The Cannon Group
The family of Chuck Norris announced that the actor and martial artist had passed away on the morning of Friday, March 20. Norris, best known for his starring role in the series Walker, Texas Ranger, was 86 years old.
After reports of a hospitalization earlier in the week, Chuck Norris’ family took to his official Instagram account to announce that his “sudden passing” happened on the morning of Thursday, March 19 and that he was surrounded by loved ones.
Norris’ passing is notable because the action star gave birth to an entire genre of jokes based on how tough he is, such as: “When Chuck Norris lifts weights, the weights get in shape,” or “In the Beginning, there was nothing. Then Chuck Norris roundhouse kicked nothing and told it to get a job.”
These complimentary jokes, in fact, became so ubiquitous in pop culture that most people know who Chuck Norris is without ever having seen one of his movies.
Chuck Norris’ family has released a statement on his “sudden passing” at the age of 86-years-old on Thursday, March 19; Cause of Death not yet disclosed
You can see and read the full statement from Norris’ family below. At this time, Norris’ cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
“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,” the statement begins.
“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. Thank you for loving him with us.”
Norris was best known for his roles as Braddock — the role that made him a star — in the Missing in Action trilogy, J.J. McQuade in Lone Wolf McQuade, Colon James Braddock in Code of Silence, Cordell Walker in Walker, Texas Ranger (his most widely-recognized role), a supporting roles in Bruce Lee’s Way of the Dragon, and a handful of Delta Force films.
Our thoughts are with Norris’ friends, family, fans, and various loved ones during this difficult time.