AN Irish martial arts actor whose pals include Hollywood legends Jean Claude Van Damme and Sylvester Stallone has urged people: “Never give up on your dream.”

Social media pics of James P Bennett lunching with A-listers prove “persistence, self-belief and hard work always pays off”, the Co Meath man believes.

James was snapped having lunch with Stallone and co

The 42-year-old is finally making a name for himself as Los Angeles’ latest martial arts talent, having scored roles alongside film greats like Van Damme and Jackie Chan.

His film credits include this year’s Attrition and Kickboxer: Retaliation. Another new flick, Black Water, starring Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren, has just been released in American cinemas

James, who wrote, directed, starred in and produced Ireland’s only martial arts movie, Fatal Deviation, admits it has been hard to achieve his current status.

But he never gave up — persisting in knocking on doors until one opened eventually.

The Meath man has landed a number of roles in huge hits

He explained: “I grew up in Trim. I was a small-town kid with a big-city dream of making films in Hollywood. Whatever it is in life that you wanna do, you got to move to wherever it is to make it happen, and that for me was LA.”

However, James, who has lived on Stateside for 15 years, admits that Hollywood was a tough world to break into.

He added: “There were five or six years over there where the roles were mostly small. I was teaching martial arts and working in ­construction as well but I never quit on my dream.

“Eventually one guy realised my talent and in the last two years, I’ve done six projects — four of which are out this year.”

Bennett alongside Van Damme and Lundgren

They include General Commander — with Steven Seagal — and he’s also set to appear in the new Fast and Furious action film in the coming months.

One of his earliest roles was in the Clint Eastwood-directed Jersey Boys film four years ago.

He said: “Working with Clint was an amazing experience. Every scene was three takes maximum.

“I remember shooting a scene that I’m in and I was rolling my shoulders when I got a tap on the back. When I turned around, there was Clint who asked: ‘You got a kink in that back, boy?’

James Bennett with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jean Claude Van Damme

Hollywood made dreams come true for James in more than one way – he ended up becoming good friends with his childhood role model.

“I started karate when I was five years old and first saw Jean Claude Van Damme in a film in 1986. I noticed he used to use different kick methods so I copied him and he became a role model for me.”

To date he has had roles in four films with Van Damme.

“It’s hard to believe that years later, I now call him a good friend. We hang out and train together all the time. He’s a great guy and I’ve learned a lot from him.”

As he looks towards future projects, which include a new movie by John Arlotto – Double Edge – due out next year, he knows to appreciate every role.

“I believe that when you work and earn something, you will appreciate it and work harder to keep it