Carlos Ray "Chuck"Norris (born March 10, 1940) is an American martial artist and actor. He is ablack belt inKarate,Taekwondo,Tang Soo Do,Brazilian jiu jitsu, andjudo.[1] After serving in theUnited States Air Force, Norris won many martial arts championships and later founded his own discipline, Chun Kuk Do. Shortly after, inHollywood, Norris trained celebrities in martial arts. Norris went on to appear in a minor role inThe Wrecking Crew (1968). Friend and fellow martial artistBruce Lee invited him to play one of the main villains inThe Way of the Dragon (1972). While Norris continued acting, friend and studentSteve McQueen suggested he take it seriously. Norris took the starring role in the action filmBreaker! Breaker! (1977), which turned a profit. His second lead,Good Guys Wear Black (1978), became a hit, and he soon became a popular action film star.
Norris went on to star in a streak of bankable independently made action and martial arts films, withA Force of One (1979),The Octagon (1980), andAn Eye for an Eye (1981). This made Norris an international celebrity. He went on to make studio films likeSilent Rage (1982) withColumbia,Forced Vengeance (1982) withMGM, andLone Wolf McQuade (1983) withOrion. This ledCannon Films to sign Norris into a multiple film deal, starting withMissing in Action (1984), which proved to be very successful and launched a trilogy. Norris started to work almost exclusively on high-profile action films with Cannon, becoming its leading star during the 1980s. Films with Cannon includeInvasion U.S.A (1985),The Delta Force (1986), andFirewalker (1986), among others. Apart from the Cannon films, Norris madeCode of Silence (1985), which was received as one of his best films. In the 1990s, he played the title role in the long-runningCBS television seriesWalker, Texas Ranger from 1993 to 2001. Until 2006, Norris continued taking lead roles in action movies. His last appearance in a major film release was inThe Expendables 2 (2012).
Throughout his film and TV career, Norris diversified from his regular endeavors. As a writer he is a columnist for theWorldNetDaily and is aNew York Times bestselling author, having penned books onmartial arts,exercise,philosophy, hisconservativepolitics,Christianwestern fiction,self-help, andbiographies. Norris also appeared in several commercials endorsing several products, most notably being one of the main spokespersons for theTotal Gym infomercials. In 2005, Norris found new fame on the Internet whenChuck Norris facts became anInternet meme documenting humorous, fictional, and often absurd feats of strength and endurance. Although Norris himself did not produce the "facts", he was hired to endorse many products that incorporated Chuck Norris facts in advertising. The phenomenon resulted in six books, some of themNew York Times bestsellers, as well as two video games, and several appearances on talk shows, such asLate Night with Conan O'Brien, in which he read the facts or participated in sketches.
Early life
Norris was born inRyan, Oklahoma, on March 10, 1940,[2] to Wilma Lee (née Scarberry, 1921–2024) and Ray Dee Norris (1918–1971), who was aWorld War IIArmy soldier,[3] mechanic, bus driver, and a truck driver. His mother was ofIrish descent and his father ofGerman,British, and distantCherokee descent.[3][4] Norris was named after Carlos Berry, his father'sminister.[3] He was the oldest of three brothers, the younger two being Wieland (1943–1970) andAaron. Wieland Norris informed his eldest sibling he would not reach his 27th birthday; this prediction came true in 1970 when he was killed in the Vietnam War. When Norris was 16 years old, his parents divorced,[5] and he later relocated toPrairie Village, Kansas and then toTorrance, California with his mother and brothers.[4]
Norris has described his childhood as downbeat. He was nonathletic, shy, and scholastically mediocre.[6] His father, Ray, worked intermittently as an automobile mechanic, and went on drinking binges that lasted for months at a time. Embarrassed by his father's behavior and the family's financial plight, Norris developed a debilitating introversion that lasted for his entire childhood.[7]
Career
United States Air Force and martial arts breakthrough (1958–1969)
