Chuck Norris, Action Icon and ‘Walker Texas Ranger’ Star, Dies at 86
Chuck Norris, the martial arts champion who became an iconic action star and led the hit series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” has died. He was 86.
Norris was hospitalized in Hawaii on Thursday, and his family posted a statement Friday saying that he died that morning. “While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace,” his family wrote.
“To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength. To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family,” the statement continued. “He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved. Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives.”
As an action star, Norris had a degree of credibility that most others could not match.. Not only did he appear opposite the legendary Bruce Lee in 1972 film “The Way of the Dragon” (aka “Return of the Dragon”), but he was a genuine martial arts champion who was a black belt in judo, 3rd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, 5th degree black belt in Karate, 8th degree black belt in Taekwondo, 9th degree black belt in Tang Soo Do and 10th degree black belt in Chun Kuk Do.
Norris was extremely prolific in the late 1970s and ’80s, starring in “The Delta Force” and “Missing in Action” films, “Good Guys Wear Black” (1978), “The Octagon” (1980), “Lone Wolf McQuade” (1983), “Code of Silence” (1985) and “Firewalker” (1986).
Norris joined a bevy of other action stars in the Sylvester Stallone-directed “The Expendables 2” in 2012 after an absence from the screen of seven years.
While he scored high on credibility, Norris did not leaven his work with humor the way Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis and Jackie Chan did. He was nevertheless the action star of choice for those seeking an all-American icon.
In 1984, Norris starred in “Missing in Action,” the first in a series of films centered around the rescue of American POWs purportedly still held after being captured during the Vietnam War. (Norris’ younger brother Wieland had been killed while serving in Vietnam, and the actor dedicated his “Missing in Action” films to his brother’s memory, but critics of Norris and producer Cannon Films maintained that the films borrowed too heavily from the central conceit of Stallone’s highly successful “Rambo” films.)
As Norris’ movie career began to wane, he made a timely move to television, starring in the CBS series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” inspired by his film “Lone Wolf McQuade.” The program ran from 1993-2001, and the actor reprised the role of Cordell Walker in the TV movies “Walker Texas Ranger 3: Deadly Reunion” (1994) and “Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire” (2005). (Also in 2005 Norris made the last film in which he starred, the straight-to-DVD “The Cutter.”)
In his later years, Norris was portrayed in memes documenting fictional, frequently absurd feats associated with him, such as “Chuck Norris kills 100% of germs” and “Paper beats rock, rock beats scissors, and scissors beats paper, but Chuck Norris beats all 3 at the same time.” In his later years Norris appeared in infomercials for workout equipment and became increasingly outspoken as a political conservative.
Carlos Ray Norris was born in Ryan, Okla.; his father served as a soldier in World War II. In 1958 he joined the Air Force as an Air Policeman (AP, analogous to the Army’s MPs). While serving at Osan Air Base in South Korea, Norris first acquired the nickname “Chuck” and began his training in Tang Soo Do (aka tangsudo), leading to his achievements in other martial arts and to his development of hybrid style Chun Kuk Do (“The Universal Way”). He returned to the U.S. and served as an AP at March Air Force Base in California.
After his 1962 discharge, Norris worked for aerospace company Northrop and opened a chain of karate schools; celebrity clients at the schools included Steve McQueen, Chad McQueen, Bob Barker, Priscilla Presley, Donny Osmond and Marie Osmond.
Norris made his acting debut in an uncredited role in the 1969 cult Matt Helm film “The Wrecking Crew,” starring Dean Martin. Norris met Bruce Lee at a martial arts demonstration in Long Beach, Calif., and played the nemesis of Lee’s character in 1972 movie “The Way of the Dragon” (retitled “Return of the Dragon” for U.S. distribution). In 1974 McQueen spurred Norris to begin taking acting classes at MGM.
Norris first starred in the 1977 action film “Breaker! Breaker!,” in which he played a trucker searching for his brother, who’s disappeared in a town with a judge who’s corrupt.
The actor proved his box office mettle with his subsequent films, “Good Guys Wear Black” (1978), “The Octagon” (1980), “An Eye for an Eye” (1981) and “Lone Wolf McQuade.”
Norris began starring in movies for Cannon Films in 1984. Over the next four years, he became Cannon’s most prominent star, appearing in eight films, including the three “Missing in Action” films; “Code of Silence” — qualitatively, one of his best films — the two “Delta Force” films and “Firewalker.” Norris’ brother Aaron Norris produced several of these films, and also became a producer on “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
A longtime supporter of conservative politicians, he wrote several books with Christian and patriotic themes.
Norris was twice married, the first time to Dianne Holechek from 1958 until their divorce in 1988.
He is survived by second wife Gena O’Kelley, whom he married in 1998; two sons, Eric and Mike, daughters Dakota, Danilee and Dina; and a number of grandchildren.
