Chuck Norris, the American action‑star, passed away on Thursday at the age of 86, his family announced on Friday. In a statement, they said, “We would like to keep the circumstances private, but we assure you that he peacefully slipped away surrounded by his family”.
They added that “to the world he was a martial‑artist, an actor and a symbol of strength. To us he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, a wonderful brother, and the heart of our family. He lived his life with faith, determination, and unwavering devotion to the people he loved. Through his work, his discipline, and his kindness he inspired millions worldwide and left a lasting impression on so many”.
During his career, Norris specialized in playing silent lone wolves. He first drew wider attention as the adversary of Bruce Lee in “The Dragon Returns” (1972), and later gained fame through the “Missing in Action” trilogy (1984‑1988) and the television series “Walker, Texas Ranger” (1993‑2001), for which he also served as executive producer. After not appearing in film since 2004, he made a brief return in “The Expendables 2” (2012).
Since the early 2000s, Norris has inadvertently become a fixture in Internet meme culture. Under the banner “Chuck Norris Facts” jokes humorously reference his martial‑arts roles and combat skills.
