Celebrities Pay Tribute To Chuck Norris (Instagram/Chuck Norris)
Chuck Norris Dies At 86
Actor and martial artist Chuck Norris died on Thursday (March 19) following a hospitalization. He was 86.
News broke on March 19 that Norris was hospitalized on Kauai, Hawaii after a sudden, unspecified medical emergency. Early reports by TMZ said the cause was unknown, but he was “in good spirits” at the time.
His family announced his death in a statement that read:
“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.”
Who Was Chuck Norris?
Norris was an American martial artist and actor, most well-known for his hit TV show Walker, Texas Ranger, which aired from 1993 to 2001.
Norris made his big screen debut in The Wrecking Crew in 1968. He later gained international attention in Way of the Dragon (1972), where he starred opposite Bruce Lee in a now-iconic fight scene set in Rome.
The late actor went on to headline a series of popular movies throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, including Good Guys Wear Black, The Octagon, and Lone Wolf McQuade.
Norris was also an Air Force Veteran and earned black belts in Karate, Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Judo. Up until the final days of his life, Norris remained committed to martial arts and staying physically active.
Celebrities Pay Tribute To The Late Actor
Tributes quickly poured in following reports of Norris’ death, with family, friends, and former colleagues honoring the 86-year-old for his resilience and enduring spirit.
Many remembered Norris not only as an action star, but as a devoted family man and a figure whose tenacity for life left a lasting impression on those who knew him and worked alongside him.
Priscilla Presley, said Norris, who was her “karate instructor and friend,” will be forever missed.
Donny Osmond also paid trubute to the late actor, thanking Norris for pushing him to be “stronger in every way.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger remembered Norris, praising not only his physical strength but his discipline and kindness behind the scenes. The two shared a long-standing connection through Hollywood and later appeared together in The Expendables 2.
Chuck was an icon.
I am grateful that I was able to work with him in multiple ways over the years, from promoting fitness to sharing the screen together. He was a badass, in real life and in Hollywood.
His legend will be with us forever. My thoughts are with his family.
— Arnold Schwarzenegger (@Schwarzenegger) March 20, 2026
Norris’ former co-star, Sylvester Stallone, described him as “All American in every way,” saying he had a great time working together.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Norris’ family and friends during this difficult time.