Chuck Norris, the martial arts champion who became an iconic action star and led the hit series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” has died at the age of 86. Norris was hospitalised in Hawaii on Thursday, and his family posted a statement on Friday confirming his death. “While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace,” the family wrote.
“To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength. To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family,” the statement continued. “He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved. Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives.”
Norris was a genuine martial arts champion, holding black belts in multiple disciplines including judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, karate, taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, and his own hybrid style Chun Kuk Do. He appeared opposite Bruce Lee in the 1972 film “The Way of the Dragon” and starred in numerous action films throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, such as “The Delta Force,” “Missing in Action,” “Good Guys Wear Black,” and “Lone Wolf McQuade.”
In the 1990s, Norris transitioned to television, starring in the CBS series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” which ran from 1993 to 2001. He later reprised the role in TV movies and made a cameo in “The Expendables 2” in 2012. In his later years, Norris became the subject of internet memes depicting absurd feats of strength and was outspoken as a political conservative.
Born Carlos Ray Norris in Ryan, Oklahoma, he served in the US Air Force as an Air Policeman in South Korea, where he began his martial arts training. After his discharge, he opened a chain of karate schools with celebrity clients including Steve McQueen and Bob Barker. Norris made his acting debut in 1969 and went on to become one of the most recognisable action stars of his era.
