Chuck Norris: Legendary Martial Artist & Actor Passes Away

0:00It's March 20th. Let's get into entertainment and celebrity news. Chuck Norris, the legendary action star and martial arts champion, has passed away at 86. His family announced the sudden death on Thursday, saying he was surrounded by loved ones and at peace when it happened. They asked for privacy on the details. Earlier in life, Norris grew up poor in Oklahoma before moving to California as a kid. He joined the Air Force in 1958, where he discovered martial arts during time in Korea. He became a six-time, undefeated world, mid-away karate champion, and created his own style, called, Tune Cooke Doe. Norris built a chain of martial art studios that drew celebrity students like Steve McQueen, who pushed him toward acting. He starred in films opposite Bruce Lee and led hits like Walker Texas Ranger for nine seasons, earning him honorary Texas Ranger status. Norris adored his tough guy image, which exploded into viral internet memes around 2004.

1:00Norris leaned into the fun, writing books on facts, fitness, and his beliefs, while supporting kids' programs and dipping into politics. His legacy lives on through thousands of black belts trained in his system, blockbuster roles, and those unbeatable jokes that captured his, larger than life spirit.