Chuck Norris, ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’ star and martial artist, dies at 86

Chuck Norris, longtime actor and martial artist, has died, his family said in a statement Friday. He was 86.

“It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning,” the family said. “While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.”

Norris was hospitalized in Hawaii earlier this week after an undisclosed medical emergency, according to TMZ.

“To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength. To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family,” the family said. “He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved. Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives.”

The family added: “While our hearts are broken, we are deeply grateful for the life he lived and for the unforgettable moments we were blessed to share with him. The love and support he received from fans around the world meant so much to him, and our family is truly thankful for it. To him, you were not just fans, you were his friends.”

Norris, who turned 86 on March 10, posted an Instagram video on his birthday showing him sparring with a trainer.

“I don’t age. I level up,” he wrote in a caption. “I’m 86 today! Nothing like some playful action on a sunny day to make you feel young. I’m grateful for another year, good health, and the chance to keep doing what I love. Thank you all for being the best fans in the world. Your support through the years has meant more to me than you’ll ever know.”

Born Carlos Ray Norris in Ryan, Okla., in 1940, he moved to Torrance, Calif., with his family when he was 12. Norris joined joined the U.S. Air Force after high school, in 1958, and learned martial arts while serving in South Korea.

After returning to the United States, Norris competed in martial arts competitions (he was a six-time World Professional Middleweight Karate champion) and opened his own studio, training celebrity clients including Steve McQueen.

Over the years, he developed his own style of karate, known as Chun Kuk Do or the Chuck Norris System.

Norris got his first big break in Hollywood in 1972, appearing opposite Bruce Lee in Way of the Dragon.

He went on to star in a steady stream martial arts movies and action films, including Breaker! Breaker! (1977), Good Guys Wear Black (1978), A Force of One (1979), The Octagon (1980), An Eye for an Eye (1981), Silent Rage (1982) and Missing in Action (1984), Missing in Action 2 (1985), The Delta Force (1986) and Firewalker (1986).

Also read: Chuck Norris: 5 of the greatest fight scenes from his legendary career

His television career took off in 1993 with the debut of Walker, Texas Ranger. The show ran for eight full seasons on CBS.

Norris continued making films during and after TV success, even playing himself in the 2004 hit comedy Dodgeball. The last mainstream movie he appeared in was The Expendables 2, in 2012. Norris starred in Agent Recon, a 2024 sci-fi action film, and he’s due to appear in Zombie Plane alongside Vanilla Ice.

He appeared with Christie Brinkley in a long-running series of cable TV infomercials promoting fitness equipment.

In the mid-2000s, Norris and his action hero image gained internet fame when when people began posting “Chuck Norris Facts” online (“They wanted to put Chuck Norris on Mt. Rushmore, but the granite wasn’t tough enough for his beard”). Norris himself embraced the meme and even authored a book collecting the absurd facts.

Related: With Chuck Norris, you just had to be there to understand

“To some who know little of my martial arts or film careers but perhaps grew up with ‘Walker, Texas Ranger,’ it seems that I have become a somewhat mythical superhero icon,” Norris wrote in the forward. “I am flattered and humbled.”

Norris was a Christian conservative who endorsed Republican candidates, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Mike Huckabee and Donald Trump.

Norris had five children: two (sons Mike and Eric) from his with first wife, Dianne Holechek, who he was married to from 1958 to 1989; twins (Dakota and Danilee) with his wife, Gena Kelley, who he had been married to since 1998; and one (Dina) from an extramarital relationship in the early 1960s, which he revealed in a 2004 memoir.

He also had more than a dozen grandchildren.

Tributes pour in

In Texas, where Norris owned a ranch, Gov. Greb Abbott mourned the action icon’s death.

“Texas has lost a legend,” Abbott wrote. “He was not only a martial arts champion, action icon, and the one and only Walker, Texas Ranger. But he electrified generations of conservatives. Giving them a passion and voice to fight for the principles that make America the greatest nation on earth. He embodied the toughness, grit, and patriotism that makes Texas supreme.”

Fellow action movie legend Sylvester Stallone, who starred with Norris in The Expendables 2, paid tribute on Instagram.

“I had a great time working with Chuck,” Stallone wrote. “He was All American in every way. Great man and my condolences to his wonderful family.”

Dolph Lundgren — who also worked with Norris on that film — also remembered his former costar in an Instagram post.

“Deepest condolences on the passing of my friend, Chuck Norris,” Jean-Claude Van Damme, another Expendables 2 co-star and fellow action movie hero, wrote on Instagram. “We knew each other from my early days, and I always respected the man he was. My heart and prayers are with his family. He will never be forgotten.”

His grieving daughter, Danilee, posted a heartfelt tribute to her father on Instagram.

“My dad was my protector the moment I was born,” she wrote.