Legendary Action Star Chuck Norris Passes Away at 86, Leaving a Legacy of Strength and Inspiration

Image : Chuck Norris

Sapnews Pro: The family of Chuck Norris released a statement via Instagram (@chucknorris) early Friday morning, announcing that the iconic actor and martial artist passed away at the age of 86 on Thursday morning (19/03/2026).

“With heavy hearts, our family shares that Chuck Norris passed away on Thursday morning. He was with his family and died in peace.”

“To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and symbol of strength. To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, a wonderful brother, and the heart of our family. He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to those he loved. Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions worldwide and left a lasting impact.”

The statement continued: “Although our hearts are broken, we are deeply grateful for the life he lived and the unforgettable moments we shared. The love and support from fans around the world meant so much to him, and our family is truly thankful.”

“To him, you were not just fans but friends. We know many of you heard about his recent hospitalization, and we are grateful for your prayers and support. As we grieve, we kindly ask for privacy. Thank you for loving him with us.”

Chuck Norris was born in Ryan, Oklahoma, on March 10, 1940. He grew up in humble circumstances. At age 12, he moved to Torrance, California, and joined the U.S. Air Force in 1958. While serving in Korea, he began training in martial arts such as judo and Tang Soo Do.

In an interview on The 700 Club, he said: “I was extremely shy and introverted, and not athletic. People find that hard to believe. But when I went to Korea, I discovered martial arts and fell in love with it.”

After leaving military service in 1962, he opened a martial arts studio, which later grew into a network frequented by celebrities such as Steve McQueen, Priscilla Presley, and Bob Barker. Steve McQueen was the one who encouraged him to pursue acting.

His first appearance was in the film “The Wrecking Crew” in 1968. During the 1970s, he appeared in several films while also competing in karate. After retiring from competition in 1974, he decided to pursue acting full-time.

He said in 1988 to the Los Angeles Times: “I started acting in my 30s with no experience, but with positive thinking, I was able to succeed.”

He starred in many films such as “Missing in Action”, “The Delta Force”, and “Sidekicks”.

In 1993, he became widely famous for his role in the TV series “Walker, Texas Ranger”, which ran for nine seasons. In 2010, Governor Rick Perry honored him with the title of Texas Ranger.

His final film was “Agent Recon”.

In philanthropy, he founded Kickstart Kids in 1990 with the support of former President George H. W. Bush, helping over 120,000 children through karate programs.

Chuck Norris was also known for his Christian faith and political support, including backing Donald Trump in the 2016 election.

He is survived by his wife, Gena O’Kelley, and his children Mike, Eric, Dakota, Danilee, and Dina.

On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed sadness over the loss:

“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Chuck Norris, a great friend of Israel and a close personal friend.”

He added: “Chuck brought martial arts and the warmth of his character to millions of people around the world. May his memory be a blessing.”