American actor Chuck Norris, born in 1940, who played Texas Ranger Cordell ‘Cord’ Walker in the 1998 episode “On the Border” of the television show “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
Chuck Norris, the martial arts champion who became an iconic action star and led the hit series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” has died at 86.
Norris was hospitalized in Hawaii on Thursday. His family said in a statement Friday that he died later that morning.
“While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace,” the statement said.
“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.”
As an action star, Norris brought a level of credibility few could match. He appeared opposite Bruce Lee in the 1972 film “The Way of the Dragon” (also known as “Return of the Dragon”) and was a decorated martial artist, holding a black belt in judo, a third-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a fifth-degree black belt in karate, an eighth-degree black belt in taekwondo, a ninth-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do and a 10th-degree black belt in Chun Kuk Do.
He was highly prolific in the late 1970s and 1980s, starring in “The Delta Force” and “Missing in Action” films, as well as “Good Guys Wear Black” (1978), “The Octagon” (1980), “Lone Wolf McQuade” (1983), “Code of Silence” (1985) and “Firewalker” (1986).
After a seven-year absence from the screen, Norris returned in 2012 as part of an ensemble cast in Sylvester Stallone’s “The Expendables 2.”
While his work carried a strong sense of authenticity, Norris did not lean into humor the way contemporaries such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis and Jackie Chan did. Still, he became the go-to action star for audiences drawn to an all-American archetype.
In 1984, Norris starred in “Missing in Action,” the first in a series centered on the rescue of American POWs believed to still be held after the Vietnam War. Norris’ younger brother Wieland was killed in Vietnam, and the actor dedicated the films to his memory. Critics, however, argued that the series drew heavily from the premise of Stallone’s successful “Rambo” films.
As his film career slowed, Norris pivoted to television, taking on the lead role in the CBS series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” inspired by his film “Lone Wolf McQuade.” The show ran from 1993 to 2001. He reprised the role of Cordell Walker in the TV movies “Walker Texas Ranger 3: Deadly Reunion” (1994) and “Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire” (2005). That same year, he starred in his final film, the straight-to-DVD release “The Cutter.”
Later in life, Norris became the subject of widely shared internet memes highlighting exaggerated feats, including “Chuck Norris kills 100% of germs” and “Paper beats rock, rock beats scissors, and scissors beats paper, but Chuck Norris beats all 3 at the same time.” He also appeared in infomercials for fitness equipment and grew more vocal in his support for conservative political causes.
Carlos Ray Norris was born in Ryan, Oklahoma. His father served in World War II. In 1958, he joined the Air Force as an air policeman. While stationed at Osan Air Base in South Korea, he acquired the nickname “Chuck” and began training in Tang Soo Do, later expanding into other martial arts and developing his own hybrid style, Chun Kuk Do, or “The Universal Way.” He later returned to the United States and served at March Air Force Base in California.
After his discharge in 1962, Norris worked for aerospace company Northrop and opened a chain of karate schools. His students included Steve McQueen, Chad McQueen, Bob Barker, Priscilla Presley, Donny Osmond and Marie Osmond.
He made his acting debut in an uncredited role in the 1969 film “The Wrecking Crew,” starring Dean Martin. Norris met Bruce Lee at a martial arts demonstration in Long Beach, California, and later played the villain opposite Lee in “The Way of the Dragon.” In 1974, McQueen encouraged him to pursue acting seriously, prompting Norris to take classes at MGM.
Norris first starred in the 1977 film “Breaker! Breaker!,” playing a truck driver searching for his missing brother in a town controlled by a corrupt judge.
He soon established himself as a reliable box office draw with films including “Good Guys Wear Black,” “The Octagon,” “An Eye for an Eye” (1981) and “Lone Wolf McQuade.”
Beginning in 1984, Norris became a leading figure at Cannon Films, appearing in eight movies over four years. These included the “Missing in Action” trilogy, “Code of Silence,” widely considered among his strongest films, the “Delta Force” films and “Firewalker.” His brother Aaron Norris produced several of these projects and later worked as a producer on “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
A longtime supporter of conservative political causes, Norris also authored several books centered on Christian and patriotic themes.
He was married twice, first to Dianne Holechek from 1958 until their divorce in 1988.
He is survived by his second wife, Gena O’Kelley, whom he married in 1998; his sons Eric and Mike; daughters Dakota, Danilee and Dina; and several grandchildren.