Chuck Norris, the iconic star of ‘Walker, Texas Ranger,’ has passed away at the age of 86
Chuck Norris, the legendary martial arts champion and iconic action-film star of the 1980s, known for his roles in “Code of Silence,” “Missing in Action,” and “The Delta Force,” as well as his portrayal of a law enforcer in the TV series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” passed away on Thursday, according to a statement from his family shared on his Instagram account on Friday. “While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace,” the statement conveyed.
The six-time undefeated World Professional Middleweight Karate Champion, known for his tough-guy persona that sparked satirical “facts” and turned him into an Internet sensation, was hospitalized in Hawaii on Thursday, according to Variety.
Norris appeared in over twenty films, embodying silent loners, soldiers, lawmen, veterans, and quintessential American heroes who apprehended criminals, liberated prisoners of war, saved hostages, and fought against terrorists.
In his 1973 film debut, “The Way of the Dragon,” he showcased his roundhouse kicks while battling martial arts legend Bruce Lee in the Colosseum of Rome. In the 2012 blockbuster “The Expendables 2,” he joined forces with actors Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Bruce Willis to take down the villain Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Time magazine characterized him as “the ultimate tough guy.”
“In his purely action-packed B-movie realm, Norris, a former karate champion, has emerged as the undeniable superstar,” it stated in 1985.
Norris evaded bullets, delivered precise kicks to his opponent’s jaw, and effortlessly took down multiple villains in his thrilling films.
His tough persona garnered him success both at the box office and on television. Between 1993 and 2001, he portrayed Sergeant Cordell Walker, a principled law enforcement officer, ex-Marine, and martial arts specialist in “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
The bearded actor, writer, and producer rose to online fame in 2005 when an American student launched Chuck Norris Facts, a collection of humorous anecdotes celebrating the actor’s strength and masculinity. This phenomenon quickly went viral and led to the publication of several books.
Some of the most well-known included “Chuck Norris has a mug of nails instead of coffee in the morning” and “Chuck Norris doesn’t do push-ups; he pushes the Earth down.”
A SURPRISINGLY RESILIENT INDIVIDUAL
Carlos Ray Norris was born on March 10, 1940, in Ryan, Oklahoma, as the eldest of three brothers. After his parents divorced, the family relocated to California.
He was notably reserved and introspective, a trait he linked to his father’s struggle with alcoholism and the family’s financial hardships. “In school I was shy and inhibited,” Norris reflected in his 2004 memoir “Against All Odds: My Story.” “If the teacher requested that I recite something aloud in front of the class, I would simply shake my head in refusal.”
Norris was not inherently athletic either. He mentioned that he had to train exceptionally rigorously in order to achieve the status of a martial arts champion. Upon completing his education, he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1958. During his time in South Korea, he acquired skills in Tang Soo Do, a style of karate, along with various other martial arts.
The aspiring film star began instructing martial arts in California following his discharge. He achieved victory in significant competitions. Steve McQueen, an actor and one of Norris’ students, urged him to pursue acting.
“He advised me to consider projecting a presence and to avoid roles with extensive dialogue,” Norris shared with the New York Times in a 1985 interview. “He said, ‘Movies are visual, and when you attempt to verbalize something, you risk losing the audience.'”
Norris’ films earned millions and established him as a beloved figure within the U.S. military. He traveled to Iraq in 2006 and 2007 to express his support for American troops.
In 1990, he created his own martial arts discipline, Chun Kuk Do, and founded the nonprofit organization Kickstart Kids, aimed at teaching children martial arts and fostering self-esteem.
A devoted patriot, conservative, and committed Christian, he collaborated with the National Rifle Association (NRA) and contributed to WorldNetDaily, a right-leaning news and aggregator website.
Alongside his best-selling memoir, Norris released “The Secret of Inner Strength—My Story,” a guide focused on self-improvement. He also authored several books on fitness and martial arts, in addition to two novels: “The Justice Riders,” published in 2006, and its sequel, “A Threat to Justice.”
He had two marriages and fathered five children.
Norris stood by his films in response to critics who argued that they glorified violence. If crafted with care, he stated, action films can convey a narrative as powerfully as any drama or romance.
“This is the way to do it.” “I don’t support violence merely for the sake of violence,” he stated to the Los Angeles Times in 1994. “What individuals cling to is that the hero triumphs in the end.”
