CHUCK NORRIS TRIBUTE 1940-2026

We learn today via social media of the passing of a huge action icon.

CHUCK NORRIS was part of a stunt family. Not just in his films but in his actual family. AARON, and ERIC were both stuntmen who moved into the world of stunt coordination and directing.

A Norris production was always a fun ride according g to those who worked with him. He was alway there to take advice, give it with his huge martial arts experience and be prepared to stand back and let the stunt double take over when it was deemed appropriate, not only for the actor but also for the film.

He will be sorely missed.....thank you for everything you did sir.

Transcript

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Carlos Rey Chuck Norris was an American martial artist, actor, and author. He held black belts in karate, taekwondo, tang Sung Do, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Judo. After serving in the United States Air Force, he won numerous martial arts championships and later founded his own discipline, Chun Kutyo. Norris began working in Hollywood as a martial arts instructor for celebrities before making his debut in minor roles in the Wrecking Crew in 1968. Friend and fellow martial artist Bruce Lee invited him to play one of the main villains in The Way of the Dragon in 1972. While Norris continued acting, friend and student Steve McQueen suggested he take it seriously. Norris took the starring role in the action film Breaker Breaker in 1977, which turned a healthy profit. His second lead, Good Guys Wear Black, in 1978, became a hit, and he soon became a popular action film star. Norris went on to headline a series of commercially successful independent action and martial arts films, including A Force of One in 1979, The Octagon in 1980, and An Eye for an Eye in 1981, which elevated him to the international fame. He later starred in studio productions such as Silent Rage in 1982, Forced Vengeance in the same year, and Lone Wolf McQuaid the following year of 1983. His success led Canon Films to sign him to a multi-picture deal, beginning with Missing in Action in 1984, which launched a trilogy and cemented his status as the company's leading star throughout the 1980s. His work during this period included Invasion USA in 1986, The Delta Force the same year, and also Fire Walker. Outside of Canon, he was also starring in Code of Silence in 1985, which was regarded as one of his strongest films. In the 90s, Norris played the title role in the long-running CBS series Walker, Texas Ranger from 1993 to 2001. He continued to appear in action films until 2006, and his major film role was in The Expendables 2 in 2012. Beyond acting, Norris became a best-selling author of books on martial arts, exercise, philosophy, conservative politics, Christian Western fiction, self-help, and biography. And he wrote a regular column for WorldNet Daily. He appeared in numerous commercials, most notably as a longtime spokesperson for The Total Gym. In 2005, Norris became the subject of the Chuck Norris Facts, internet meme, which humorously exaggerated his toughness and abilities. Although he didn't create the meme, he endorsed several products that incorporated it. And the phenomena inspired multiple books, two video games, and several talk show appearances. Aaron Norris is the brother of Chuck and is a very well-respected stuntman, stun coordinator, and second unit director, having moved on to first unit directing early in his career. He directed a number of his brothers' movies, including Braddock Missing in Action 3, Delta Force II, The Columbian Connection, and The Hitman. Eric Norris is another very well-respected stunt man and stunt coordinator, starting his career on Invasion USA in 1986. He went on to start his coordinating career with episodes of Walker, Texas Ranger, in 1993, and being in charge of the action on over 90 episodes. He later went on to coordinate over 50 episodes of Prison Break from 2006 to 2009, 40 episodes of Sons of Anarchy between 2012 and 2014, over 150 episodes of Hawaii 5-0 and Magnum between 2017 and 2024. As you can see, the Norris family are a huge part of the action industry. The loss of Chuck is a huge blow to the cinematic world and to the stunt community. He was a giant in the business of action. His memes became legendary, many of which he took to heart and happily went along with. Chuck Norris once killed two stones with one bird. When Chuck Norris does push-ups, he doesn't push himself up. He pushes the earth down. As funny as these are, there is a hint of truth in all of them. Back in the 1930s and 40s, a man called John Wayne arrived in cinema and changed it forever. When he died, he was awarded a commemorative coin, which simply read John Wayne, American. Chuck Norris held similar status to people now in their 40s and 50s. You had your James Bond and Indiana Jones and as many superheroes as you could throw a stick at, but there was only ever one, Chuck Norris.