Chuck Norris, the martial arts legend who became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable action stars and the face of the hit television series Walker, Texas Ranger, has died at the age of 86.

According to a statement released by his family, Norris passed away Thursday in Hawaii after being hospitalized. He died peacefully while surrounded by his loved ones. The family described him as a man of strong faith, discipline, and dedication, saying he inspired millions through his work, kindness, and commitment to the people around him. They also thanked fans around the world for their support throughout his life and asked for privacy regarding the exact circumstances of his death.

Norris remained a global pop-culture icon for decades, known not only for his action films and television work but also for his influence in martial arts and later internet culture, where he became the subject of the famous “Chuck Norris Facts” jokes that celebrated his toughness and strength.

Unlike many actors who only played fighters on screen, Norris was a real martial arts champion. He held black belts in several disciplines, including karate, Tang Soo Do, and taekwondo, and trained with Bruce Lee. The two famously faced each other in The Way of the Dragon (1972), in a fight scene that became one of the most memorable moments in martial arts film history.

Before becoming an actor, Norris worked as a karate instructor and trained several celebrities, including Steve McQueen, who encouraged him to try acting. His breakthrough came with Lone Wolf McQuade (1983), where he played a Texas Ranger, a role that helped establish his quiet but tough screen image.

During the peak of his film career in the 1980s, Norris became one of the biggest action stars in Hollywood. He appeared in popular films such as Missing in Action (1984), Code of Silence (1985), Invasion U.S.A. (1985), Firewalker (1986), and The Delta Force (1986). Although critics were often harsh on his movies, they were very successful with audiences and made him one of the most bankable action actors of the decade.

On television, Norris reached an even wider audience with Walker, Texas Ranger, which premiered in 1993 and ran for nine seasons. In the series, he played Cordell Walker, a Texas Ranger who fought crime while defending justice and traditional values. The show became popular worldwide and remained one of the most recognized action series of the 1990s. A new version of Walker, starring Jared Padalecki, aired from 2021 to 2024.

Born Carlos Ray Norris on March 10, 1940, in Ryan, Oklahoma, he grew up in a poor family and often said that Western film heroes like John Wayne inspired his sense of discipline and morality. After finishing high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force, where he began studying martial arts while stationed in South Korea. He later developed his own fighting style known as Chun Kuk Do.

After leaving the military, Norris opened karate schools and became a successful competitor, winning multiple championships. His real-life experience in martial arts helped him build a film career where he often played strong but principled heroes.

Outside of acting, Norris wrote several books, appeared in both action and family films, and remained active in martial arts organizations. He also became a surprising figure in internet culture, as fans created the popular “Chuck Norris Facts,” jokes that spread around the world and introduced him to a new generation.

In a past interview, Norris once said that his movies were about “good fighting evil,” a theme he believed audiences connected with because it showed the kind of justice people wished existed in real life.

He is survived by his wife Gena, whom he married in 1998, and his children Mike, Dina, Eric, Danilee, and Dakota.

Chuck Norris leaves behind a legacy as one of the most enduring action stars in film and television, a true martial arts icon whose influence on action cinema, popular culture, and generations of fans will continue to be felt for many years to come.