Chuck Norris, the iconic action and Hollywood star, has died. He was 86 years old.
His family confirmed the news on the morning of Friday, March 20.
“It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning,” they said in a statement on Instagram. “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 statement concluded, “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.”
TMZ reported that the actor was hospitalized in Hawaii earlier this week.
Norris was born in Ryan, Oklahoma, on March 10, 1940. As a martial artist, he competed in sports and middleweight titles, which is where he met Bruce Lee. While he got his first credited role in 1970, Norris was cast in Lee’s 1972 film Way of the Dragon, which launched him into the spotlight.
His most iconic roles over the 60+ years of his career include the 90s drama seriesWalker, Texas Ranger that ran for eight seasons, A Force of One, cameo in films like Dodgeball and Expendables 2, and An Eye for an Eye.
While his acting career slowed down in the 2000s, images of Norris were meme-fied and still persist online today.
