Chuck Norris is an Executive Producer of "Walker, Texas Ranger" (1993) as well as the star. Norris is familiar to fans worldwide as the star of action films such as The Hitman (1991), The Delta Force (1986) and Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection (1990). He also starred in Missing in Action (1984) and its sequels, Firewalker (1986) and Sidekicks (1992). Norris was born Carlos Ray in Ryan, OK. The eldest of three children, he helped his mother raise his two younger brothers in Torrance, CA, where his family moved when he was 12. Norris joined the Air Force after graduating from high school. During a stint in Korea, he began to study the Asian martial art of Tang Soo Do. After returning home, he worked for Northrop Aviation and moonlighted as a karate instructor. Two years later he was teaching full-time and running a number of martial-arts schools. His students included Steve McQueen, Priscilla Presley and the Osmonds. In 1968, he became the Professional World Middleweight Karate Champion, holding the title undefeated until he retired in 1974. He is a black belt in Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwan Do, both Korean fighting arts, and knows all forms of the martial arts. In 1969, he earned the Triple Crown for the highest number of tournament wins, and was named Fighter of the Year by "Black Belt" magazine. By the time he was 34, Norris had established 32 karate schools and had been a champion for six years. In 1996, he became the first Westerner to be awarded an eighth-degree black belt in Tae Kwan Do. Norris, who was urged to get into acting by his friend Steve McQueen, skillfully incorporates his martial-arts knowledge into his series and feature film projects, stressing action and technique over violence. He is the author of the books "The Secret of Inner Strength" and "The Secret Power Within - Zen Solutions to Real Problems". He works for many charities, including the Funds for Kids, Veterans Administration National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans, the United Way, Make-a-Wish Foundation and KickStart, a nonprofit organization he created to help battle drugs and violence in schools. He also starred in the television movie Bound by Honor (1993), broadcast on CBS. He lives on a ranch when not filming. His birthday is March 10.
Chuck Norris's fight career lasted from 1964-1974. Norris started off by losing his first three tournaments but, by 1966, he was almost unbeatable. Among the numerous titles he won were The National Karate Championships (1966), All-Star Championships (1966), World Middleweight Karate Championship (1967), All-American Karate Championship (1967), Internationals (1968), World Professional Middleweight Karate Championship (defeating Louis Delgado on 24 November 1968), All-American Championship (1968), National Tournament of Champions (1968), American Tang Soo Championship, and the North American Karate Championship. Norris compiled a fight record of 65-5 with wins over champions Joe Lewis, Skipper Mullins, Arnold Urquidez, Ronald L. Marchini, Victor Moore, Louis Delgado, and Steve Sanders. Of the five men to beat Norris, three were Allen Steen, Joe Lewis, and Norris's last career defeat to Louis Delgado in 1968. Norris retired as undefeated Professional Full-Contact Middleweight Champion in 1974.
Despite their vast political differences, he is friends with actress and comedienne Whoopi Goldberg. He was so impressed with a performance of hers that he tried, unsuccessfully, to get her a role in his film Invasion U.S.A. (1985).
Reader's Digest once noted a story of how Norris, true to his characters, prefers to find a non-violent way to solve a situation. Norris was in a bar once when a customer walked in and said to him, "You're in my seat. Move." Norris complied, and as the customer sat down, he recognized Norris. He then said, "Chuck, you could've kicked my butt if you wanted to. Instead of moving, why didn't you just attack me?" Norris' response: "What would that have accomplished?" Norris later said the experience resulted in him getting a new admirer and a new friend.
Is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under the Machado Brothers.
As a child, his idol and favorite actor was John Wayne. Indeed, their on screen personas bear much in common. Both achieved their highest level of fame playing no nonsense good guys who were incorruptible and did whatever it took to make sure that justice was served and that the bad guys got what they deserved.
He is a staunch supporter of the Republican Party.
Is an NRA member.
Is a close friend of legendary writer and director John Milius.
Enjoys playing golf and participates in many celebrity golfing events.
A website known as "Chuck Norris Facts" has been created as a parody of his career. Chuck is not offended by the website, in fact, has said he feels honored to have a website named after him and says he laughs when he reads the facts.
Participated on the TV show "The Contender" (2005) with fellow action superstar Sylvester Stallone.
Was a guest star on "The Price Is Right Million Dollar Spectacular" (2003) (mini) honoring Bob Barker's 80th birthday. Other celebrity guests included Céline Dion, Ray Romano, Charlie Sheen and Larry King.
Was the initial choice for the character of Red Forman on the Fox sitcom "That '70s Show" (1998), but was still filming "Walker, Texas Ranger" (1993), so he had to turn it down.
1004: Actively supported George W. Bush's campaign to become Governor of Texas.
8/30/01: Twins Dakota Alan and Danilee Kelly, with Gena O'Kelley, born.
