Martial arts champion and film and television superstar Chuck Norris has died at the age of 86.
His family issued a statement:
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
Norris, a multi-time martial arts champion who wrote hundreds of columns that appeared on WorldNetDaily, explaining his life values, talking about those people like Ronald Reagan that he knew and more, had just been admitted to a hospital in Hawaii following a “sudden medical emergency.”
He had just celebrated his 86th birthday, on March 10, and shared a video of himself in a training session.
BREAKING: Chuck Norris’ family releases statement after he passes away at 86
He died Thursday morning in Hawaii, according to the family, who said, “It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday [Thursday] morning. While… pic.twitter.com/eyKD3IBban
— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) March 20, 2026
️ Chuck Norris has died at 86. https://t.co/iEc9C997Ik pic.twitter.com/h3FrMFOogo
— TMZ (@TMZ) March 20, 2026
BREAKING: Chuck Norris dead at 86, family announces
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 20, 2026
He was many times a world karate champion, retiring at age 34.
He moved into acting at the suggestion of his friend, Steve McQueen, and soon became a household name.
At the same time, he became a “household name” because of the industry of “Chuck Norris Facts,” those wildly extravagant statements about him such as outer space exists because it fears being on earth with Chuck Norris.
That continued even after death, with: Chuck Norris didn’t die. He told death he was coming.”
Chuck Norris didn’t die.
He told death he was coming. https://t.co/50PTewBotp
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) March 20, 2026
Others over the years were, “Chuck Norris doesn’t sleep; he waits” and “There is no chin behind Chuck Norris’ beard; there is only another fist.”
When he was hospitalized with a medical emergency in Hawaii, those messages remained, and remained hopeful: “The bacteria that hit Chuck Norris is going to exit his body, profusely apologize and immediately make a huge money donation to the hospital,” said one.
On his birthday, he said, “I’m 86 today! Nothing like some playful action on a sunny day to make you feel young. I’m grateful for another year, good health, and the chance to keep doing what I love.”
“Thank you all for being the best fans in the world. Your support through the years has meant more to me than you’ll ever know. God Bless, Chuck Norris.”
He starred in classics like “Way of the Dragon: and “Delta Force” and even as recently as “The Expendables 2” in 2012 documented he could hold his own.
WND reported when he took on the project “Agent Recon” in his 84th year.
That actually supported one of those famed “Chuck Norris facts” that explains why he doesn’t wear a watch.
Because he decides what time it is.
His career launched back in 1968 with “The Wrecking Crew.”
By the way, at the start of that year, Lyndon Johnson was president; Richard Nixon was elected in the fall.
The trailer for “Agent Recon”:
It 2012 he had a cameo in “Expendables 2” and saved a team of toughs on a special mission after they were pinned down and destined for annihilation by the enemy.
Facing the end, the team members heard bang, bang, bang and a few explosions and looked down to the road so see Chuck Norris casually strolling toward them.
His famous line there: “I work alone.”
Online, he’s described as a “noted writer,” authoring books on martial arts, philosophy, Christianity, politics and exercise, twice being named a New York Times bestselling author.
Norris, and his life values, regularly appear online. Elon Musk posted an image of Chuck Norris playing chess, with the caption, “Chuckmate,” as his fight over Twitter exploded.
Those internet sayings live on:
“When Chuck Norris donates blood, he avoids the syringe, just asking for a gun and a bucket.”
And then there’s “faster than a speeding bullet” is a Chuck Norris warmup.
Norris, says another, “doesn’t dodge bullets, they dodge him.”
And Norris “only invented guns because he wanted to make it a fair fight. For others.”
Norris also has let loose his humorous side more than once.
He released a video that was a parody of an ad by action movie hero Jean-Claude Van Damme, who performed a split between two moving trucks.
Norris’ response was doing the splits between two flying jets
See the Van Damme ad, followed by Chuck Norris’ parody:
