Actor and martial arts master Chuck Norris has died.
Chuck Norris, a legendary actor and martial artist, has died at the age of 86.
“For the world, he was a martial arts master, an actor, and a symbol of strength. For us, he was a loving father, devoted husband and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the true heart of our family,” his relatives said in a statement published on Instagram on March 20.
A day earlier, media outlets reported that the actor had been hospitalized in Hawaii. According to TMZ, he was admitted to the hospital after a workout but was in good spirits and even joking.
On March 10, Norris turned 86. To mark the occasion, he posted a workout video on Instagram with the caption: “I’m not getting older.
I’m leveling up. Today I’m 86! Nothing makes you feel younger than a little activity on a sunny day. I’m grateful for another year of life, good health, and the ability to keep doing what I love.”
Norris’s family has not disclosed the circumstances of his death but emphasized that he “passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.”
The legendary actor
Carlos Ray Norris (the actor’s real name) was born on March 10, 1940, in Ryan, Oklahoma, into the family of a mechanic and a
teacher.
He became interested in martial arts while serving in the U.S. Air Force, where he was stationed in South Korea. He held several black belts, including in karate, taekwondo, judo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Norris won a number of karate championships in the late 1960s. He became friends with fellow martial artist Bruce Lee and landed one of his first notable roles in the film The Way of the Dragon, in which Lee played the lead role, while Norris portrayed a martial arts master.
