R.I.P. Chuck Norris

[monitor_ep]

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 saying he had died Friday morning:

It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning. While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.

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.

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.

While our hearts are broken, we are deeply grateful for the life he lived and for the unforgettable moments we were blessed to share with him. The love and support he received from fans around the world meant so much to him, and our family is truly thankful for it. To him, you were not just fans, you were his friends.

We know many of you had heard about his recent hospitalization, and we are truly grateful for the prayers and support you sent his way.

As we grieve this loss, we kindly ask for privacy for our family during this time.
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[shaunaconda]

That’s too bad! Lot’s of great work from him. My favorite scene is from “Way of the Dragon”, the fight scene with Bruce Lee…RIP!

[great_chandel]

I will always have a small place in my heart for him. Chuck was one of the very first autographs I ever got through the mail many moons ago. I sent him a magazine with him on the cover (Cigar Aficionado). Inscribed to me, he wrote, "It was nice hearing from you. All the Best." -- Chuck Norris

For that, I will always be a fan...............

P.S. "Enter the Dragon" is a classic film!

[TrekStar]

This is a tough one for me, since I met Chuck Norris back in 1988 at the Harvard bookstore in Boston. He autographed his book for me, shook my hand and thanked me for coming to see him and buying his book. I remember standing outside the store in a light rain and a line down the street and around the corner, when you went inside he was sitting to the left at a roped off table.

I remember hearing him saying to the staff, because he showed up late and it was raining out, he wasn’t going to leave until everyone waiting in the rain got to meet him. This guy was definitely a class act, he spoke to you like you were already his friend, great guy.

[Dan2Dan]

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.

To me, Chuck Norris was: (1) that fight with Bruce Lee in the ruins of the Roman Colosseum, back when he had back, chest, and arm hair, and when he appeared to be the dominant one of the legendary pair, (2) the incredibly risible "Chuck Norris Karate Kommandoes" TV cartoon from 40 years ago, and its related toy line, and (3) about 30 years ago, when he was the celebrity guest at a Republican fundraiser, and my dad, who had never heard of "Walker, Texas Ranger," declined the 'opportunity' to have a photo taken with him for $500.

[Dannyc]

"1" & "2" for me for sure, have some of the ninjas from the Kenner line on display here (very easy line to collect, even MIB).
I would add the movies...aware of him as an action star...though I've only seen Firewalker (which I enjoyed). And his movies from the late 70s & early 80s had some of the coolest titles..."good guys wear black" "octagon".
The memes weren't my thing but kind of cute. I liked seeing the story come out that he was a big fan of them.

[Brown Bear]

Chuck Norris was my idol, my hero, for forty years. I was introduced to him when I was ten and he's the reason I joined martial arts, got my black belt at 13 and loved the martial arts my whole life. His posters hung on my wall. His name seemed to pop up in conversation at least once a week with me. I loved the guy. He was a great role model, a great family man, a man of God and a genuine bad *** too. I will continue to look up to the man. Friday was a sad day for me.

[Dan2Dan]

Because I mentioned to my parents on the phone that Chuck Norris had died, they just sent me three newspaper obituaries for him (as they still subscribe to several print newspapers).

From those obits, I just learned that his real first name was 'Carlos' and that he was of both Cherokee and Irish descent. I'm also of Irish descent, and I don't think I know of any other famous Irish martial artists -ever. I also think it's really cool that his public persona was of a certain, very old-school American stereotype of 'the cowboy tough guy of few words,' sort of like John Wayne, while in his DNA he was part Cherokee and his legal name was Carlos. That's a very uniquely American backstory that I'm here to call 'awesome.'

I also thought it was cool that, despite Chuck Norris having made his conservative political and cultural views openly public for many years, the New York Times nonetheless printed a very lengthy obituary about him that was positive, and, I thought, captured his cultural impact well and fairly. (Probably also for the best that there was no mention of Karate Kommandoes!)