You remember that viral video of Jean-Claude Van Damme doing the "Epic Split" between two moving Volvo trucks? That was over a decade ago. People thought that was his grand finale, a sort of poetic bow for a guy who built a career on flexibility and sheer willpower. But if you’ve been looking for Jean-Claude Van Damme now, you’ve probably realized he didn't actually walk away.
In 2026, the man is 65. Most guys his age are worried about their 401k or their golf swing. JCVD? He's still doing the splits. Honestly, it's kinda wild. He’s currently navigating a weird, fascinating transition from "straight-to-video action star" to something more like a "self-aware cinematic legend."
He’s busy. Like, actually busy.
The "Final" Movie That Never Quite Ends
For the last few years, there’s been this constant rumor that Van Damme is making his "final" martial arts film. First, it was a project called What's My Name?, directed by Jeremy Zag. The pitch sounded like a fever dream: Jean-Claude plays himself, gets into a car accident, loses his memory, and has to fight all his old movie enemies—think Bloodsport and Kickboxer villains—to get his identity back.
But things shifted. By mid-2025 and into early 2026, the buzz moved toward a project titled Katana. It's basically the same DNA—a high-level martial arts epic intended to be his "swan song." He told Deadline he wanted to leave the stage by revisiting his career at a higher level than ever before.
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But here's the thing about JCVD: he’s like the weather. He changes his mind. He says he's retiring, then he signs on for three more movies.
Take Darkness of Man, for example. It’s a gritty, "neo-noir" action flick where he plays an Interpol agent named Russell Hatch. It’s not the flashy, high-kick stuff of the 90s. It’s brutal. It’s dark. It shows a version of Jean-Claude Van Damme now that is actually willing to look old and tired on screen. And fans are kind of loving that vulnerability.
Where Does He Actually Live and What’s His Life Like?
You might think he’s hiding away in a villa in Belgium, but his life is much more global than that. He splits a lot of his time between Hong Kong, Los Angeles, and Belgium. He’s always been a nomad.
Financially, the guy is doing way better than the "washed-up" narrative would have you believe. Estimates put his net worth around $40 million in 2026. While he isn't pulling $20 million per movie like he did for Timecop back in the day, he’s incredibly "profitable."
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There’s this funny stat from a few years back—analysts looked at box office data and found that for every dollar spent on a Van Damme movie, he returned about $4.20. That’s a better ROI than some of the biggest stars in Marvel movies. Because his films are cheaper to make, he stays in the black.
- Family: He’s still close with his kids, Kris, Bianca, and Nicholas. If you follow them on social media, you’ll see they’ve basically inherited the "family business" of being insanely fit.
- Fitness: He still trains every single day. He’s a big proponent of what he calls "personalized training." He’s even hinted at launching more digital fitness content because, let’s be real, people still want to know how a 65-year-old keeps that physique.
- Hobbies: He loves plants. Seriously. In recent interviews and trailers for projects like The Gardener, he’s waxed poetic about how plants don't complain. They just grow. It’s very "Zen JCVD."
Why We Are Still Obsessed With Him
There is a specific kind of nostalgia that keeps Jean-Claude Van Damme now relevant. We live in an era of CGI fights and "stunt doubles for everything." When you watch a JCVD clip, even the new stuff, you know it’s him. You know those legs actually go that way.
There was a lot of talk recently about a new Street Fighter movie coming in late 2026. While JCVD isn't starring in it (he did the 1994 cult classic, for better or worse), his shadow looms large over the whole genre. There's even been "concept" buzz about a Cyborg reimagining. People just can't let go of that 80s/90s aesthetic.
He also made peace with Steven Seagal. That was a big "celeb news" moment recently. They were spotted together at Seagal’s 73rd birthday. For decades, there was this legendary beef between them—stories of JCVD challenging Seagal to a fight at a party at Sylvester Stallone’s house. Seeing them bury the hatchet felt like the end of an era.
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What’s Next for the Legend?
If you're looking for the most "current" version of the man, watch for The Gardener and Katana. These aren't just "paycheck" movies; they are his attempt to craft a legacy that goes beyond just being "The Muscles from Brussels."
He’s also leaned into his own meme-ability. He knows we love the splits. He knows we love the dancing from Kickboxer. He’s not fighting the "meta" version of himself anymore; he’s embracing it.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check out his indie work: Don't just wait for a theatrical release. Films like The Last Mercenary on Netflix or Darkness of Man show a much better acting range than his 90s hits.
- Follow the kids: If you want to see the "Van Damme legacy" in action, his daughter Bianca is a legit martial artist and actress in her own right.
- The "Retirement" Grain of Salt: Don't get emotional when he says he's retiring. He’s been saying it since 2022. As long as he can kick, he’s probably going to stay on a film set.
The reality of Jean-Claude Van Damme now is that he’s an elder statesman of action who refuses to get old. He’s survived addiction, career collapses, and five marriages to emerge as a weirdly beloved, eccentric uncle of the cinema world. He’s still here. He’s still flexible. And he’s still JCVD.
To keep up with his latest filming locations or his rare public appearances, your best bet is following his official Instagram or checking the latest production schedules on trade sites like Variety or The Hollywood Reporter, as he often announces projects there months before they hit mainstream news.