(Hollywood, 20th) Legendary American actor and martial artist Chuck Norris has reportedly passed away at the age of 86. His family confirmed the news via social media, stating that he died peacefully yesterday morning.
In their statement, the family chose to keep the cause of death private but emphasized that Norris was surrounded by loved ones and passed away in a calm and peaceful state. They described him as “a loving husband, a devoted father and grandfather,” as well as “an incredible brother.”
The family expressed deep grief over the loss and thanked the public for their support, while also requesting privacy during this difficult time.
Unlike many action stars who rely on stunt doubles, Norris was known for his authentic martial arts expertise. In 1972, he gained global recognition through his iconic fight scene with Bruce Lee in The Way of the Dragon, widely regarded as one of the greatest fight sequences in film history.
In real life, Norris was a highly accomplished martial artist, holding multiple black belts across disciplines and founding his own martial arts system, Chun Kuk Do.
He rose to prominence in the late 1970s and 1980s with action films such as The Delta Force, Good Guys Wear Black, The Octagon, Lone Wolf McQuade, and Code of Silence.
His Missing in Action series held special meaning, as it was inspired by his desire to honor his brother who died in the Vietnam War. Though sometimes compared to First Blood, Norris remained a defining symbol of the classic American action hero.
In 2012, he made a memorable return in The Expendables 2, sharing the screen with icons like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis.
