Chuck Norris: Martial Arts Legend Passes Away

0:00This is Durham News Today, every story, every city, every day. Chuck Norris, the legendary martial arts champion and action star, best known for Walker Texas Ranger, has passed away at 86. His family called it a sudden passing, saying he was surrounded by loved ones and at peace when it happened Thursday. He was born Carlos Ray Norris on March 10, 1940, in Ryan, Oklahoma, and grew up poor before moving to California. After high school, he joined the Air Force in 1958 and discovered martial arts like judo and tang sudo while stationed in Korea. Norris became a six-time undefeated world professional middleweight karate champion and created his own style, called Chun Quook Do. By the 1960s, he ran a chain of martial art studios with celebrity students like Steve McQueen, who pushed him into acting. Norris debuted in films fighting Dean Martin and later Bruce Lee in Return of the Dragon. He starred in over 20 action movies like Missing In Action and The Delta Force, then

1:02led Walker Texas Ranger for nine seasons, earning honorary Texas Ranger status. His tough guy image exploded into internet memes around 2004, with fans joking about his superhuman feats which he embraced in books and even political ads. Norris wrote on martial arts, fitness, and more while supporting kids programs. Norris leased five children in a lasting mark as the ultimate icon of strength, from Dojo's to Hollywood screens.