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Martial arts master, cultural icon, and Hollywood star Chuck Norris passed away surrounded by family and friends on March 19 at the age of 86.
News of his passing was confirmed in a statement on social media, in which the Norris family spoke fondly of him.
“To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength,” his family said. “To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family.”
“He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved,” they said. “Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives.”
Norris’s impact on the world wasn’t limited to Hollywood; he built a life that has been seen by many as a cultural phenomenon.
Vicki Roberts, Gary Busey, Chuck Norris, and wife, Gena, at “To Protect and To Serve,” benefiting the Los Angeles Police Protective League's Eagle and Badge Foundation and the Tichi Wilkerson Kassel Parkinson's Foundation at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, on Nov. 8, 2002. Kevin Winter/ImageDirect
On Solving Problems
Before he began acting, Norris was already a world champion martial artist, training celebrities and winning multiple karate titles.
He was known for his tenacity and ability to overcome problems. He addressed that ability in an interview, saying, “When you try to find ways of solving a problem, you won’t have time to worry.”
He began starring in films in the 1970s and ’80s with projects such as “The Way of the Dragon,” with Bruce Lee.
Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee in a publicity still for movie “The Way of the Dragon” (1972). Golden Harvest Company, Concord Productions
On Inner Strength
In his book “The Secret of Inner Strength,” Norris famously said: “There is no finish line. When you reach one goal, find a new one.”
In 1993, he began his most iconic role as “Walker, Texas Ranger.” He starred as Ranger Cordell Walker until 2001, in a role that personified justice and traditional values. During that time, he became associated with moral clarity and strength.
Actor and martial artist Chuck Norris (R) holds up a T-shirt presented by USAF TSgt. Mike Haddock of Florence, Alabama, during a meet-the-troops stop at Ali Al Saleem Air Base, Kuwait, on Oct. 29, 2006. Norris, best known for his role in “Walker, Texas Ranger,” is on a week-long USO tour to boost morale among U.S. troops in the region. USO/Mike Theiler/HO/Reuters
On the Strength of Men
Norris is widely credited as saying: “Men are like steel. When they lose their temper, they lose their worth.”
In the 2000s, he became the subject of “Chuck Norris facts,” short, exaggerated jokes that portrayed him as an almost mythical figure capable of the impossible. The jokes and later memes reflected the public’s boundless admiration for Norris and his larger-than-life persona.
Chuck Norris in a publicity still for “Missing in Action” in 1984. The Cannon Group, Inc., Golan-Globus Productions
On His Politics
Norris the movie star, however, wasn’t loved by everyone, and he at one time wrote a column about his political beliefs, which were not always met with broad acceptance.
“[I haven’t] always been warmly welcomed for holding my conservative positions,” he said.
“I’ve never been very good at being politically correct.”
In his book “Black Belt Patriotism: How to Reawaken America,” Norris laid out his worldview directly, saying he believed that the Constitution should be interpreted according to its original meaning and that he had concerns about cultural and moral decline in the United States.
Actor Chuck Norris (L) speaks with a senior citizen while Republican Presidential hopeful former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (C) looks on at the New Hampshire Veterans Home in Tilton, N.H., on Dec. 14, 2007. Huckabee, riding impressive poll numbers, is on a three-day swing through the Granite State with Norris. Darren McCollester/Getty Images
On Setting Goals
In his book “Against All Odds: My Story,” Norris wrote about how he sets goals: “I remembered the story of the bumblebee.
“Aerodynamically, it is impossible for the bumblebee to fly. The body is too big for the small size of the wings, but apparently no one told the bumblebee that, so he flies! That’s pretty much the story of setting goals. Nothing is impossible unless you believe it is.”
President George Bush (3rd R) jogs on March 21, 1990, with actor Chuck Norris (R) and his son Michael Norris (2nd R) at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington. Luke Frazza/AFP via Getty Images
On Faith
Throughout his life, Norris was clear about the important role his faith played in his life.
“I gave my life to the Lord at 12,” Norris said in an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network. “People say I’m the luckiest guy ... but luck had nothing to do with it; God had everything to do with it.”
“I wanted my life to be about things that mattered, not merely for a moment but for eternity,” he said.
Chuck Norris in a promo image for “Walker, Texas Ranger” in 1993. Mercury Studios
What Others Had to Say
The post about Norris’s death garnered almost 30,000 comments within hours. Many comments had the same theme: Fans said that Norris’s death was his promotion to something bigger and better.
“The world didn’t lose Chuck Norris, it just gained a guardian at a higher level,” one commenter said.
Another wrote, “Chuck Norris didn’t pass away—he just walked into heaven and told Saint Peter, ‘I’ll take it from here.’”
Still another said: “Chuck Norris didn’t die. He passed from this life to the next. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”
In their announcement of his passing, Norris’s family had one last message from the actor and icon who warmed the homes and hearts of so many: “To him, you were not just fans, you were his friends.”
