Article: Van Damme gets his kicks from acting now, not karate

If things had worked out differently for Belgian actor Jean-Claude Van Damme, he would be in Chicago running a karate school today. But he couldn't get enough money to finance the operation, so Van Damme headed for Hollywood to pursue his childhood dream of becoming an actor.

"I sincerely believe everything happens for a reason," said Van Damme, 28. "At the time when the karate school thing fell apart, I was very disappointed. But it worked out for the best, because otherwise I probably wouldn't have gotten into acting."

Van Damme's career has been on the upswing since starring in the surprise hit "Bloodsport." His second starring role is in "Cyborg,"

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