4 Oline. Good start now draft 2 more in our top 3 picks
That might be a bit aggressive. We will go LT with one of our 1st rounders. The other 1st rounder and the 2nd rounder might go a different direction, for sure a receiver and maybe a true free safety, maybe double up on receiver. I could see where we won't draft another OL player until the 3rd or 4th round. Pretty solid rounds when you consider we will probably go with a center/guard type player.
Naturally it all depends on who is sitting there when we get on the clock.
The Cleveland Browns are proposing a rule change that would allow NFL teams to trade draft picks five years into the future instead of three.
The league announced Wednesday that only two teams submitted proposals that will be considered by owners at the league meetings later this month, with the other coming from the Pittsburgh Steelers about contacting players during the free agent negotiating period.
NFL executive Troy Vincent said last month at the scouting combine that no team had submitted a proposal to ban the tush push after Green Bay's proposed rule change was narrowly defeated last year. There were no other on-field rule changes proposed by teams this year, although the competition committee will announce next week its proposed rule changes.
Any changes need to be approved by at least 24 of the 32 teams.
The most significant proposal came from the Browns, who are trying to extend how far into the future teams can trade draft picks. Current rules allow teams to trade draft picks up to three years into the future, compared to a seven-year window in the NBA.
A new crop of general managers has led to more trades in recent years, and this rule change would make that easier in the future. There have already been six first-round picks from this year's draft that have been traded with the latest coming earlier this week when Denver sent its first-rounder to Miami for receiver Jaylen Waddle.
The Browns argued that the changes would lead to a more active trade market and greater roster flexibility.
The NFL allowed teams this year on a trial basis to conduct up to five phone or video calls directly with players on other teams during the two-day free agent negotiating period before the start of the league year. Teams previously had been able to contact only agents during that time.
The Steelers are asking for that rule to be permanent, as well as allowing teams to make travel arrangements before the start of the league year with players who have agreed to terms for new contracts during the negotiating period.
I don’t think anyone has mentioned it but our signing of DE Epensea from the Bills is pretty good for us. Solid player to put opposite Myles.
Just to list what has been done so far: Key 2026 Browns Signings & Moves
Zion Johnson (G): Agreed to a 3-year, $49.5 million deal, adding a veteran presence to the interior line News 5 Cleveland WEWS.
Elgton Jenkins (C/G): Signed a 2-year, $24 million deal after departing from the Packers, strengthening the center position ESPN
Quincy Williams (LB): Signed a 2-year deal, roughly worth $13 million, to bolster the linebacker group, via ESPN.
A.J. Epenesa (DE): Signed a 1-year, $5 million contract to provide pass-rush depth 247Sports.
Tytus Howard (OT): Acquired from the Houston Texans for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick to solidify the tackle position, with a 3-year extension signed to manage cap space Akron Beacon Journal.
Kalia Davis (DT): Added to the defensive tackle rotation on a 1-year deal, per Akron Beacon Journal.
Jack Stoll (TE): Signed to a one-year deal to provide blocking depth following David Njoku's departure, noted by ESPN Singapore.
Re-signings and Extensions
Julian Okwara (DE): Re-signed to continue contributing to the defensive line rotation.
Teven Jenkins (G): Re-signed for the 2026 season, adding further offensive line depth.
Tre Avery (CB) & D'Angelo Ross (CB): Re-signed to boost the secondary ESPN
I'm not sure why the numbers cut off there, that's weird.
Epenesa was a little bit of a disappointment according to my Buffalo friends. However I think his size will allow him to kick inside on some passing downs. I never thought he has an array of moves as an edge and Buffalo over drafted him by a round. I think in our system maybe he and Alex Wright are inside and Myles and Isiah on the outside. AJ is legit 6'6 270 and Alex is right about the same. Tall guys shooting gaps while Myles wreaks havoc from wherever we line him up. Very good low profile signing in my opinion.
Hegseth on $200B Iran war funding request: ‘It takes money to kill bad guys’
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the Pentagon’s $200 billion funding request, which was sent to the White House for the ongoing war against Iran, saying it “takes money to kill bad guys.”
“I think that number could move. Obviously, it takes money to kill bad guys,” Hegseth told reporters during a Thursday morning briefing at the Pentagon.
“So we’re going back to Congress and our folks there to ensure that we’re properly funded for what’s been done, for what we may have to do in the future, ensure that our ammunition ––everything’s refilled, and not just refilled, but above and beyond,” Hegseth said when asked about the request from the Pentagon, which was first reported by The Washington Post.
It is unclear how much the White House will ultimately ask Congress to approve in the supplemental proposal, prospects of which have drawn opposition from Democrats in both chambers, while Republicans have indicated support for the upcoming funding request.
“At the height of combat the Iraq War cost around $140 Billion per year. If the Pentagon is asking for $200 billion they are asking for a long war. The answer is a simple no,” Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), an Iraq War veteran, said Thursday night on social platform X.
