Chuck Norris, the martial artist and actor who became a household name as the star of “Walker, Texas Ranger,” died Thursday morning, his family announced Friday. He was 86.
“It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning,” his family wrote on Instagram. “While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.”
The family described him as a symbol of strength to the world, but to them, “a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family.”
While the family did not share a cause of death, they noted he had been hospitalized earlier that day in Hawaii following a medical emergency.
Born Carlos Ray “Chuck” Norris on March 10, 1940, in Ryan, Oklahoma, the actor often recalled feeling shy and unathletic as a child.
“Most people see a person in his success mode and they say, ‘Boy, was he lucky. He was a karate star. Then he did movies.’ But it was extremely difficult,” Norris said, according to NBC News.
Chuck Norris’ storied career
Norris’ career delighted audiences as he became the archetype of the rugged American hero, defined by his signature martial arts style and spinning back kick. He starred in action films including “The Hitman,” “The Delta Force” and “Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection.”
He later transitioned to television, where he was best known for his nine-season role as Sgt. Cordell Walker in “Walker, Texas Ranger.” The show ran from 1993 to 2001, according to IMDb.
“I play the man in the arena who’s pushed to the wall and forced to blast his way out,” he once said, according to The New York Times.
In 2008, Norris turned to political activism, supporting a presidential candidate and using his platform to promote civic participation. In his later years, as his acting career slowed, he embraced his status as a prolific internet meme and became an advocate for healthy living.
“I’ve learned a lot about healthy aging over the years,” Norris told The Healthy in 2023, “and one of my most important discoveries is the power of listening to your body and identifying what helps it perform at its best.”
Chuck Norris’ ties to Utah
During a trip to Utah to launch his water brand, CForce, Norris made several stops at Maverik gas stations as part of a promotional deal, as previously reported by the Deseret News.
While in the Beehive State in 2017, Norris visited Mark Parry, a former missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Parry, 33, who had Down syndrome and was battling Stage 4 gastrointestinal cancer, was one of the actor’s most devoted fans, Deseret News previously reported.
After seeing Norris on television, Parry became a lifelong enthusiast. He purchased the Norris-sponsored Total Gym workout machine, enrolled in karate to earn a black belt and frequently wore a cowboy hat, Norris style.
When Parry’s family and friends reached out to see if Norris would be visiting Utah anytime soon and asked if a meeting would be possible.
Norris delivered, spending time with Parry and signing every “Walker, Texas Ranger” DVD the fan owned, according to the article.
“I am still amazed they would come and do that,” Parry’s mother later said. “They could not have been nicer. Chuck Norris was as kind a person as I’ve ever met.”
She noted the visit felt like a “friend down the street” dropping by.
“You hear a lot about celebrities and how difficult they are. You don’t get to see the other side. I thought they might have their PR people with them, taking pictures and following them around. But they wanted no publicity, no photos, no attention. They didn’t want anything; just to make a boy’s dream come true.”