American actor and martial artist Chuck Norris dies aged 86
He was remembered as ‘a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather’ by his family.
American actor and martial artist Chuck Norris has died aged 86, his family has confirmed.
Norris – who is known for starring with his late friend Bruce Lee in The Way Of The Dragon (1972) and in US action TV series Walker, Texas Ranger as the titular character – was remembered as “a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather” and “an incredible brother” by his family.
In a post on Norris’s Instagram account, his family said: “It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning. While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.
“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.”
They said Norris, who was born in Oklahoma, “lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved”, and said his work “inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives”.
The family statement 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.
“We know many of you had heard about his recent hospitalization, and we are truly grateful for the prayers and support you sent his way.
“As we grieve this loss, we kindly ask for privacy for our family during this time.
“Thank you for loving him with us.”
He made his last film appearance as himself in Australian action comedy film Zombie Plane, and is also known for roles in The Expendables 2, The Delta Force and Code Of Silence.
Norris served in the US Air Force prior to his acting career, and was a black belt in karate, taekwondo, tang soo do, Brazilian jiu jitsu, and judo – he also founded his own discipline chun kuk do.
Following his appearance as villain Colt in The Way Of The Dragon, Norris’s friend, Bullitt actor Steve McQueen, suggested he took acting more seriously, and a starring role in 1977 action film Breaker! Breaker! followed, along with a second lead in Good Guys Wear Black (1978).
Norris then became a household name after starring in the martial arts films A Force Of One (1979), The Octagon (1980), and An Eye For An Eye (1981), appearing with the late Sir Christopher Lee in the latter.
His first wife Dianne Holecheck passed away in December, the pair shared two children, Mike, an actor, and Nascar champion Eric Norris, the pair divorced in 1988, and he later married Gena O’Kelley in 1998, with whom he shared twins Dakota and Danilee.
Norris also had a daughter called Dina from an extramarital relationship during his time in the US Air Force.
