Martial Arts Legend Chuck Norris Dies at 86
Mixed martial arts grandmaster and actor Carlos Ray Norris, aka Chuck Norris, has died at the age of 86. His family confirmed this heartbreaking news on his social media accounts earlier today.
As per media outlet TMZ, Norris was hospitalized in Hawaii due to a medical emergency on Thursday on the island of Kauai.
Although the nature of the emergency remained unknown, the outlet reported that Norris was in “good spirits.” However, earlier today, his family informed the world about his passing in a statement that reads:
“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. Thank you for loving him with us. With love, The Norris Family.”
Check out the statement below:
Chuck Norris’ cause of death remains unknown
Chuck Norris’ family has not disclosed the cause of his death yet. They have, in the official statement, described his death as “sudden.” However, many netizens have been speculating that it was due to a heart attack.
The Martial Arts History Museum’s Hall of Famer had celebrated his birthday just a week ago and had also uploaded a sparring clip on Instagram, in which he looked healthy and in good spirits. In the same clip, he had joked and said, “I don’t age. I level up.”
Norris, a master of many trades, had held black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, karate, and Taekwondo, among a few other disciplines. He had also founded his own discipline, Chun Kuk Do, now known as the Chuck Norris System.
In 1972, his friend Bruce Lee invited him to play one of the main villains in the film The Way of the Dragon. He became a household name after starring in the aforementioned film, and in the years to come, Norris was a part of several movies and shows like Agent Recon, The Expendables 2, Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection, The Octagon, Walker, Texas Ranger, among several others.
Chuck Norris is survived by his wife, Gena O’Kelley, and 5 children. We at LowKickMMA extend our deepest condolences to his family during this difficult time.
