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It didn’t tak long for a journalist to try and cancel Chuck Norris after his death.
On Friday, Norris’ family announced that the famous action star had passed away suddenly at the age of 86.
“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,” the family wrote. “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.”
After Norris’ death, Variety writer William Earl argued that action star shouldn’t be celebrated because he’s uncomfortable with Norris’ movies now.
Via Variety
Was Norris a brilliant athlete and top-shelf star? Yes. But there’s no denying that his roles were part of a body of work used to show American strength, might and the pernicious attraction of taking the law into one’s own hands — something that seems less fun in a year in which our country is funneling money into bombing Iran and ICE agents are acting like one-man militias.
Given our nation’s divisions in morality, information literacy and overall sense of reality, it’s easier to see Norris’ characters as justification for a fringe conspiracy movement rather than a moral standing.
When a star is the poster boy for American exceptionalism and might, at what point does his legacy transition from escapism to dangerous propaganda?
Fans on social media blasted Earl for his hot take.
For 86 years, nobody had a bad thing to say about Chuck Norris.
If you have something negative to say about him now, GFY. https://t.co/tRQ0Vpk8PS
— Danny Able (@DK_Able) March 20, 2026
https://t.co/WDr9ptmBuQ pic.twitter.com/mtJpENrRhx
— Chris Freiman (@cafreiman) March 20, 2026