Chuck (born Carlos Ray) Norris died yesterday at the age of 86. No cause of death was given.
Surprisingly, Carlos Ray Norris described himself growing up as a shy, nonathletic and mediocre student. His parents divorced when Carlos was 16. His family suffered financially, since his father didn’t always work and had a drinking problem.
When Carlos was 18 he joined the Air Force. That move changed his life. Carlos was was sent to Osan Air Base, South Korea. That’s where he folks began calling him Chuck (which stuck) and he started learning the martial arts.
Upon his discharge, Chuck Norris opened a chain of martial arts schools and he began entering martial arts competitions. Mr. Norris competed from 1968 to 1974 compiling a 183 win, 10 loss, 2 draw record. Chuck Norris was a six-time undefeated World Professional Middleweight Karate champion. He held multiple black belts in serveral different martial arts forms. It was during this time, that Chuck Norris met Bruce Lee. They became friends and occassionally trained together.
Mr. Norris’ martial arts schools attracted several celebrities including Steve McQueen, Bob Barker, Priscilla Presley, as well as Donny and Marie Osmond.
Chuck Norris’ first acting role was in a small part in the Dean Martin film, The Wrecking Crew. It was his role in Bruce Lee’s Way of the Dragon (titled Return of the Dragon in the US) that brought Chuck Norris to the attention of Hollywood. Chuck Norris became a star, headlining dozens of feature films as well as Walker, Texas Ranger the hit television series that ran for nine seasons and several made-for-tv movies.
Some of the television projects that feature Chuck Norris acting include: Room 222; Chuck Norris: Karate Kommandos (5 episodes); Wind in the Wire; Walker, Texas Ranger (196 episodes); Logan’s War: Bound by Honor; Sons of Thunder (4 episodes); Martial Law; The President’s Man; The President’s Man: A Line in the Sand; Walker Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire; The Goldbergs and Hawaii 5-0.
Some feature films that Chuck Norris appeared in include: The Wrecking Crew; The Way of the Dragon; Breaker! Breaker!; Good Guys Wear Black; A Force of One; The Octagon; An Eye for an Eye; Silent Rage; Forced Vengeance; Lone Wolf McQuade; Missing in Action; Missing in Action II: The Beginning; Code of Silence; Invasion USA; The Delta Force; Firewalker; Braddock: Missiing in Action III; Hero and the Terror; Delta Force 2: The Columbian Connection; The Hitman; Sidekicks; Dodgeball: A True Underdog’s Story and The Expendables 2.
I first saw Chuick Norris acting in Way of the Dragon. What an impression he made! I was always excited to see each film when Mr. Norris began starring in action movies. Favorites include A Force of One and The Octagon. Of course I loved when Chuck Norris showed up in Expendables 2. Chuck Norris is one of the few actors that I like as much off screen as on.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Chuck Norris’ family, friends and fans.