Chuck Norris, Martial Artist and Star of Walker, Texas Ranger, Dies at 86

Chuck Norris, the martial artist who became an action film star and then the lead of the long-running television series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” died at 86, his family announced on Friday, saying he died the previous morning, according to NBC News and ABC News. Us Weekly reported that he had been hospitalized in Hawaii the previous day after a medical emergency, and that no cause of death has been disclosed.

“It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning,” the family said in an Instagram statement. NBC News and ABC News quoted the statement as saying he was “surrounded by his family and was at peace” and asking that the circumstances be kept private. Us Weekly, which published the full statement, said it described him as “a martial artist, actor and a symbol of strength” and, to the family, “the heart of our family,” saying he “lived his life with faith, purpose and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved.”

Reports of his hospitalization had come the day before. STL30, a Nexstar-owned station site, cited TMZ in reporting that he was taken to a hospital after a medical emergency in the preceding 24 hours and was said to be in good spirits. It said he had been training on Kauai and later added an update, linking to The National Desk, saying he had died.

Us Weekly described a career of close to six decades and said his notable films included “Missing in Action,” “The Delta Force” and “The Expendables 2.” NPR, NBC News and ABC News also named “Missing in Action” and “The Delta Force”; NBC News and ABC News said he starred for nine seasons in “Walker, Texas Ranger,” while NPR put it at about 200 episodes. STL30 and NBC News also listed “Good Guys Wear Black.” According to Us Weekly, not independently confirmed, he received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in December 1989.

Norris had largely retired from acting, STL30 reported, though he made a 2020 cameo in “Hawaii Five-0” and had a lead role in the 2024 science-fiction action film “Agent Recon.” It said he had been set to play himself in the Australian action comedy “Zombie Plane” this year.

He had turned 86 on March 10 and posted a video of himself boxing, ABC News reported, writing: “I don’t age. I level up.”

Fans left bouquets and a miniature replica Academy Award at his Walk of Fame star on Hollywood Boulevard, according to Us Weekly. The family statement, as published by Us Weekly, thanked fans, saying, “you were not just fans, you were his friends.”