Actor Chuck Norris works the crowd to campaign for Republican Presidential candidate Texas Gov. George W. Bush during a rally of approximately 7,000 people inside the City of Fresno Convention Center in Fresno, Calif., on Oct. 30, 2000. Paul J. Richards/AFP via Getty Images
A promo image for “Walker, Texas Ranger” in 1993. Mercury Studios
(L-R) Robert Wall, Bruce Lee, and Chuck Norris behind the scenes in “The Way of the Dragon” in 1972. Golden Harvest Company, Concord Productions
French TV host Daniele Gilbert and U.S. actor Chuck Norris are pictured during the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1976. Raph Gatti/AFP via Getty Images
Chuck Norris and Sylvester Stallone behind the scenes of “The Expendables 2” in 2012. Millennium Films
Actor Chuck Norris poses with Si and Willie Robertson, of “Duck Dynasty,” at the drivers' meeting prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, on Nov. 6, 2016. Robert Laberge/Getty Images
Actor Chuck Norris and his family arrive at Lionsgate Films' “The Expendables 2” premiere in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Aug. 15, 2012. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Singer-songwriter Michael Bolton (C) poses with actors Chuck Norris (L) and Rob Schneider at a ceremony honoring Bolton with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Aug. 27, 2002. Vince Bucci/Getty Images
Actor Chuck Norris during the Gut Aiderbichl Christmas Market opening in Henndorf am Wallersee, Austria, on Nov. 12, 2019. Hannes Magerstaedt/Getty Images
What Chuck Norris Taught Us: Quotes on Strength, Discipline, and Life
Norris’s family said he ‘lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved.’
Martial arts master, cultural icon, and Hollywood star Chuck Norris passed away surrounded by family and friends on March 19 at the age of 86.
News of his passing was confirmed in a statement on social media, in which the Norris family spoke fondly of him.
“To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength,” his family said. “To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family.”
“He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved,” they said. “Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives.”
Norris’s impact on the world wasn’t limited to Hollywood; he built a life that has been seen by many as a cultural phenomenon.
On Solving Problems
Before he began acting, Norris was already a world champion martial artist, training celebrities and winning multiple karate titles.He was known for his tenacity and ability to overcome problems. He addressed that ability in an interview, saying, “When you try to find ways of solving a problem, you won’t have time to worry.”
He began starring in films in the 1970s and ’80s with projects such as “The Way of the Dragon,” with Bruce Lee.
On Inner Strength
In his book “The Secret of Inner Strength,” Norris famously said: “There is no finish line. When you reach one goal, find a new one.”In 1993, he began his most iconic role as “Walker, Texas Ranger.” He starred as Ranger Cordell Walker until 2001, in a role that personified justice and traditional values. During that time, he became associated with moral clarity and strength.
On the Strength of Men
Norris is widely credited as saying: “Men are like steel. When they lose their temper, they lose their worth.”In the 2000s, he became the subject of “Chuck Norris facts,” short, exaggerated jokes that portrayed him as an almost mythical figure capable of the impossible. The jokes and later memes reflected the public’s boundless admiration for Norris and his larger-than-life persona.
On His Politics
Norris the movie star, however, wasn’t loved by everyone, and he at one time wrote a column about his political beliefs, which were not always met with broad acceptance.“[I haven’t] always been warmly welcomed for holding my conservative positions,” he said.
“I’ve never been very good at being politically correct.”
In his book “Black Belt Patriotism: How to Reawaken America,” Norris laid out his worldview directly, saying he believed that the Constitution should be interpreted according to its original meaning and that he had concerns about cultural and moral decline in the United States.
On Setting Goals
In his book “Against All Odds: My Story,” Norris wrote about how he sets goals: “I remembered the story of the bumblebee.“Aerodynamically, it is impossible for the bumblebee to fly. The body is too big for the small size of the wings, but apparently no one told the bumblebee that, so he flies! That’s pretty much the story of setting goals. Nothing is impossible unless you believe it is.”
On Faith
Throughout his life, Norris was clear about the important role his faith played in his life.“I gave my life to the Lord at 12,” Norris said in an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network. “People say I’m the luckiest guy ... but luck had nothing to do with it; God had everything to do with it.”
“I wanted my life to be about things that mattered, not merely for a moment but for eternity,” he said.
What Others Had to Say
The post about Norris’s death garnered almost 30,000 comments within hours. Many comments had the same theme: Fans said that Norris’s death was his promotion to something bigger and better.“The world didn’t lose Chuck Norris, it just gained a guardian at a higher level,” one commenter said.
Another wrote, “Chuck Norris didn’t pass away—he just walked into heaven and told Saint Peter, ‘I’ll take it from here.’”
Still another said: “Chuck Norris didn’t die. He passed from this life to the next. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”
In their announcement of his passing, Norris’s family had one last message from the actor and icon who warmed the homes and hearts of so many: “To him, you were not just fans, you were his friends.”