Norris joined theUnited States Air Force as anAir Policeman (AP) in 1958 and was sent toOsan Air Base, South Korea. It was there that Norris acquired the nickname "Chuck" and began his training inTang Soo Do (tangsudo).[8] When he returned to the United States, he continued to serve as an AP atMarch Air Force Base in California.[9][10] He was discharged from the Air Force in August 1962 with the rank ofAirman first class. Following his military service, Norris applied to be a police officer inTorrance, California, opening up a martial arts studio while on the waiting list.[11] He also began participating in martial arts competitions. Norris was defeated in his first two tournaments, dropping decisions toJoe Lewis andAllen Steen, and lost three rounds at theInternational Karate Championships to Tony Tulleners. However, he improved enough that he ended up scoring victories over the likes ofVic Moore, eventually winning the 1967 tournament of karate as he defeated seven opponents until finally triumphing over his ultimate fight withSkipper Mullins.[12] On June 24 of that year, Norris was declared champion at theS. Henry Cho's All-American Karate Championship at theMadison Square Garden, taking the title from Julio LaSalle and defeating Joe Lewis.[13][14][15] During this time, Norris worked for theNorthrop Corporation and opened a chain ofkarate schools; his official website listsSteve andChad McQueen,Bob Barker,Priscilla Presley, andDonny andMarie Osmond as celebrity clients.[16]
Norris suffered the tenth and final loss of his career in early 1968, losing an upset decision to Louis Delgado. On November 24, he avenged his defeat to Delgado and by doing so won the Professional Middleweight Karate champion title, which he then held for six consecutive years.[5] On April 1, Norris successfully defended his All-American Karate Championship title, in a round-robin tournament, at the Karate tournament of champions of North America.[17] Again that year, Norris won for the second time the All-American Karate Championship. It was the last time Norris participated and retired undefeated.[18][19] While competing, Norris metBruce Lee, who at the time was known for the TV seriesThe Green Hornet. They developed a friendship, as well as a training and working relationship.
In 1969, during the first weekend of August, Norris defended his title as world champion at the International Karate Championship. The competition included champions from most of the fifty states as well as half a dozen from abroad who joined for the preliminaries.[20] Norris retained his title[21] and won Karate's triple crown for the most tournament wins of the year, he also got the Fighter of the Year award byBlack Belt magazine. Around this time, Norris made his acting debut in theMatt Helm spy spoofThe Wrecking Crew.
Early roles and breakthrough (1970–1978)
Norris in 1976
In 1972, Norris acted asBruce Lee's nemesis in the widely acclaimed martial arts movieWay of the Dragon (titledReturn of the Dragon in its U.S. distribution). The film grossed overHK$5.3 million at the Hong Kong box office, beating previous records set by Lee's own films,The Big Boss andFist of Fury, making it the highest-grossing film of 1972 in Hong Kong.The Way of the Dragon went on to gross an estimated US$130 million worldwide.[22] The film is credited with launching him toward stardom.
In 1974, actorSteve McQueen, who was his martial art student and friend at the time, saw his potential and encouraged him to begin acting classes atMGM. That same year, he played the supporting role of the main antagonist inLo Wei'sYellow Faced Tiger.[25] Norris plays a powerful drug king in San Francisco, where he dominates the criminal world including the police department. He is eventually challenged by a young police officer who stands up to corruption.[26] The film played theatrically in the United States in 1981 asSlaughter in San Francisco.[27] It was noticed that it was an older, low-budget film announcing Norris as the lead. The film played as a double-bill to other action and genre film. It was described as a low-budget martial arts actioner taking advantage of Norris's fame.[28][29][30]
In 1975, Norris wrote his first bookWinning Tournament Karate on the practical study of competition training for any rank. It covers all phases of executing speedy attacks, conditioning, fighting form drills, and one-step sparring techniques.[31]
Norris's first starring role was 1977'sBreaker! Breaker![32] He chose it after turning down offers to do several martial-arts films. Norris decided that he wanted to do films that had a story and where the action would take place when it is emotionally right. The low-budget film turned out to be very successful.[33]
In 1978, Norris starred inGood Guys Wear Black.[34] He considers it to be his first significant lead role. No studio wanted to release it, so Norris and his producersfour-walled it, renting the theaters and taking whatever money came in.[35] The film did very well; shot on a $1 million budget, it made over $18 million at the box office.[36] Following years ofkung fu film imports fromHong Kong action cinema during the 1970s, most notably Bruce Lee films followed byBruceploitation flicks,Good Guys Wear Black launched Norris as the first successful homegrown American martial-arts star, having previously been best known as a villain in Lee'sWay of the Dragon.Good Guys Wear Black distinguished itself from earlier martial-arts films by its distinctly American setting, characters, themes, and politics, a formula that Norris continued to develop with his later films.[37]
