Celebrity3 min(s) read
Published 14:14 20 Mar 2026 GMT
Chuck Norris has died aged 86
Chuck Norris, the martial arts expert and TV star, has died at the age of 86.
The actor and karate teacher, famous for his roles in Walker, Texas Ranger and Dodgeball, as well as having a huge cult appeal, was hospitalized in Hawaii before his death was announced in a statement by his family.
Chuck Norris' family release statement after his death
That statement said: “He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved.
"Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives,
“While our hearts are broken, we are deeply grateful for the life he lived and for the unforgettable moments we were blessed to share with him.
"The love and support he received from fans around the world meant so much to him, and our family is truly thankful for it. To him, you were not just fans, you were his friends.”
His family added that they would ‘like to keep the circumstances private … please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.’
The nature of Norris’ reported ‘medical emergency’ has not been revealed.
His heartbreaking final post
Just days before his death, Norris had shared a post marking his birthday, stating: “I don’t age, I level up.”
He added: “I’m 86 today! Nothing like some playful action on a sunny day to make you feel young. I’m grateful for another year, good health and the chance to keep doing what I love.
“Thank you all for being the best fans in the world.
"Your support through the years has meant more to me than you’ll ever know.”
Norris wasn’t just an on-screen hard man, he was a real martial artist, holding black belts in karate, tang soo do and taekwondo, as well as training with the legendary Bruce Lee.
He was encouraged to enter acting by Steve McQueen, and went on to star in many productions on the big and small screen.
Later in life, he discovered a cult ‘meme’ following as he became famous for how tough he was.
Fans would create fake ‘Chuck Norris facts’ about him, making overblown comedic claims about how tough he was.
Classics included: “People wanted to add Chuck Norris to Mount Rushmore, but the granite was not tough enough for his beard.”
On his history of portraying on-screen violence, Norris was philosophical, stating in one 1990s interview: “When you are fighting good against evil, when the good guys are taking on the bad guys and winning, then I think that’s good,
“Unfortunately in our society, in reality, that’s not always the case. … “It’s nice to be able for do movies where people say, ‘This is what should happen, this is the way it should be in real life.’
“That’s why I think I’m so successful.”
He is survived by his wife Gena and children Mike, Dina, Eric, Danilee, and Dakota.