Chuck Norris
Biography
Carlos Ray Chuck Norris was an American martial artist and actor born on March 10, 1940, in Ryan, Oklahoma, and died on March 19, 2026. He was a black belt in Karate, Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Brazilian jiu jitsu, and judo. After serving in the United States Air Force, Norris won many martial arts championships and founded his own discipline, Chun Kuk Do. He later trained celebrities in martial arts in Hollywood and appeared in a minor role in the film The Wrecking Crew in 1968. Bruce Lee invited him to play one of the main villains in The Way of the Dragon in 1972, and friend and student Steve McQueen later suggested he take acting seriously.
Career overview
Carlos Ray Chuck Norris was an American martial artist and actor born in Ryan, Oklahoma on March 10, 1940, and he passed away on March 19, 2026. He held black belts in Karate, Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Brazilian jiu jitsu, and judo. Following his service in the United States Air Force, Norris won numerous martial arts championships and eventually founded his own discipline called Chun Kuk Do. He subsequently moved to Hollywood to train celebrities in martial arts.
Norris began his film career with a minor role in the 1968 film The Wrecking Crew. Later, his friend and fellow martial artist Bruce Lee invited him to play one of the main villains in the 1972 film The Way of the Dragon. As Norris continued his acting pursuits, his friend and student Steve McQueen suggested that he take acting seriously. Over the course of his career, Norris accumulated 80 known credits in acting on the platform.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Agent Recon (2024) as Alastair
- Jean-Claude Van Damme: Karate King (2023) as Self (archive footage)
- History 101 (2020) as Self (archive footage)
- Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks (2019) as Self (archive footage)
- Chuck Norris's Epic Guide to Military Vehicles (2019) as Self
- Chuck Norris's Epic Guide to Military Vehicles (2019) Executive Producer
- The Green Fog (2018)
- The Real Miyagi (2015) as Self (archive footage)
- Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films (2014) as Self - Actor (archive footage)
- The Goldbergs (2013) as Chuck Norris (voice)
- The Expendables 2 (2012) as Booker
- Too Young to Die (2012) as Self (archive footage)
- Hawaii Five-0 (2010) as Sgt. Major Phillips
- Epic Rap Battles of History (2010) Characters
- Chuck Norris Kills Everybody (2009)
- The Cutter (2005) as John Shepherd
- The Cutter (2005) Executive Producer
- Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire (2005) as Capt. Ranger Cordell Walker
- Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire (2005) Executive Producer
- The Tony Danza Show (2004) as Self - Guest
- DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story (2004) as Chuck Norris
- Birdie and Bogey (2004) Executive Producer
- Bells of Innocence (2003) as Matthew
- The President's Man: A Line in the Sand (2002) as Joshua McCord
- The President's Man: A Line in the Sand (2002) Executive Producer
- The Unbeatable Bruce Lee (2001)
- Reflections on 'the Little Dragon' (2001)
- Liocracy (2001)
- The President's Man (2000) as Joshua McCord
- The President's Man (2000) Executive Producer
- Sons of Thunder (1999) as Cordell Walker
- Sons of Thunder (1999) Producer
- Sons of Thunder (1999) Creator
- Martial Law (1998) as Ranger Cordell Walker
- Logan's War: Bound by Honor (1998) as Jake Fallon
- Logan's War: Bound by Honor (1998) Executive Producer
- Logan's War: Bound by Honor (1998) Story
- Chuck Norris: Private Lesson (1997) as Himself
- The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1996) as Self - Guest
- Forest Warrior (1996) as Jedidiah McKenna
- WCW Monday Nitro (1995)
- Top Dog (1995) as Jake Wilder
- Hellbound (1994) as Frank Shatter
- Twin Sitters (1994) as (archive footage)
- Undertaker: He Buries Them Alive! (1994) as Self (Archive footage)
- WWE Survivor Series 1994 (1994) as Ringside Enforcer
- Walker Texas Ranger 3: Deadly Reunion (1994) as Ranger Cordell Walker
- Late Show with David Letterman (1993) as Self - Guest
- Raw (1993) as Chuck Norris
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) as Self - Guest
- Walker, Texas Ranger (1993) as Cordell Walker
- Walker, Texas Ranger (1993) Writer
- Walker, Texas Ranger (1993) Producer
- Walker, Texas Ranger: One Riot, One Ranger (1993) as Ranger Cordell Walker
- Wind in the Wire (1993) as Chuck Norris
- Sidekicks (1992) as Self
- Sidekicks (1992) Executive Producer
- The Hitman (1991) as Garret / Grogan
- Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection (1990) as Col. Scott McCoy
- Happy Birthday, Bugs! 50 Looney Years (1990) as Self
- Steve McQueen: Man on the Edge (1990) as Self
- Braddock: Missing in Action III (1988) as Col. James Braddock
- Braddock: Missing in Action III (1988) Writer
- Hero and the Terror (1988) as Danny O'Brien
- The Ultimate Stuntman: A Tribute to Dar Robinson (1987) as Self (Host)
- The Delta Force (1986) as Major Scott McCoy
- Firewalker (1986) as Max Donigan
- Chuck Norris: Karate Kommandos (1986) as Chuck Norris (voice)
- Chuck Norris: Karate Kommandos (1986) Creator
- Code of Silence (1985) as Eddie Cusack
- Missing in Action 2: The Beginning (1985) as Colonel James Braddock
- Invasion U.S.A. (1985) as Matt Hunter
- Invasion U.S.A. (1985) Screenplay
- Missing in Action (1984) as Col. James Braddock
- Bruce Lee, the Legend (1984) as Self
- Hollywood '84 (1984) as Self
- Lone Wolf McQuade (1983) as J.J. McQuade
- Late Night with David Letterman (1982) as Self - Guest
- Silent Rage (1982) as Sheriff Dan Stevens
- Forced Vengeance (1982) as Josh Randall
- An Eye for an Eye (1981) as Sean Kane
- The Octagon (1980) as Scott James
- A Force of One (1979) as Matt Logan
- Game of Death (1978) as Colt
- Good Guys Wear Black (1978) as John T. Booker
- Breaker! Breaker! (1977) as John David 'J.D.' Dawes
- The Warrior Within (1976) as Self
- Dinah! (1974) as Self
- Slaughter in San Francisco (1974) as Chuck Slaughter
- Bruce Lee: The Man and the Legend (1973) as Self
- The Student Teachers (1973) as Karate Instructor
- The Way of the Dragon (1972) as Colt
- Crime On The Streets (1972)
- The Wrecking Crew (1968) as Man in the House of 7 Joys (uncredited)
- Zombie Plane as Commander Chuck Norris