Action film star (1979–1983)
In 1979, Norris starred inA Force of One, where he played Matt Logan, a world karate champion who assists the police in their investigation.[38] The film was developed while touring forGood Guys Wear Black. Again no studio wanted to pick it up, but it out-grossed the previous film by making $20 million at the box office.[35][39]
In 1980, he releasedThe Octagon, where his character must stop a group of terrorists trained in the ninja style.[40] Unlike his previous films, this time the studios were interested. American Cinema Releasing distributed it and it made almost $19 million at the box office.[35][41]
In 1982, he had the lead in the action horror filmSilent Rage.[43] It was his first film released by a major studio,Columbia Pictures.[44] Norris plays a sheriff who must stop a psychopath on a rampage. Shortly afterwardMGM gave him a three-movie deal and that same year, they releasedForced Vengeance (1982). Norris was unhappy with the direction they wanted to take with him, hence the contract was canceled.[35]
In 1983, Norris madeLone Wolf McQuade withOrion Pictures and Carver directing.[45] He plays a reckless but brave Texas Ranger who defeats an arms dealer played byDavid Carradine. The film was a worldwide hit and had a positive reception from movie critics, often being compared toSergio Leone's stylishSpaghetti Westerns.[citation needed] The film became the inspiration for Norris's future hit TV showWalker, Texas Ranger. Film criticRoger Ebert gave the film a 3.5 star rating, calling the character of J.J. McQuade worthy of a film series and predicting the character would be a future classic, and it would be the first movie where Norris would wear his trademark beard.[46][47][48] The same year, he also published an exercise calledToughen Up! the Chuck Norris Fitness System.[49] Also in 1983,Xonox produced the video gameChuck Norris Superkicks for theCommodore 64,VIC-20,Atari 2600, andColecovision. The game combines two types of gameplay: moving through a map, and fighting against enemies. The player takes control of Norris who has to liberate a hostage. It was later sold asKung Fu Superkicks when the license for the use of the Chuck Norris name expired.
Mainstream success (1984–1988)
In 1984, Norris starred inJoseph Zito'sMissing in Action.[50] It's the first of a series ofPOW rescue fantasies, where he plays Colonel James Braddock. Produced byMenahem Golan andYoram Globus and released under theirCannon Films banner, with which he had signed a multiple movie deal.[51] Norris later dedicated these films to his younger brother Wieland, who was a private in the101st Airborne Division, and had been killed in June 1970 in Vietnam while on patrol in the defense ofFirebase Ripcord.[52] The film was a huge success, and Norris became Cannon's most prominent star of the 1980s.
That same year, on October 2, principal photography ofAndrew Davis'sCode of Silence started.[53] The film marked a departure for Norris, due to its complexity and dramatic depth.[54] The film is about a cop who is ostracized for refusing to support a corrupt cop who killed an innocent bystander, while protecting the daughter of a mob boss.[53] Davis described Norris as "easy to work with and very supportive."[55] Released byOrion Pictures on May 3, 1985,[53] and received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its slick direction, strong performances, and engaging action. It was regarded as a standout in Norris's career, with many considering it his best film to date.[54][56][57][58]Vincent Canby ofThe New York Times who liked the film said of Norris performance that "it could well prove to be his breakout picture". He explains that it marks a potential turning point for Norris, who projects a quiet competence that shines in the film's meticulously crafted fight sequences and that his restrained performance feels fresh and distinct, a departure from his earlier roles.[59] Of critical success Norris said “I really appreciate the acclaim, I’ve worked hard these last nine years to get critics to look at me in a different light. They’re usually more concerned with things likePassage to India, and they’ve hit me hard all these years, especially in the beginning. I’m really excited, to say the least.”[60] The film debuted at number 1 with an opening weekend gross of $5.5 million and ultimately earned a total of $20.3 million at the US box office.[61]
On February 14, 1986,Menahem Golan'sThe Delta Force premiered. Norris co-stars withLee Marvin.[66] They play leaders of an elite squad ofSpecial Forces troops who face a group of terrorists.The Delta Force was a box office success. In October,Ruby-Spears' cartoonKarate Kommandos first aired. The animated show lasted six episodes. In it, Norris voices a cartoon version of himself who leads a United States government team of operatives known as the Karate Kommandos.Marvel made a comic book adaptation.
