„Lots of It is Bullsh*t”. Jean-Claude Van Damme Criticizes Hollywood Stars Who Claim to do Their Own Stunts

As a longtime fan of action movies, I wholeheartedly agree with Jean-Claude Van Damme‘s sentiments towards stuntmen. Having grown up watching his films and being fascinated by the raw power and skill these unsung heroes possess, it’s refreshing to see him acknowledge their contributions to the industry.


Jean-Claude Van Damme is an icon. Although the peak of his career is behind him, he still eagerly talks about the entertainment industry and shares insights about the movie world in interviews. In a 2023 conversation with Telegraph, the action movie star decided to talk about stuntmen.

Frequently, it’s mentioned that certain Hollywood stars execute challenging and risky actions in movies without the aid of stunt performers. One actor who is particularly renowned for performing his own stunts is undeniably Tom Cruise.

It’s widely believed that the Mission: Impossible actor genuinely performs his own stunts, thanks to all the evidence behind the scenes. However, as Jean-Claude Van Damme points out, we might want to be more cautious about other performers. This is because their claims of doing their own stunts could sometimes just be a clever marketing trick.

When you hear on TV ‘they did their own stunts’, lots of it is bullsh*t.

It’s true that Jean-Claude Van Damme openly acknowledged that he didn’t perform all the stunts in his films. He doesn’t shy away from CGI, but he truly cherishes real-life action. As a result, he holds stuntmen in high regard and always speaks favorably about their work. Despite the fact that they’ve frequently taken on challenging tasks to make him appear powerful, he has never let them showcase his unique talents.

I’ve spent years honing my skills, perfecting my craft, and pushing myself to the limit. The moment of truth comes when I perform a kick – it’s where I truly shine, and it’s a testament to all that hard work. But let me make one thing clear: I don’t need stuntmen to boost my image; my strength is genuine and self-made. However, I appreciate their skills and admire the contributions they make to the industry. To capture the essence of my performance, I humbly request that you film it in slow motion, so everyone can see the finesse and precision that sets me apart from the rest. After all, life is about showcasing our unique talents and pushing boundaries.

Certainly, it’s not unexpected that Jean-Claude Van Damme advocates for the establishment of an Oscar category specifically for stuntmen.

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2024-08-20 16:01