Chuck Norris

Chuck Norris (born Carlos Ray Norris) was an American martial artist and actor. Norris was the eldest of three brothers and spent his childhood in Oklahoma before living briefly in Kansas and later settling in Torrance, California, with his family. He first developed an interest in martial arts after enlisting in the United States Air Force and being stationed in South Korea, where he learned Tang Soo Do before his return to the U.S.

Following his military discharge in 1962, Norris opened his own martial arts studio in California. He began competing in karate tournaments, eventually meeting and befriending fellow martial artist Bruce Lee. In 1986, he made his first onscreen appearance in The Wrecking Crew before establishing himself as a mainstream presence with roles in The Way of the Dragon (1972) and The Student Teacher (1973).

Norris went on to take acting classes and landed his first big role in 1977’s Breaker! Breaker!. He later starred in movies including Lone Wolf McQuade (1983), Invasion U.S.A. (1985), Hellbound (1994) and The Expendables 2 (2012). On television, he appeared on shows such as Sons of Thunder and Walker, Texas Ranger. Throughout his career, he also authored multiple books, including his autobiography, Against All Odds: My Story (2004).

Norris was previously wed to Dianne Kay Holechek, and the pair welcomed sons Mike (born in 1962) and Eric (born in 1965) before their divorce in 1989. He moved on with Gena O’Kelley, and the twosome tied the knot in 1998. They welcomed twins Dakota and Danilee in 2001.

Norris died on March 19, 2026, at age 86.