Early Life
Carlos Ray Norris served in the U.S. Air Force in South Korea, where he began studying martial arts, and later became a karate champion.
Career
He appeared in Bruce Lee's The Way of the Dragon (1972), then starred in action films such as Missing in Action, Lone Wolf McQuade and Delta Force, and led the television series Walker, Texas Ranger (1993–2001). He founded the martial art system Chun Kuk Do.
Legacy
In the 2000s the “Chuck Norris facts” internet meme turned him into a humorous folk hero. He also promoted martial arts education for young people through the Kickstart Kids program. He died on March 19, 2026, at age 86, after being hospitalized in Hawaii.
Sources and further reading
Last updated: 2026-09-24