On November 21,J. Lee Thompson'saction-adventurecomedy filmFirewalker premiered, where Norris co-lead withLouis Gossett Jr.. Gossett and Norris play two seasonedtreasure hunters whose adventures rarely result in any notable success.[67] Norris explained that the project came about when he wanted to show a lighter side of himself.[68] Gossett appreciated Norris efforts and said "I have great respect for what actors call stretch. Chuck had to open up first to allow this atmosphere. It has to do with his desire to stretch. Someone else could have been quite insecure. He chose to open up. He's studying hard and he's serious."[69] The review were mostly negative, while some thought it was a fine for a light action film.[70][71][72][73][74][75][76] Kevin Thomas of theLos Angeles Times, enjoyed it of the cast he said they "really get into the light-hearted spirit of the occasion."[77] The film made $11,834,302 at the box-office.[78]
In 1987, he published theNew York Times Best SellerThe Secret of Inner Strength: My Story. It is about his self-improvement philosophy.[79]
By 1990, his films had collectively grossed over $500 million worldwide . By this time, he had drawn comparisons to both Bruce Lee andClint Eastwood, sometimes called the "blonde Bruce Lee" for his martial arts film roles while his "loner" persona was compared to the Eastwood characterDirty Harry.[83] That same year, MGM acquired theCannon Films library. Norris continued making films with Aaron, who directed him inDelta Force 2,[84]The Hitman,[85]Sidekicks (1993),[86]Hellbound (1994),Top Dog (1995),[87] andForest Warrior (1996).[88]
In 1993, he began shooting the action seriesWalker, Texas Ranger. The television show is centered on SergeantCordell Walker (Norris), a member of theTexas Rangers, a state-level bureau of investigation, and is about his adventures fighting criminals with his partner James Trivette. It lasted eight seasons onCBS and continued in syndication on other channels, notably theHallmark Channel.[89] The show was very successful in the ratings throughout its run, ranking among the Top 30 programs from 1995 until 1999, and ranking in the Top 20 in both the 1995–1996 and 1998–1999 seasons. In 1999, Norris produced and played Walker in a supporting role in theWalker, Texas Ranger spin-offSons of Thunder. The same year, also playing the role of Walker, Norris acted in a crossover episode of theSammo Hung's TV showMartial Law. For another crossover, Hung also appeared as his character inWalker, Texas Ranger.
That same year, he published his autobiographyAgainst All Odds: My Story.
In 2005, Norris founded theWorld Combat League (WCL), a full-contact, team-based martial arts competition, of which part of the proceeds are given to hisKickstart Kids program.[102]
On October 17, 2005, CBS premiered the Sunday Night Movie of the WeekWalker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire. The production was a continuation of the series, and not scripted to be a reunion movie. Norris reprised his role as Walker for the movie. He has stated that futureWalker, Texas Ranger Movie of the Week projects are expected; however, this was severely impaired by CBS's 2006–2007 season decision to no longer regularly schedule Movies of the Week on Sunday night.
Norris during a promotion ceremony at Camp Taqaddum in theAl Anbar province of Iraq on November 2, 2006
Chuck Norris facts originally started appearing on the Internet in early 2005. Created byIan Spector, they are satirical factoids about Norris. Since then, they have become widespread in popular culture. The "facts" are normally absurd hyperbolic claims about Norris's toughness, attitude, virility, sophistication, and masculinity. Norris has written his own response to the parody on his website, stating that he does not feel offended by them and finds some of them funny,[103] claiming that his personal favorite is that they wanted to add his face toMount Rushmore, but the granite is not hard enough for his beard.[104] At first it was mostly college students exchanging them, but they later became extremely widespread.[105]
From that point on, Norris started to tour with the Chuck Norris facts appearing on major talk shows, and even visiting troops in Iraq for morale boosting appearances.[106]
Current works (2006–present)
Norris published the novelThe Justice Riders in 2006, which he had co-written with Ken Abraham, Aaron Norris, and Tim Grayem.[107] Likewise, he published its sequel,A Threat to Justice, a couple years later alongside the same team.