1/20/01: Attended the first inauguration of President George W. Bush along with fellow longtime Republican supporters Sylvester Stallone and Robert Duvall.
Is only one of three Americans to achieve eighth-degree black belt status in tae-kwon-do.
2/14/06: Attended a Valentine's Day celebration at the White House, wearing black boots with his tuxedo. Singer Michael Feinstein capped the romantic evening by serenading the crowd, which included new Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, singer Wayne Newton and Senators Mitch McConnell and Joseph Lieberman.
2006: Campaigned for Republicans in the mid-term elections, in which Republicans wound up losing control of both houses of Congress.
Both his parents were half Irish and half Cherokee.
His credits include
# The Cutter (2005) .... John Shepherd
# Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire (2005) (TV) .... Capt. Ranger Cordell Walker
# Bells of Innocence (2003) .... Matthew
# The President's Man: A Line in the Sand (2002) (TV) .... Joshua McCord
# "Walker, Texas Ranger" .... Cordell "Cord" Walker / ... (99 episodes, 1993-2001)
... aka Walker (Australia)
- The Final Showdown: Part 1 (2001) TV Episode .... Ranger Cordell Walker
- The Final Showdown: Part 2 (2001) TV Episode .... Ranger Cordell Walker
- Blood Diamonds (2001) TV Episode .... Cordell "Cord" Walker
- Reel Rangers (2001) TV Episode .... Cordell "Cord" Walker
- Without a Sound (2001) TV Episode .... Cordell "Cord" Walker
(94 more)
# The President's Man (2000) (TV) .... Joshua McCord
# "Martial Law" .... Ranger Cordell Walker (1 episode, 2000)
- Honor Among Strangers (2000) TV Episode .... Ranger Cordell Walker
# "Sons of Thunder" .... Ranger Cordell Walker (4 episodes, 1999)
- Thunder by Your Side (1999) TV Episode .... Ranger Cordell Walker
- Lost & Found (1999) TV Episode .... Ranger Cordell Walker
- Fighting Back (1999) TV Episode .... Ranger Cordell Walker
- Moment of Truth (1999) TV Episode .... Ranger Cordell Walker
# Logan's War: Bound by Honor (1998) (TV) .... Jake Fallon
# Forest Warrior (1996) .... McKenna
# Top Dog (1995) .... Jake Wilder
# Hellbound (1994) .... Frank Shatter
# Walker Texas Ranger 3: Deadly Reunion (1994) .... Ranger Cordell Walker
# Wind in the Wire (1993) (TV)
# Sidekicks (1992) .... Chuck Norris
# The Hitman (1991) .... Cliff Garret/Danny Grogan
# Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection (1990) .... Col. Scott McCoy
... aka Delta Force 2 (USA: short title)
... aka Delta Force 2: Operation Stranglehold
# Hero and the Terror (1988) .... Danny O'Brien
# Braddock: Missing in Action III (1988) .... Col. James Braddock
# Firewalker (1986) .... Max Donigan
# The Delta Force (1986) .... Maj. Scott McCoy
... aka Mahatz Ha-Delta (Israel: Hebrew title)
# Invasion U.S.A. (1985) .... Matt Hunter
... aka Invastion U.S.A. (Australia)
# Code of Silence (1985) .... Eddie Cusack
# Missing in Action 2: The Beginning (1985) .... Colonel James Braddock
# Missing in Action (1984) .... Col. James Braddock
# Lone Wolf McQuade (1983) .... J.J. McQuade
... aka A Man Without Fear (Philippines: English title)
# Forced Vengeance (1982) .... Josh Randall
# Silent Rage (1982) .... Sheriff Dan Stevens
# An Eye for an Eye (1981) .... Sean Kane
# The Octagon (1980) .... Scott James
... aka The Man Without Mercy (Philippines: English title)
# A Force of One (1979) .... Matt Logan
# Good Guys Wear Black (1978) .... John T. Booker
# Breaker! Breaker! (1977) .... John David 'J.D.' Dawes
... aka Breaker, Breaker
... aka Cindy Jo & the Texas Turnaround
# Slaughter in San Francisco (1974) .... Chuck Slaughter/Chuck Norris
... aka Chuck Norris vs. the Karate Cop
... aka Huang mian lao hu
... aka Karate Cop
... aka Yellow Faced Tiger
# The Student Teachers (1973) .... Karate Instructor
... aka College Coeds (USA)
# Meng long guo jiang (1972) .... Colt
... aka Fury of the Dragon (Europe: English title)
... aka Maang lung goh kong (Hong Kong: Cantonese title)
... aka Return of the Dragon (USA)
... aka Revenge of the Dragon (USA: cable TV title)
... aka The Way of the Dragon (Hong Kong: English title)
# The Wrecking Crew (1969) (uncredited) .... Man in the House of 7 Joys
He's at the same rank as that other "action hero" Jean-Claude Van Dam -- watchable only if you're sick in bed under the influence of medication and nothing else is on TV.
