Martial arts lit a fire in him, and the blend of elegance from ballet and the power of combat created a unique presence. He soon became a national karate champion in Belgium.
Music, especially Beethoven, remained close to his heart. It gave depth to his personality and eventually influenced his film roles, adding emotion behind the action.
With little more than determination, he moved to the United States. Roles in films like Bloodsport and Kickboxer followed, and the shy boy from Brussels became a global star.
His story is a reminder that strength doesn’t always look the way we expect. Sometimes, it starts in the most unexpected places—with quiet resilience, artistic spirit, and the courage to dream.