Gotham Books, the adult division ofPenguin USA, released a book penned byIan Spector entitledThe Truth About Chuck Norris: 400 facts about the World's Greatest Human.[108] Norris subsequently filed suit in December against Penguin USA claiming "trademark infringement,unjust enrichment and privacy rights",[109] but ended up dropping the lawsuit in 2008.[110] The book is aNew York Times bestseller. Since then, Spector has published four more books based onChuck Norris facts, one of which also becoming aNew York Times bestseller.[111]Tyndale House Publishers similarly published a book praising Norris, entitledThe Official Chuck Norris Fact Book: 101 of Chuck's Favorite Facts and Stories, which was co-written and officially endorsed by him.[112]
Since 2010, Norris has been a nationally syndicated columnist with Creators Syndicate writing on both personal health issues and broader issues of health care in America.[116]
In 2012, Norris played a mercenary inThe Expendables 2.[130] The film was a success and grossed over $310 million worldwide.[131] That same year, Norris and his wife Gena founded CForce Bottling Co. after an aquifer was discovered on his ranch.[132]
In 2017, Norris becameFiat's ambassador, a "tough face" for its commercial vehicles.[133] Flaregames producedNon Stop Chuck Norris, an isometric action-RPG game formobile devices and is the second game to be based on his popularity developed by the Chuck Norris facts. The game was well-reviewed.[134]
In 2019, Norris hosted the documentaryChuck Norris’ Epic Guide to Military Vehicles on theHistory Channel. In it, Norris explores vehicular creations by the US military.[135] In 2020, Norris acted in the series finale ofHawaii Five-0.[136][137] In 2021, Norris was featured as a character in the video gameWorld of Tanks during a holiday event.[138]
American Tang Soo Do was formed in 1966 by Norris, which is combination ofMoo Duk Kwan-styleTang Soo Do,[d]Judo andKarate (Shito-Ryu andShotokan). Over the years it has been further developed by former black belts of his and their students.
The style was formally founded in 1990 as Chun Kuk Do by Norris, and was originally based on Norris's Tang Soo Do training in Korea while he was in the military.
The art includes a code of honor and rules to live by. These rules are from Norris's personal code. They are:[149]
I will develop myself to the maximum of my potential in all ways.
I will forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements.
I will continually work at developing love, happiness and loyalty in my family.
I will look for the good in all people and make them feel worthwhile.
If I have nothing good to say about a person, I will say nothing.
I will always be as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own.
I will maintain an attitude of open-mindedness.
I will maintain respect for those in authority and demonstrate this respect at all times.
I will always remain loyal to my God, my country, family and my friends.
I will remain highly goal-oriented throughout my life because that positive attitude helps my family, my country and myself.
Like most traditional martial arts, Chuck Norris System includes the practice of forms (Koreanhyung and Japanesekata). The majority of the system's forms are adapted from Korean Tang Soo Do, and Taekwondo, JapaneseShitō-ryū,Shotokan Karate,Goju-ryu,Kyokushinkai Karate,Judo,Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, AmericanKenpo. It includes two organization-specific introductory forms, two organization-specific empty-hand forms, and one organization-specific weapon form (UFAFNunchuk form, UFAF Bo form, UFAFSai forms).[citation needed]
The United Fighting Arts Federation has graduated over 3,000 black belts in its history, and currently has nearly 4,000 active members world-wide.[150] There are about 90 member schools in the US,Mexico,Norway, andParaguay.[citation needed]
Norris has received manyblack belts. These include a 10th degree black belt inChun Kuk Do (founded 1990 by Chuck Norris. Based on his Tang Soo Do training in Korea while he was in military), a 9th degree black belt inTang Soo Do[specify], an 8th degree black belt inTaekwondo, a 5th degree black belt inKarate[specify], a 3rd degree black belt inBrazilian jiu-jitsu from theMachado family, and a black belt inJudo.[151]
In 1967, he won theSparring Grand Champions at the S. Henry Cho's All American Championship, and won it again the following year.[152]
In 1968, he won the Professional Middleweight Karate champion title, which he held for six consecutive years.[5]
In 1969, he won Karate's triple crown for the most tournament wins of the year.
