7 Kick-Butt Facts About Martial Arts Master Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris, best known for his role as Cordell Walker in the hit CBS TV show Walker, Texas Ranger, was born in Ryan, Oklahoma, on March 10, 1940; he grew up with a rocky home life before moving to Torrance, California, as a teen with his mom after his parents’ divorce. In 1958, shortly after graduating high school, Norris joined the Air Force and was later deployed to Korea as an air policeman. Once in Korea, he developed a fascination with martial arts — a practice that would become a significant part of his life and the backbone of his Hollywood career. Upon returning to the U.S. in 1962, Norris opened his karate school, teaching students including Priscilla Presley, Bob Barker and the Osmonds.
Norris began his successful fighting career in 1964, winning many championships before retiring in 1974 — at which point his student and friend Steve McQueen encouraged him to pursue acting.
Here are seven more things you may not know about the action star as he celebrates his 85th birthday.
1 Norris has eight black belts and developed two major martial arts systems
Nik Wheeler/Corbis via Getty Images
During the 1960s, Norris won six world karate titles and earned an eighth-degree black belt in Chun Kuk Do, Taekwondo, Karate, Tang Soo Do, Machado, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo. Norris didn’t just master forms of martial arts created by others — he also created two forms of martial arts himself: American Tang Soo Do and the Chuck Norris System (aka Chun Kuk Do). American Tang Soo Do combines Moo Duk Kwan-style Tang Soo Do, Judo and Karate. Chun Kuk Do is based on Norris’s Tang Soo Do training in Korea during his time in the military.
> Which Celebs Have Joined the Jiu Jitsu Craze? (Hint: A lot!)
2 He sells his own silver coins
chucknorrissilvercoin.com
Chuck Norris offers his very own 1-oz. silver coin. It’s a limited-edition coin representing Chuck’s 5 Principles for Life: Faith, Family, Fitness, Freedom and Fight. The coin costs $97 and can be bought through his website. Norris and his wife Gena also own a bottled water company called CForce, which is bottled directly at Chuck Norris’ Lone Wolf Ranch, preserving its natural purity. And, of course, he is also known for being a spokesperson of the Total Gym home workout system.
3 Lee vs. Norris
Everett Collection
In the 1972 film Way of the Dragon, Norris acted alongside Bruce Lee in one of the most iconic martial arts showdowns in film. The fight scene was shot illegally in the Roman Colosseum, and the crew bribed Roman officials and snuck cameras in, pretending to be tourists. Even though Norris was the current World Karate Champion, Lee’s character killed him in the scene! The movie became one of Bruce Lee’s highest-grossing films. There has often been speculation if the two ever fought in real life, a fact which Norris has ever confirmed or denied.
4 Rattlesnake vs. Norris
In 1996, on the set of Walker, Texas Ranger, Norris had a scene with a large rattlesnake. The first take went according to plan, with all the action occurring safely with no incidents. However, during the second take, the rattlesnake bit Norris, and he had to go to the hospital.
5 Did you know his name isn’t actually “Chuck”?
20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection
Chuck’s given name is actually Carlos Ray Norris. During his time at the Lackland Air Force boot camp, a young Hispanic man asked if Norris knew what Carlos meant in English. He said it meant Charles, and that the nickname for Charles is Chuck. All the guys at the boot camp started calling Norris Chuck, and the name stuck ever since.
6 He’s the subject of multiple video games
In 2008, Gameloft released the video game Chuck Norris: Bring on the Pain. In 2012, Flaregames released Non-Stop Chuck Norris, an action RPG game and the second game inspired by the popularity of “Chuck Norris facts,” a series of internet memes about Norris completing impossible acts. Neither game is still available, but Chuck Norris Facts and Chuck Norris Jokes are available on app download stores.
7 Norris’ first TV appearance was at school
Chuck’s very first TV appearance was on Room 222 in the episode titled “Dreams of Glory” in 1970. Norris played a karate instructor helping Larry (Eric Laneuville) gain confidence from a school bully.
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Wild West- Heroes & Villains
November 2022
Celebrates the unique sense of justice, compassion and adventure in the Old West as seen on TV and in the movies
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