Let's make this birthday one to remember.

56 years old (Born on December 18, 1968)

American actor; He is famous from Johnny Rico in Starship Troopers.

Grew up living on the same block as actor Robert Sean Leonard. They raced each other in go-carts down Bobby`s (Robert`s) street. Given title "Sexiest Soap Star" from People Magazine. [November 2000] His son Cappy Van Dien is named Casper. Every first born son of the family is named Casper. His son is the 7th. Daughter, Celeste Van Dien, with wife Catherine Oxenberg, born 3 October 2003 His mother is an Interfaith Minister, nurse, teacher, sailing instructor, and has been married to Casper`s father for over 40 years. She married both of Casper`s sisters to their husbands.

Daughter, Maya Van Dien, born in L.A. [20 September 2001]

Was an extra in a couple of episodes of "Saved by the Bell" (1989).

Steven Spielberg, Brad Pitt, Christina Aguilera and Casper Van Dien all born on same day, December 18th.

He has encountered a number of coincidences with his name during his life: when he was young, his family lived on Van Dien Avenue; he played James Dean (the name Dean is a derivative of Van Dien), Starship Troopers (1997), which he starred in, was filmed in Casper, Wyoming; and the character he played in Sleepy Hollow (1999) was named Van Brunt and, apparently, the Van Brunts are distant relatives of the Van Diens.

He was a published poet at 17 years old.

Step-daughter, India Oxenberg, born June 7th 1991.

He played the trumpet for 7 years. (played the bugle for taps and reveille during boot camp for Starship Troopers)

Graduated from "Admiral Farragut Academy" as Operations Officer (3rd in command) in 1988.

He is the 20th Tarzan.

Son, Cappy Van Dien (Casper Robert Mitchum Van Dien) (named for his great grandfather, legendary actor Robert Mitchum.) [23 September 1993]

Filmed some scenes as Patrick Bateman in The Rules of Attraction (2002) that were cut from the final film.

He has 3 sisters. Sudi Van Dien is 2 years older and Kristin is 2 years younger. Debbie is his half sister who is 14 years older.

Casper grew up in Ridgewood, New Jersey, coincidentally on Van Dien Ave. The street itself is named for a relative.

Dislocated his finger during a fight scene in Sleepy Hollow (1999).

Chipped two teeth in Starship Troopers (1997) when he was on the back of a "tanker" bug.

One Grandfather, Casper Anson Van Dien, served in the Marine Corps in WWI. The other Grandfather, William Morrow, served in the Navy in WWII. His father (Casper R Van Dien Sr.) served in the Navy as a Pilot.

Daughter, Grace Van Dien, born Oct 15th 1996

Kenny Johnson, Jim Morse , Pablo Espinosa and Garrett Warren are his best friends.

Mark Twain is his great great great uncle.