In 1969, he won theFighter of the Year award byBlack Belt magazine.
On March 28, 2007, Commandant Gen.James T. Conway made Norris an honoraryUnited States Marine during a dinner at the commandant's residence in Washington, D.C.[154]
In 2010, he won theLifetime Achievement Award at theActionFest.[156]
In 2017, he was honored as an "Honorary Texan" because for many years he has lived at his Texas ranch near Navasota and he starred as Texas Ranger in his movieLone Wolf McQuade and starred as ranger Cordell Walker in the TV seriesWalker, Texas Ranger.
In 2020, two editions of a book honoring Norris were published titledMartial Arts Masters & Pioneers Biography: Chuck Norris – Giving Back For A Lifetime by Jessie Bowen of theAmerican Martial Arts Alliance.[157]
In 2024, a small statue was erected by Mihály Kolodkó at the eastern end ofMegyeri Bridge in Budapest.[158][159]
Personal life
Family
Norris married Dianne Kay Holechek (born 1941) in December 1958, inTorrance, California.[160] He was 18 and Dianne was 17. The two had been classmates at North High School in Torrance.[161] He and Holecheck separated in 1988, after 30 years of marriage, and finalized their divorce in 1989. They had two children together,Mike (born 1962) andEric (born 1964).
Norris married Gena O'Kelley, a model 23 years his junior, on November 28, 1998. The two met in 1997, while Norris was on a date with another woman.[162] They have two children together, fraternal twins Dakota and Danilee (b. 2001).
Norris has a daughter, Dina (born 1962), from anextramarital relationship.[163][164] While stationed in California during his time in theUnited States Air Force, Norris began seeing a woman named Johanna and didn't tell her he was married to Holechek. The two met for the first time in 1990 and publicly acknowledged her in 2004, in his memoir,Against All Odds: My Story.[165]
Norris has 13 grandchildren as of 2017[update].[166]
In an interview following the release of the 1984 filmMissing in Action, Norris stated that "I am aconservative, a real flag waver, a bigRonald Reagan fan. I'm not so much a Republican or Democrat; I go more for the man himself. Ronald Reagan says what he thinks, he's not afraid to speak his mind, even if he may be unpopular. I want a strong leader and he is a strong leader. And ever since he has been in office there has been a more positive, patriotic feeling in this country."[176]
Around the time of the filming of the 1986 filmThe Delta Force, Norris said—in response to the hijacking ofTWA flight 847—that United States is becoming a "paper tiger" in the Middle East. "What we're facing here is the fact that our passive approach to terrorism is going to instigate much more terrorism throughout the world."[177] "I've been all over the world, and seeing the devastation that terrorism has done in Europe and the Middle East, I know eventually it's going to come here," added Norris. "It's just a matter of time. They're doing all this devastation in Europe now, and the next stepping stone is America and Canada. Being a free country, with the freedom of movement that we have, it's an open door policy for terrorism. It's likeKhadafy [sic] said a few weeks ago. 'If Reagan doesn't back off, I'm going to release my killer squads in America.' And there's no doubt in my mind that he has them."[178]
In 2007, Norris took a trip toIraq to visit U.S. troops.[179][180]
On November 18, 2008, Norris became one of the first members of show business to express support for theCalifornia Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage, and he criticized activists for not accepting thedemocratic process and the apparent double standard he perceived in criticizingthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints without criticizing African Americans, most of whom who had voted for the measure.[184]
In 2009, Norris had expressed support for theBarack Obama"birther" conspiracy. In his letter, released atWorldNetDaily, Norris deemed then-President Obama's refusal to disclose his birth certificate suspicious and implored him to put an end to the conspiracy theories.[185][186]
On April 11, 2011 Norris had written a five-part investigation regarding the "infiltration ofSharia law into United States culture" forWorldNetDaily.[187][188]
On June 26, 2012, Norris published an article on Ammoland.com, in which he accused theObama administration of payingJim Turley, one of the national board members of theBoy Scouts of America at the time, to reverse the organization's policy that excluded gay youths from joining.[189]
