Action star cancels promotional appearances to tend to recently adopted dog who fell ill.
Posted: November 4, 2008, 5 a.m. EST

Jean-Claude Van Damme, the Belgian martial artist turned actor who gained fame in action flicks like “Bloodsport,” has cancelled several media appearances to promote his new film “JCVD” after his recently adopted dog slipped into a coma in Bangkok, Thailand.

Van Damme, known as the “Muscles from Brussels,” had adopted seven dogs during a recent stay in Thailand. When one of the dogs fell ill due to an undisclosed condition, the actor decided to stay in the country “to see this dog through this very trying time,” an unnamed source close to the actor told the New York Post.

Van Damme is a well-known animal advocate who once lobbied South Korean leaders for better treatment of dogs intended for human consumption.

“JCVD,” which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in June, is a fictional movie based on Van Damme’s life about a washed up action star who suffers a bruising divorce and encounters financial problems.

“JCVD” opens in theaters Nov. 7.