Stallone. Look at Schwarzenegger. These guys don't just "stop." Even at 65, Van Damme has several projects in the pipeline for 2026, including concept work for sequels like The Legionary: Last Mission. Whether these actually hit the big screen or stay in the "fan-demand" phase remains to be seen, but the energy is definitely there.
What Most People Get Wrong About JCVD
People think he’s just a "kicking machine."
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If you haven't seen his 2008 film JCVD, go watch it. Now. It’s a semi-autobiographical heist movie where he plays a washed-up version of himself. There’s a six-minute unbroken monologue where he cries and talks about his life, his mistakes, and the absurdity of fame. It is genuinely heartbreaking and proves the guy actually has serious acting chops that Hollywood rarely let him use.
- Age: 65
- Birthplace: Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Brussels, Belgium
- Total Kickboxing Wins: 18 (all by KO)
- Current Venture: Old Oak Whiskey (and staying ripped)
He’s lived a dozen lives in those 65 years. He’s been a champion martial artist, a world-famous movie star, a punchline, a comeback kid, and now, a grandfather-aged icon who still looks like he could take out a room of bad guys without breaking a sweat.
The Actionable Takeaway for Your Own Longevity
You don't have to be a Belgian superstar to learn from him. If you're looking at JCVD and wondering how he’s still doing it at 65, follow his current "aging" philosophy.
First, stop ignoring flexibility. The reason his joints haven't turned to dust is his dedication to stretching. Second, listen to your body. He’s pivoted from "destroying" his muscles to "communicating" with them.
If you want to keep up with the legend, start a 10-minute mobility routine every morning. You might not end up doing the splits between two Volvo trucks, but you’ll definitely feel better than you did yesterday.
The man is a living testament to the fact that 65 isn't the end—it's just a different kind of prime.
To stay updated on his final film tour, keep an eye on official casting calls for What's My Name? and check his official "JCVD World" site for any 2026 appearance dates. He’s known for doing surprise fan meet-ups, especially in Europe and the UK during his whiskey promo tours.
Next Steps:
- Check the 2026 Release Calendar: Look for What's My Name? (or Katana) in local listings—it's slated to be his final martial arts performance.
- Watch 'JCVD' (2008): If you only know him for the kicks, this movie will completely change how you see him as an actor.
- Incorporate 10 Minutes of Mobility: Follow his lead—prioritize flexibility over heavy weights to keep your joints healthy as you age.