During the2012 presidential election, Norris first recommendedRon Paul, and then later formally endorsedNewt Gingrich as the Republican presidential candidate.[190] After Gingrich suspended his campaign in May 2012, Norris endorsed Republicanpresumptive nomineeMitt Romney, despite Norris having previously accused Romney offlip-flopping and of trying to buy the nomination for the Republican Party candidacy for 2012.[191] On the eve of the election, he and his wife Gena made a video warning that if evangelicals did not show up at the polls and vote out President Obama, "...our country as we know it may be lost forever...".[192][193]
In 2019, Norris signed an endorsement deal with gun manufacturerGlock. The deal was met with criticism from some members of the public and some of his fans, who felt it was in bad timing due to the increase inschool shootings in the United States.[201]
In 1990, Norris established theUnited Fighting Arts Federation andKickstart Kids. As a significant part of his philanthropic contributions, the organization was formed to develop self-esteem and focus in at-risk children as a tactic to keep them away from drug-related pressure by training them in martial arts. Norris hopes that by shifting middle school and high school children's focus towards this positive and strengthening endeavor, these children will have the opportunity to build a better future for themselves.[102][203] Norris has a ranch inNavasota, Texas, where they[who?] bottle water;[204] a portion of the sales support environmental funds and Kickstart Kids.
He is known for his contributions towards organizations such as Funds for Kids, Veteran's Administration National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans, theUnited Way, and theMake-A-Wish Foundation in the form of donations as well as fund-raising activities.[102]
His time with theU.S. Veterans Administration as a spokesperson was inspired by his experience serving theUnited States Air Force in Korea. His objective has been to popularize the issues that concern hospitalized war veterans such aspensions and health care. Due to his significant contributions, and continued support, he received theVeteran of the Year award in 2001 at theAmerican Veteran Awards.[102]
In India, Norris supports theVijay Amritraj Foundation, which aims to help victims of disease, tragedy and circumstance. Through his donations, he has helped the foundation support Paediatric HIV/AIDS homes inDelhi, a blind school inKarnataka, and a mission that cares forHIV/AIDS-infected adults, as well as mentally ill patients inCochin.[205]
^abBerkow, Ira (May 12, 1993)."At Dinner with: Chuck Norris".The New York Times.Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. RetrievedFebruary 15, 2017.Mr. Norris also grew up poor, with an alcoholic father, a Cherokee Indian, who was gone from home much of the time, and he and his brother Aaron, who directed "Sidekicks," and a third brother, Wieland, were raised for the most part by their Irish mother.
^Imperial College TV (July 10, 2011)."Chuck Norris Interview 1980".Archived from the original on March 12, 2021. RetrievedJanuary 3, 2018 – via YouTube.
^Rimington, Dana. "72-year-old can Chun Kuk Do / Layton senior's focus turns from fancy writing to fancy footwork".Standard-Examiner. Saturday, August 28, 2010
^BJJ Instructors and Students."BJJ Genius".Archived from the original on July 1, 2014. RetrievedSeptember 4, 2014.
^Bowen, Jessie (June 9, 2020).Martial Arts Masters & Pioneers Biography: Chuck Norris – Giving Back For A Lifetime (1st ed.). US: Independently published. p. 424.ISBN979-8650086956.
^Weiner, Rachel (May 25, 2011)."Chuck Norris On Birthers: "I Agree With CNN's Lou Dobbs"".HuffPost. RetrievedFebruary 16, 2023.I agree with CNN's Lou Dobbs, who was chastised by his own media outlet for demanding the release of your original birth certificate. Why was that such a bad request? [...] Mr. President, as more and more people realize that you are refusing to release your original birth certificate, further questions will fuel the fires of debate or at least hinder the embers from ever being snuffed out. Questions such as, "Does it really contain the Hawaiian physician's name?" "Does it disclose something other than his birthplace that he wishes others not to see?"
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