Actor and martial artist Chuck Norris, famed for roles including The Way Of The Dragon and Missing In Action, has died following a sudden hospitalisation. He was 86.
His family announced the news in a statement shared on Instagram, saying they were doing so with “heavy hearts”. “To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength,” they wrote. “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.”
Norris became ill and was hospitalised in Hawaii on Thursday for an undisclosed condition. The family said it would like to keep the details private, adding, “please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace”.
Earlier this month, Norris marked his 86th birthday with a video of himself boxing, captioned: “I don’t age. I level up.” He also wrote, “Nothing like some playful action on a sunny day to make you feel young,” he added.
Born Carlos Ray Norris in Oklahoma on March 19, 1940, he moved to California with his family at 12 and later joined the US Air Force. It was during a deployment to Korea that he began training in martial arts, a path that eventually saw him become a six-time undefeated World Professional Middleweight Karate champion. He also founded a Korean based American hard style of karate, sometimes known as Chun Kuk Do, which has awarded more than 3,300 Chuck Norris System black belts worldwide.
After being honourably discharged in 1962, Norris applied to become a police officer but was put on a waitlist. He then moved into acting, debuting in The Wrecking Crew in 1968. His fight with Bruce Lee in The Way of The Dragon in 1972 helped propel him into stardom, and he went on to appear in more than 20 films, including Missing in Action, The Delta Force and Sidekicks. He also made a surprise comedic appearance as a decisive judge in the final match of the 2004 film Dodgeball. In later years, Norris became a viral online sensation and leaned into the meme culture surrounding his name.
Tributes have flowed from fellow actors and martial artists. Dolph Lundgren, who worked with Norris on The Expendables 2, called him a “role model” and wrote, “Chuck Norris is a champ. Someone who had the respect, humility and strength it takes to be a man. We will miss you, my friend.” Sylvester Stallone remembered him as a “great man”, writing, “I had a great time working with Chuck. He was All American in every way.” Jean-Claude Van Damme also paid tribute, saying he had always respected his friend and adding, “He will never be forgotten.”
Norris’s son, Dakota, said he would remember his father for his generosity, kindness, strength and discipline. “You lived your life with purpose and with love for all people,” he wrote. “The memories we made, the lessons you taught me and the constant laughs we shared will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
His granddaughter, Greta Norris, remembered him as “one of the most special” and an “icon”. “You all knew Chuck Norris as the man who counted to infinity twice, the man who got bit by a cobra and the cobra died,” she wrote. “I knew him as the old man who would come to grandparents’ days at school, my soccer games, and cheer me on as proud as he could be.”
