Chuck Norris, a familiar actor and martial artist to many, passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2026. He passed at the age of 86, in Kauai, Hawaii, after a sudden and unexpected medical emergency that put him in the hospital. His family reported on March 20 that he had passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, although they kept the specific cause of death private from the public.
Just days before his passing, March 10, Norris had shared a social media video on the platform showing his material art skills, showing him being outdoors, including a clip of him throwing an impressive body shot at his fighting partner, and in the video, he says, “I don’t age. I level up.” He also commented, “I’m 86 today! Nothing like some playful action on a sunny day to make you feel young,” he added in the caption. “I’m grateful for another year, good health, and the chance to keep doing what I love. Thank you all for being the best fans in the world. Your support through the years has meant more to me than you’ll ever know,” says the caption to his last and final post.
Norris first rose to fame in the 1980s with karate movies like “A Force of One” and “An Eye for an Eye.” By the end of the decade, he was established as one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. He appeared in the TV series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” which premiered in 1993, and found lots of fame in the 21st century when the internet meme “Chuck Norris facts,” where people would spread hyperbolic facts about the actor, which spread and grew popular.
Norris appeared in many movies and shows. His top 10 films that many would recognize are:
- “The Delta Force,” 1986
- “Lone Wolf McQuade,” 1983
- “Code of Silence,” 1985
- “Delta Force 2,” 1990
- “Invasion U.S.A,” 1985
- “Missing in Action,” 1984
- “Firewalker,” 1986
- “Mission in action 2,” 1985
- “Good guys wear black,” 1978
- “The Cutter,” 2005
Norris did many great things in his time, one being that he is a well-known martial artist, actor, and author, best known as a seven-time World Professional Middleweight Karate champion, and for starring in “Walker, Texas Ranger.” He founded his own martial arts system, Chun Kuk Do, and was the first man in the western hemisphere to earn an 8th-degree black belt in Taekwondo.
He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1958 to 1962. He supported organizations including Make-A-Wish Foundation, KickStart Kids, and the Veterans Administration. He wrote the New York Times best-seller The Secret of Inner Strength and Against All Odds.
He was best known for his impressive martial arts skills. He’s a world champion, and he also held the World Professional Middleweight Karate Championship title for seven consecutive years. Achieved 10th-degree black belt in Chun Kuk Do, 8th-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and black belts in Tang Soo Do and Judo. He was also named Black Belt magazine’s “Fighter of the Year” in 1969. He retired with a 183-10-2 record. He also made his own style called Chun Kuk Do and founded the United Fighting Arts Federation.
