Iconic martial artist and stuntman Chuck Norris passed away on March 19 at the age of 86. Best known for his long-term role in the 1990s series, “Walker, Texas Ranger,” the multi-hyphenate was a martial artist, actor, screenwriter and author.
Born Carlos Ray Norris in 1940, he spent the majority of his childhood in Oklahoma before moving to Kansas and then California after his parents’ divorce. He had two younger brothers and was incredibly shy and introverted growing up.
Neither athletic nor academically gifted, Norris enlisted in the Air Force once he turned 18 and was stationed in South Korea. There, he had his first introduction to martial arts, studying the Korean martial art Tang Soo Do.
After four years, Norris was discharged from the Air Force and returned to California, opening what would become a chain of martial arts studios and competing with increasing success in martial arts tournaments. Several celebrity students at Norris’s martial arts studio include Steve McQueen and Priscilla Presley.
Through his friendship with Steve McQueen, Norris started making forays into the acting world in the early 1970s. His breakthrough came when he played Bruce Lee’s nemesis in the martial arts film “Return of the Dragon.” In subsequent films, including “Good Guys Wear Black” and “A Force of One,” Norris also served as the martial arts choreographer.
In 1993, Norris took on his longest-lasting role, playing Sergeant Cordell Walker in the action show “Walker, Texas Ranger.” The series centers on Norris’s character and his fight against criminals. The show aired until 2001 on CBS and received generally positive reviews and ratings. The role also earned Norris the title “Honorary Texan,” and in 2010, Texas Governor Rick Perry gave him an honorary “Texas Ranger” title.
Beyond earning black belts in Tang Soo Do, Taekwondo, Karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo, Norris also established two new unique martial arts systems. In 1966, Norris developed American Tang Soo Do, which contained elements of traditional Tang Soo Do, Judo and Karate. Later in 1990, he established Chun Kuk Do, which later became known as the Chuck Norris System and was influenced by his martial arts training in South Korea.
Norris also has a lengthy list of tournament wins and accolades. In 1968, he won Professional Midweight Karate Champion, a title he held for six consecutive years. The next year, Norris won Karate’s triple crown for having the most tournament wins of the year. A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989 was followed by an induction into the Martial Arts History Museum’s Hall of Fame in 1999.
Outside of Norris’s many accomplishments, he was also very involved in philanthropy. In 1990, he established United Fighting Arts Federation and Kickstart Kids, focused on helping at-risk children by involving them in martial arts to focus their energy on a positive outlet and help build a better future for themselves.
After a brief hospitalization in Hawaii, Chuck Norris passed away on March 19. He is survived by his wife, five children and multiple grandchildren.
