Actor and martial artist Chuck Norris died yesterday morning aged 86, his family has announced on Instagram.
‘You were not just fans, you were his friends’ – family statement in full
Announcing Chuck Norris’s death, his family write on Instagram:
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.
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.
We know many of you had heard about his recent hospitalisation, 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.
Norris hospitalised in Hawaii before his death
Norris was hospitalised in Hawaii for an medical emergency before his death, TMZ originally reported.
In their statement, his family said they prefer to keep the circumstances private, but described Norris’ loss as “sudden”.
“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,” they wrote.
Who was Chuck Norris?
Chuck Norris was a household name in the American martial arts scene, as well as an actor known for his action film roles.
Born in Oklahoma in 1940, he served in the United States Air Force before establishing himself as a star of martial arts – for which he held multiple black belts including in Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Judo and Brazilian jiu jitsu.
He rose to fame as an actor in 1972, after he appeared in Way of the Dragon, alongside martial arts legend Bruce Lee. Some of Norris’s other films include Delta Force and Missing in Action.
But he is perhaps best known for playing Cordell “Cord” Walker in the long-running television series Walker, Texas Ranger.
He is survived by his five children and wife, Gena O’Kelley.
‘The world truly lost an icon and I lost my grandpa’
Greta Norris, the granddaughter of Chuck Norris has paid tribute to him on Instagram.
“You all knew Chuck Norris as the man that counted to infinity twice, the man who got bit by a cobra and the cobra died,” she says.
She says her grandfather was “known for many amazing things but what I am most proud of is I got to know him as my Papa… A grandfather that would sit on his rocking chair and and listen to me tell him stories”.
“He is the most down to earth person ever, in a room full of people he would make it known that he was listening to you and only you,” she adds.
“The world truly lost an icon and I lost my grandpa.”
Chuck Norris, the star of memes
Chuck Norris will always be remembered for his iconic films and television series like Walker, Texas Ranger, but many young people know his face best as one that will be forever immortalised as one of the stars of the early-2010s memes.
His face was often accompanied with white block text superimposed on top, often exalting the actor as a legend and someone impossible to compete with.
Examples include:
“Chuck Norris can pass a vision test with his eyes closed”
“When the Hulk gets really angry, he turns into Chuck Norris”
“The flu has to get a Chuck Norris shot once a year”
“Chuck Norris doesn’t turn on the shower, he stares at it until it starts to cry”
Norris was the real deal, his movies were the perfect vehicle for his skills
Chuck Norris’ hugely popular movies were the perfect vehicle for him to show of the martial arts skills he had developed over many years to a mass audience.
Norris had joined the US Air Force as a teenager, and began training in martial arts while stationed in Korea.
He went on to become a karate champion in the 1960s before landing his first major movie role when his friend and fellow martial artist Bruce Lee invited him to play a villain in 1972’s The Way of the Dragon.
The film showed audiences – as well as Hollywood’s casting directors, just what Norris could do. He seamlessly integrated his authentic combat skills into his screen work.
Remember – movie stars overwhelmingly rely on stunt doubles or special effects when it comes to filming dangerous action scenes.
But Norris was the real deal, and he utilised his expertise in martial arts such as Karate, Taekwondo, Jiu Jitsu and Judo to help him launch a decades-long screen career.
SOURCE: BBC NEWS
