R.I.P. Chuck Norris (1940-2026)
I’m sorry to say that the great Chuck Norris passed away on March 20th, 2026, at the age of 86. I always loved his movies, especially when I was a young high school and college student. My favorite Chuck Norris film is Code of Silence. It’s well worth watching in his honor.
Chuck Norris Tributes
Here’s a nice article about Norris’s life from The Dallas Express:
Also very good is this nice video celebrating Norris’ life by CNN:
You can also read all about Chuck Norris on his wikipedia page:
Chuck Norris the Karate World Champion
Chuck Norris served as an Air Policeman in the U.S. Air Force from 1958 to 1962.
While in the Air Force, Norris was stationed in California and South Korea. While in South Korea, he studied martial arts, specifically Tang Soo Do, and became highly proficient at it. After serving his country, Norris became a competitive karate fighter. He was highly successful. He became the Professional Middleweight Karate World Champion for six consecutive years, going undefeated and holding the title from 1968 to 1974.
Norris was so good at martial arts, he became able to fight like a superhero!
Chuck Norris the Teacher
Eventually, Norris developed his own martial arts style and founded a martial arts organization called The United Fighting Arts Federation (UFAF). The UFAF oversees the Chuck Norris System (CNS), a comprehensive style focusing on self-defense, competition, and fitness. Originating from Norris’ training in Tang Soo Do and competition career, it was called Chun Kuk Do from 1990–2015 before returning to being called the Chuck Norris System. Norris loved teaching the discipline and benefits of learning martial arts.
Chuck Norris the Martial Arts Hero
One of Norris’ students was the legendary actor Steve McQueen. It was McQueen who encouraged Norris to pursue acting. Interestingly, Norris said in interviews that he was painfully shy as a kid, but learning martial arts gave him the confidence he needed later for acting.
The 1968 comedy spy movie The Wrecking Crew was Norris’ first film, but he was only an uncredited extra in the movie. Then Norris began making martial arts films. His first of these was with fellow martial arts star Bruce Lee in The Way of the Dragon (1972). In the film, Lee and Norris have an epic fight in Italy’s Colosseum, simultaneously honoring the history of the Roman gladiators who had fought in the Colosseum centuries before.
After The Way of the Dragon, Norris went on to star in his own martial arts films like Good Guys Wear Black (1978), A Force of One (1979), and The Octagon (1980). Norris became especially famous for his roundhouse kick.
Chuck Norris the Action Hero
In the 1980’s, Norris’ acting career really took off as he transitioned into making patriotic action movies like Lone Wolf McQuade (1983), Missing in Action (1984), Invasion U.S.A. (1985), and The Delta Force (1986). Norris’ films were always fun and full of great karate fights.
Chuck Norris’s Best Movie
My all time favorite Chuck Norris movie is Code of Silence. In the movie, he elevates his acting, playing Eddie Cusack who has to fight corruption in the Chicago Police Department. Definitely a movie worth watching!
Chuck Norris Is Walker Texas Ranger
In 1993, Norris switched to television and starred in the iconic series Walker Texas Ranger. Norris played Cordell “Cord” Walker and fought criminals in Dallas-Fort Worth Texas. The show ran for 9 seasons, until 2001.
It was a fun show and I enjoyed watching it for many years. From 1998-1999, Walker Texas Ranger actually became the 15th most watched show. I remember Norris made an appearance at the time on The David Letterman Show, and Letterman asked Norris, somewhat incredulously, “Your show is an actual hit, isn’t it?” Letterman then joked that it was the only CBS show doing well, a self-deprecating joke since CBS was indeed struggling in the ratings at the time and Letterman’s own show was on CBS.
The show had a good cast which included Walker’s partner James “Jimmy” Trivette, played by Clarence Gilyard, Jr., and Alex Cahill, played by Sheree J. Wilson, who played an Assistant District Attorney who helped them prosecute the criminals they caught. A key fourth main character on Walker Texas Ranger was Noble Willingham, who played retired Ranger C.D. Parker. Norris’s son Eric worked as a stuntman on the show and directed fourteen episodes. Norris’ son Mike starred in one episode.
In a very nice moment of reality imitating art, in 2010 Norris was made an honorary Texas Ranger by then Texas Governor Rick Perry. Perry chose to honor Norris because Walker Texas Ranger had helped bring positive attention to the great real life crime fighting done by the Texas Rangers. I love Norris great smiling laugh in this picture of him receiving the honorary recognition, which included him getting his own Texas Ranger badge:
Chuck Norris isn’t the most famous Texas Ranger. I’d say that honor goes to The Lone Ranger, who I have feature on my radio show, Superhero Smash:
- Audio Issue #38: Western Heroes (2/1/25)
- In this action-packed audio episode, Superhero Smash tells thrilling stories of yesteryear!
- Audio Issue #42: The Western Heroes Ride Again! (6/4/25)
- In this action-packed audio episode, Superhero Smash returns to thrilling stories of yesteryear!
Although Norris was a Californian, in 2017 the Texas Senate named Norris an honorary Texan.
Chuck Norris the Ultimate Tough Guy
Later in life, Chuck Norris became a popular internet meme for being the toughest person ever! I especially like this one:
But probably the best meme as we mourn Chuck Norris passing is this one:
Rest In Peace, Chuck
I like to think that before the Grim Reaper took him, Chuck Norris landed one more of his signature roundhouse kicks and broke the Reaper’s scythe:
R.I.P. Chuck. When you beat death, come back to visit us!
