Chuck Norris, the former world karate champion who parlayed his formidable fighting skills into a highly successful career as an action movie star and television mainstay, has died at the age of 86.
His family announced the news of his Thursday passing via social media. In their statement, they requested privacy regarding the specifics of his death, but offered comfort to fans by noting, “Please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.”
Norris first made a name for himself in the late 1960s by dominating the competitive karate circuit, winning numerous championships. His legendary transition to the silver screen was jump-started by his friendship with fellow martial arts pioneer Bruce Lee. This connection led to Norris’s memorable breakout role as Lee’s formidable opponent in the 1972 classic The Way of the Dragon.
Over the following twenty years, Norris became a definitive face of the action genre. He headlined a series of budget-conscious yet highly profitable blockbusters, including Invasion U.S.A. and The Delta Force. He later captured a massive television audience as the star of the long-running hit series Walker, Texas Ranger.
Beyond his prolific entertainment career, Norris also cultivated a strong political profile, frequently using his public platform to vocalize his support for right-wing political causes.
