Chuck Norris

Who Is Chuck Norris?

Chuck Norris is a renowned martial artist, actor, and cultural icon. He began his martial arts journey in the 1950s while serving in the U.S. Air Force in Korea. Upon his return to the United States, he opened a karate studio, eventually transitioning into acting in the 1970s. Norris gained fame for his role alongside Bruce Lee in Way of the Dragon and went on to become a popular action film star in the 1980s. His career continued to soar with the success of his own television series, Walker, Texas Ranger, which aired in the 1990s.

Early Years

Chuck Norris was born as the eldest of three boys, often describing himself as “the shy kid who never excelled at anything in school.” Raised in a challenging environment, his father was an alcoholic who largely disappeared from his life after his parents divorced. At the age of 10, Norris moved with his mother and brothers to California, where he attended North Torrance High School. In 1958, Norris married his high school sweetheart, Dianne Holechek, the same year he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. While stationed at Osan Air Base in South Korea, he began studying martial arts. After leaving the Air Force in 1962, he transitioned into a career as a karate instructor.

Martial Arts Expert

In the 1960s, Norris expanded his influence by opening more than 30 karate studios across the country, teaching various celebrities, including Priscilla Presley and actor Steve McQueen. McQueen encouraged Norris to pursue acting, which led to his entry into the film industry. Alongside his teaching career, Norris became a highly successful martial arts competitor. He participated in numerous tournaments and consistently emerged victorious.

Norris earned his first World Middleweight Karate Championship title in 1968, a title he successfully defended five times. After his 1974 victory, he decided to retire from competitive martial arts, solidifying his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest fighters.

Film and Television Star

While Chuck Norris had made a brief film appearance earlier in his career, it was his role in the 1972 film Way of the Dragon (also known as Return of the Dragon in the United States) that left a lasting impact on audiences. One of the standout moments in the film was his iconic fight scene with martial arts legend Bruce Lee, staged in the historic Roman Colosseum. In 1977, Norris took on his first starring role in the action film Breaker! Breaker!.

Norris quickly became known for his action-packed roles, often portraying characters who delivered swift justice to wrongdoers. His films such as Good Guys Wear Black and Forced Vengeance were popular among moviegoers. In 1984, Norris starred in Missing in Action, where he portrayed a former prisoner of war returning to Vietnam to rescue soldiers still imprisoned, a tribute to his younger brother, Wieland, who had died in combat in Vietnam.

Norris received positive critical acclaim for his role in Code of Silence (1985), a cop movie that showcased his versatility. He also teamed up with tough-guy icon Lee Marvin in The Delta Force (1986). However, by the early 1990s, his box-office appeal had begun to wane. Transitioning to television, Norris starred in Walker, Texas Ranger, where he played the honorable crime-fighter Cordell Walker for eight seasons. The show remained popular throughout its run, ending in 2001. Since then, Norris has taken on fewer acting roles, focusing on other ventures, including acting as a spokesperson for exercise equipment in infomercials.

Philanthropist and Activist

Outside of his acting career, Chuck Norris is a dedicated philanthropist. He has supported a variety of charitable organizations, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and United Way. In 1992, Norris founded his own charitable organization, Kickstart, with the assistance of President George H.W. Bush. Kickstart provides martial arts training to middle school students, fostering respect, discipline, and self-esteem.

A politically conservative figure, Norris has campaigned for Republican candidates, including supporting George H.W. Bush in the 1988 presidential election and Mike Huckabee in the 2008 Republican primaries. A staunch advocate for Second Amendment rights, he has worked alongside the National Rifle Association to oppose legislation that seeks to restrict gun ownership.

HISTORY Car Week Special

Chuck Norris will take viewers on an exciting journey through the history of military vehicles in the one-hour HISTORY Car Week special, Chuck Norris’s Epic Guide to Military Vehicles. The special, which aired on Monday, July 8 at 9/8c, showcases some of the most innovative and impressive vehicles in the history of the Armed Forces, including amphibious trucks capable of crossing water and terrain, and a six-wheeled Humvee equipped with more firepower than some tanks.

Personal Life

Norris has been married twice. He has three children from his first marriage to Dianne Holechek, which ended in divorce in 1988. In 1998, he married Gena O’Kelley, and the couple welcomed twins three years later.

Known for his love of speed, Norris has competed in offshore powerboat racing. In 1997, he achieved a significant martial arts milestone by becoming the first person in the Western Hemisphere to earn an 8th degree Black Belt Grand Master title.

A man of reflection, Norris has written several books. His 1988 autobiography, The Secret of Inner Strength, became a bestseller. He later published The Secret Power Within: Zen Solutions to Real Problems in 2004. In 2007, Norris was honored as an honorary U.S. Marine for his longstanding support of the military, particularly his efforts on behalf of wounded servicemen.