Chuck Norris, the world-renowned martial arts champion who parlayed his combat prowess into a legendary Hollywood career, has died at the age of 86, according to hollywoodreporter.com. The actor passed away suddenly on Thursday in Hawaii while surrounded by his family, according to an official statement. His relatives remembered him as a man of deep faith and discipline who viewed his global fanbase not merely as spectators, but as friends.
Before becoming a fixture of Saturday night television, Norris established himself as the “real deal” in the martial arts world. A master of karate, Tang Soo Do and taekwondo, he famously sparred with Bruce Lee both in private and on-screen in the 1972 classic The Way of the Dragon. It was fellow icon Steve McQueen who eventually convinced Norris to pursue acting, a career move that would lead to his definitive breakthrough in the 1983 Western-inflected hit Lone Wolf McQuade.
Norris became a cornerstone of 1980s action cinema, headlining high-octane hits such as Missing in Action, The Delta Force and Code of Silence. Despite often facing lukewarm reviews from critics, Norris remained a massive draw at the box office, prioritising the entertainment of his audience over the opinions of pundits. He frequently portrayed stoic, principled loners who resorted to violence only as a final measure, a screen persona heavily influenced by his own childhood heroes, John Wayne and Roy Rogers.
In 1993, he began his most enduring role as Cordell Walker in Walker, Texas Ranger. The series ran for nine seasons on CBS, blending modern law enforcement with the moral codes of the Old West. Beyond the screen, Norris’s legendary toughness inspired the viral “Chuck Norris Facts” internet phenomenon, which he embraced with good humour. He was also a prolific author and philanthropist, founding the World Combat League and dedicating much of his later life to his family and his faith. He is survived by his wife, Gena and his five children.
•Featured image: Chuck Norris in 1985’s “Code of Silence/Orio/Courtesy Everett Collection