The ask from the Pentagon comes as the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran is well into its third week, with both militaries continuing to hit thousands of Iranian targets, including ballistic missile launch sites and drone manufacturing posts.
Hegseth said Thursday morning that all 11 of the Iranian submarines have been destroyed and that the U.S. military damaged or sunk more than 120 of Iran’s ships.
The cost of the war has spiked, with Pentagon officials telling lawmakers last week the price tag for the conflict came out to more than $11.3 billion in the first six days of action, The Hill previously reported.
In early January, President Trump called on Congress to increase the U.S. defense budget from $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion, saying it would allow the country to build its “dream military.”
Hegseth praised Trump on Thursday for supporting the U.S. military and chastised his predecessor, former President Biden, arguing the previous administration depleted U.S. stockpiles by transferring some arms to Ukraine in its defensive war against Russia.
“Which is when every time we reach back and look at any sort of a challenge we have, it goes back to well, send it to Ukraine,” Hegseth said. “Ultimately, we think these munitions are better spent in our own interests at this point.”
We have a GM, a scouting staff and coaches. We should be able to form solid opinions of a potential draft pick ourselves. However, if we can't reach a conclusion on a player or players there are myriads of free analysis and opinions out there from all these talking heads and former coaches and players. I agree, and I've posted in the past, that it might be a good idea to hire someone to help with the draft for a few months especially at the QB position but let's face it there are no shortages of information out there on all these players.
I would not even look at any of the talking heads evaluations. They have jobs to do to meet deadlines, etc. I am sure they are not evaluating every player. Most of what we see is regurgitated from each other to form "consensus". Then as we get closer to the draft, they start to get a sense of where players are being put as they hear from their sources. We will get a better idea of where everyone falls, especially the WRs about two weeks out from the draft. There is a lot of BS being sent out right now because teams would rather keep everyone off their scent as to which way they are truly thinking. That's why I am pretty sure the Browns are not thinking Monroe Freeling at #6. There is no way that information is out there to let others get their ducks in a row to possibly draft him before them at #6 if that were their true plans.
The scouts are the most important people in the building right now. They are pointing everyone in the right direction, then at the end of the day Berry needs to hear the one shouting the loudest or take into account his own scouting experience and look at each individual that is thrown his way. If someone gives a valid reason to disregard a candidate, I would listen to that, but his job depends on him picking the right players. In reality, it is more important for him to draft pro bowlers or players capable of getting accolades than it is to win games. His job isn't to win, it's to provide the best possible players. If he thinks someone like Caleb Downs will be the most likely to win DRoY, I could see him drafting him at #6 regardless of the needs of the team. He has already rebuilt the O-line, he isn't beholden to over draft a LT just because it is the biggest need outside of QB.
Not to distract from Hartline's successes...but I wonder how much involvement he had in recruiting these guys who have turned out to be very good+ My guess is quite a lot of invovlement and he knows what he sees when recruiting these WRs...then he makes the good even better.
AB should hire him as a draft consultant for a couple months.
He has his hands full. He is now the HC at USF. I'm anxious to see if we get any first or second round WRs in the future drafts. I'm sure it might take a couple years to shift that knowledge, but we should see in the near future how much he really was the catalyst. I'm sure he will be able to recruit off of his success at tOSU. Hopefully this will be a stepping stone for him for a better job in either the Pros or a better college gig.
We have a GM, a scouting staff and coaches. We should be able to form solid opinions of a potential draft pick ourselves. However, if we can't reach a conclusion on a player or players there are myriads of free analysis and opinions out there from all these talking heads and former coaches and players. I agree, and I've posted in the past, that it might be a good idea to hire someone to help with the draft for a few months especially at the QB position but let's face it there are no shortages of information out there on all these players.
Not to distract from Hartline's successes...but I wonder how much involvement he had in recruiting these guys who have turned out to be very good+ My guess is quite a lot of invovlement and he knows what he sees when recruiting these WRs...then he makes the good even better.
AB should hire him as a draft consultant for a couple months.
I've felt that way for years...not necessarily Hartline. Just some outside eyes and ears for a month or two. Someone who knows they are a contracted worker who doesn't care if they fall in with the company line or not. It could be some ex coach or GM, maybe one of the draft gurus.
Not to distract from Hartline's successes...but I wonder how much involvement he had in recruiting these guys who have turned out to be very good+ My guess is quite a lot of invovlement and he knows what he sees when recruiting these WRs...then he makes the good even better.
AB should hire him as a draft consultant for a couple months.
Who is the equivalent to Bill Callahan as a WR coach?
Brian Hartline
LOL, touché
I will agree on this one... might be our last chance to get one his protégé's. If Sanders has any kind of improvement, which he should with an entire off season to prepare, we won't be in position to draft Jeremiah Smith in 2027. Brandon Inniss might become the last in line from Hartline.. I wouldn't be shocked if he went into the portal next off season as a graduate, if he doesn't have a huge year and come out in the draft in 2027. Do you know what his eligibility status is?
