Chuck Norris

American martial artist and action actor

Photo by: Yoni S.Hamenahem · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born:March 10, 1940

Died:March 19, 2026

Age at death:86

Zodiac Sign:Pisces

Height:1.78 m (5′10″)

Children:5

Born in:Ryan, United States

Languages:English

Taekwondo Athlete Stunt Performer Writer Actor Film Actor Television Actor Film Producer Screenwriter Karateka

Signature

Links

Wikipedia Official Website IMDb Facebook X (Twitter)Instagram

Famous For

Notable Work

Walker, Texas RangerBlack Belt Patriotism

Movies & TV

The Expendables 2Way of the DragonHawaii Five-0Walker, Texas RangerDodgeBall: A True Underdog Story

Books

Black Belt PatriotismChuck Norris's letter to Barack Obama

Awards

Golden Boot Awards (2001)TV Guide Award (1999)Martial Arts History Museum (1999)BMI Film & TV Awards (1998)BMI Film & TV Awards (1997)

Chuck Norris

American martial artist and action actor

Biography

Carlos Ray "Chuck" Norris (March 10, 1940 – March 19, 2026) was an American martial artist, actor, screenwriter, and author. He held black belts in karate, taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and judo. After serving in the United States Air Force, he won numerous martial arts championships and later founded his own discipline, Chun Kuk Do. Norris began working in the American film industry as a martial arts instructor for celebrities before making his screen debut with a minor role in The Wrecking Crew (1968). Friend and fellow martial artist Bruce Lee invited him to play one of the main villains in The Way of the Dragon (1972). While Norris continued acting, friend and student Steve McQueen suggested he take it seriously. Norris took the starring role in the action film Breaker! Breaker! (1977), which turned a profit. His second lead, Good Guys Wear Black (1978), became a hit, and he soon became a popular action film star. Norris went on to headline a series of commercially successful independent action and martial arts films, including A Force of One (1979), The Octagon (1980), and An Eye for an Eye (1981), which elevated him to international fame. He later starred in studio productions such as Silent Rage (1982), Forced Vengeance (1982), and Lone Wolf McQuade (1983). His success led Cannon Films to sign him to a multi‑picture deal beginning with Missing in Action (1984), which launched a trilogy and cemented his status as the company's leading star throughout the 1980s. His work during this period included Invasion U.S.A. (1985), The Delta Force (1986), and Firewalker (1986). Outside of Cannon, he also starred in Code of Silence (1985), which was regarded as one of his strongest films. In the 1990s, Norris played the title role in the long‑running CBS series Walker, Texas Ranger (1993–2001). He continued to appear in action films until 2006, and his final major film role was in The Expendables 2 (2012). Beyond acting, Norris became a bestselling author of books on martial arts, exercise, philosophy, conservative politics, Christian western fiction, self‑help, and biography, and wrote a regular column for WorldNetDaily. He appeared in numerous commercials, including as a longtime spokesperson for the Total Gym. In 2005, Norris became the subject of the "Chuck Norris facts", an internet meme that humorously exaggerated his toughness and abilities. He endorsed various products that incorporated it, and the phenomenon inspired multiple books, two video games, and several talk‑show appearances.

This biography uses content from the Wikipedia article “Chuck Norris”, available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License.

Quotes

“Many people want and need someone to identify with, a man who is self-reliant, stands on his own two feet, and is not afraid to face adversity. They want to believe in me, just as I believed in John Wayne when I was a boy.”

— The Secret of Inner Strength : My Story (1988), written with Joe Hyams; quoted in "Chuck Norris, Black-Belt Action Star of Movies and Television, Dies at 86" by Clyde Haberman, The New York Times (20 March 2026)

“When you are fighting, good against evil, when the good guys are taking on the bad guys and winning, then I think that’s good … unfortunately in our society, in reality, that’s not always the case.”

