Chuck Norris, the martial arts champion who became an emblematic Eighties action star, died on Thursday. He was 86.
Norris’ family confirmed his death on Instagram Friday morning after reports emerged that Norris had been hospitalized in Hawaii earlier this week after an unspecified medical emergency. No cause of death was given, with the family saying they “would like to keep the circumstances private.” But they added, “please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.”
The family’s statement continued: “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. 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.
“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 was one of the busiest action stars of the 1970s and Eighties, popping up in a mix of big studio flicks and independent martial arts pictures. His 1983 film, Lone Wolf McQuade, in which Norris played a Marine-turned-Texas Ranger, went on to inspire his hit TV show, Walker, Texas Ranger, which enjoyed a nine-season, 203-episode run on CBS during the Nineties and early 2000s.
His genuine martial arts talents, mixed with the imposing, no-nonsense attitude of his characters also famously made Norris perfect fodder for an early internet meme. “Chuck Norris facts” centered on comically hyperbolic examples of the actor’s exploits like, “Chuck Norris doesn’t flush toilets; he scares the shit out of them”; or “Chuck Norris has a grizzly bear rug in his bedroom. It’s not dead. It’s just too scared to move.” Norris embraced the memes, and even made appearances on Late Night With Conan O’Brien (which had long-tapped Walker, Texas Ranger as a font for jokes) where he read out the facts and took part in sketches.
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