Chuck Norris: Martial Arts Champion and Walker, Texas Ranger Star Dies a

Chuck Norris was an American martial artist, actor and author best known for starring in the CBS series Walker, Texas Ranger and for facing Bruce Lee in the film Way of the Dragon (1972). Born Carlos Ray Norris on March 10, 1940, in Ryan, Oklahoma, he turned a career in karate into a long run as one of Hollywood's best-known action heroes.

Norris served in the U.S. Air Force from 1958 to 1962, where he picked up the nickname "Chuck" while stationed in South Korea. He won the All-American Karate Championship at Madison Square Garden in 1967, starred in Good Guys Wear Black in 1978, and played the title role in Walker, Texas Ranger from 1993 to 2001. His memoir The Secret of Inner Strength became a New York Times bestseller in 1987.

Norris married Dianne Holechek in 1958 and Gena O'Kelley in 1998, and had five children. He died on March 19, 2026, in Kauai, Hawaii, at age 86. Remembered as a tough but gentle presence on screen, he also became an internet legend when "Chuck Norris facts" exaggerating his toughness took off in 2005.

Achievements: Won the All-American Karate Championship (1967), starred in Good Guys Wear Black (1978), wrote the bestseller The Secret of Inner Strength (1987), starred in Walker, Texas Ranger (1993-2001).

Birth: March 10, 1940 - Ryan, Oklahoma.

Profession: Martial artist, actor, screenwriter and author.

Interesting Facts: Bruce Lee cast Norris as the main villain in Way of the Dragon, and Steve McQueen, his friend and student, encouraged him to pursue acting seriously.