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Jean-Claude Van Damme is renowned for his martial arts skills and has been considered one of the greatest action stars of all time. Van Damme began studying martial arts at the age of ten, and by the age of eighteen, he had earned a black belt in karate. He later continued training in other martial arts forms such as kickboxing, Muay Thai, and Taekwondo.
Van Damme’s martial arts skills are showcased in his films, where he performs a range of high kicks, splits, and acrobatic maneuvers. His renowned commitment to martial arts and stunts in his films has resulted in a few unfortunate incidents. One such incident occurred when stuntman Jackson “Rock” Pinckney sued Van Damme.
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When A Stuntman Sued Jean-Claude Van Damme
Stuntman Jackson “Rock” Pinckney sued the actor for allegedly stabbing him in the eye with a prop knife during a fight scene, which caused permanent damage and resulted in blindness in the injured eye, as reported by the Associated Press News. Pinckney was even discharged from his position in the US Army due to the injury.
Pinckney filed a lawsuit againstJean-Claude Van Dammeseeking compensation of more than $10,000. However, Van Damme had to pay much more than that, as the court ruled in favor of Pinckney and awarded him $487,000 in damages. This was mainly due to the testimonies of other stuntmen present during the filming, which contributed to the decision against Van Damme.
The testimonies of other stuntmen revealed that Jean-Claude Van Damme disregarded cautionary advice and performed fight scenes with full intensity, prioritizing authenticity over safety. His team attempted to challenge the verdict and argued for the case to be dismissed due to a juror consulting with a karate instructor, but their efforts were in vain as the court upheld the ruling in favor of Pinckney.
Also Read:Earthquake Saved 90s Legend Jean-Claude Van Damme From Losing His Entire $40M Fortune after Lawsuit Almost Pushed Him into Bankruptcy
Did The Lawsuit Affect The Action Star’s Career
Jean-Claude Van Damme’s career was in its early stages when he appeared inCyborg, as his first leading role inBloodsporthad only been released a year earlier. Despite the legal trouble the film caused, Van Damme’s career continued to thrive, with him starring in numerous successful action movies such asUniversal Soldier, Last Action Hero, Timecop,andDouble Impact, among others.
Although Jean-Claude Van Damme’s popularity as an action hero may have waned a bit, he remains active in Hollywood. He showed his versatility by lending his voice to a character in the 2022 animated movieMinions: The Rise of Gru, which is a departure from his earlier, more physical roles. The actor also has several upcoming projects in the pipeline, ensuring that his fans can still look forward to seeing him on the big screen.
Van Damme’s upcoming film,Darkness of Man, will see him portray the role of an Interpol operative Russell Hatch, who has to protect the son of a dead informant from a group of dangerous gangs. The film was written and directed by James Cullen Bressack.
Cyborgis available for renting or purchasing on Google Play.
Also Read:“You’ll never be a star”: Bloodsport Producer Had So Little Faith in Jean-Claude Van Damme He Gave Him Just $25K Salary after Actor Begged Him for a Role
Source:GiantFreakinRobot
Vishal Kawadkar
Articles Published :975
Vishal Kawadkar is a seasoned writer specializing in writing engaging and informative content on various topics. He is a cinephile with a keen interest in sci-fi and thriller movies and TV shows. With an eye for detail, Vishal likes offering readers a fresh perspective on the latest trends and developments.