— Remarks in an interview in the 1990s; quoted in "Chuck Norris, action hero and star of 'Walker, Texas Ranger,' dies at 86" by Daniel Arkin, NBC News (20 March 2026)

“I would not want to be a politician... Let me tell you this: If I was campaigning, and I go against my opponent and he started attacking my character, and I leap over the table and choke him unconscious, would that help my campaign?”

— Chuck Norris' reply when asked if Walker the Texas Ranger could be president, in an interview by BarelyPolitical.com (5 December 2007)

Quotes sourced from the Wikiquote article "Chuck Norris", available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License.

Photos

Chuck Norris on the set of The Delta Force (1986)

AL ASAD, Iraq - Actor and martial arts star Chuck Norris speaks to Al Asad service members during his meet and greet, Sept. 15. The event at Al Asad was one stop on Norris' tour of various bases in the Middle East to show his support for service members.

Actor Chuck Norris places corporal chevrons on U.S. Marine Corps Corporal John Wright during a promotion ceremony at Camp Taqaddum in the Al Anbar province of Iraq November 2, 2006. Norris is in Iraq on a United Service Organizations (USO) tour. Wright is an intelligence analyst with 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), which is deployed with I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (cropped)

SOUTHWEST Asia -- Security Forces Airmen with the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, pose for a photograph with Walker, Texas Ranger star, Chuck Norris who is currently visiting troops in Southwest Asia. Before becoming a celebrity, Mr. Norris was a Security Forces member in the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Tia Schroeder)

Martial arts expert and action film star, Chuck Norris signs a T-shirt for Corporal William P. Kessler, 23 of Cedar Park, Texas. Kessler, a reconnaissance Marine with Company A, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion from Okinawa, Japan. Norris and fellow actor Marshall Teague toured camps throughout Al Anbar Province and Kuwait as a part of their United Service Organization sponsored trip. The action stars hoped to raise the morale of the troops, give inspirational speeches, and provide a handshake with a smile. They made Camp Fallujah their ninth stop of eleven, finishing up their tour with stops in Camps Ramadi and Taqaddum to visit the troops there. “I came here to see the morale of the troops and to give them a morale boost,” said Norris. “If it helps them in any way positively, I’m elated.”

Martial arts expert and action film star, Chuck Norris signs a T-shirt for Cpl. William P. Kessler, 23 of Cedar Park, TX. Kessler, a reconnaissance Marine with Company A, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion from Okinawa, Japan. Norris and fellow actor Marshall Teague toured camps throughout Al Anbar province and Kuwait as a part of their United Service Organization sponsored trip. The action stars hoped to raise the morale of the troops, give inspirational speeches, and provide a handshake with a smile. They made Camp Fallujah their ninth stop of 11, finishing up their tour with stops in Camps Ramadi and Taqaddum to visit the troops there. âœI came here to see the morale of the troops and to give them a morale boost,â€ said Norris. â€œIf it helps them in any way positively, Iâ€™m elated.â€ Photo by Cpl. Lynn Murillo

MRS. BUSH ADDRESSES A SEN. PETE WILSON FOR GOVERNOR FUNDRAISER AT THE BEVERLY HILTON HOTEL. MRS. BUSH GREETS PERFORMERS INCLUDING CHUCK NORRIS, MARY HART AND 'DOOGIE HOWSER, M.D.'

Chuck Norris on Megyeri bridge

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Actor Chuck Norris poses with members of the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Oct. 29, 2006. Norris, who was accompanied by actor Marshall Teague, met with service members and signed autographs. An Air Force veteran, Norris is known around the world for his starring role on the TV hit Walker, Texas Ranger. He also has starred in more than 20 motion pictures, including Delta Force,Missing in Action and Sidekicks. The actor is also an accomplished author and renowned teacher of martial arts. (AF photo/ Staff Sgt. Ian Carrier)

SOUTHWEST Asia -- Capt Carla Stephany-Cox with the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, gets an autograph signed by Walker, Texas Ranger star, Chuck Norris who is currently visiting troops in Southwest Asia. Capt. Stephany-Cox is deployed from Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Tia Schroeder)