MANILA — Chuck Norris, the legendary martial artist turned film and television star, has died at 86. Widely recognized for his role in Walker, Texas Ranger and a string of action films, Norris became synonymous with strength, discipline, and resilience—earning both global respect and a wave of pop culture tributes.
According to his family, Norris passed away on Thursday in what they described as an unexpected loss. They shared that he spent his final moments peacefully with family members by his side, while asking for privacy as they grieve.
Long before achieving fame in Hollywood, Norris was already a dominant force in martial arts competition. He held the title of six-time undefeated World Professional Middleweight Karate champion and later established his own martial arts system, Chun Kuk Do. Through the United Fighting Arts Federation, he helped train and certify thousands of practitioners around the world. His lifetime achievements were recognized with a 10th-degree black belt by Black Belt magazine.
Norris was born Carlos Ray Norris in Ryan, Oklahoma, on March 10, 1940, and grew up in humble circumstances. His family later moved to Torrance, California, where he spent his formative years. In 1958, he joined the United States Air Force. During his service in South Korea, he began studying martial arts—an experience that would ultimately shape his future and define his legacy.
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