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Chuck Norris Dies at 86
Chuck Norris, star of 'Walker, Texas Ranger' and martial arts icon, has died at 86 following a medical emergency in Hawaii, as confirmed by his family on Instagram.
Published March 20, 2026 at 2:49pm by Marley Malenfant
FILE - Chuck Norris attends the premiere for "The Expendables 2" in Los Angeles on Aug. 15, 2012. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Chuck Norris — a martial artist, action star and internet meme icon — has died after being hospitalized in Hawaii following a reported medical emergency.
His family confirmed his death Thursday morning on his Instagram account.
Norris had reportedly been hospitalized on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.
Norris experienced medical emergency after his 86th birthday, when he posted a video on social media showing him sparring with a physical trainer.
"To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength," the family wrote on social media. "To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family."
The cause of death has not been released.
Who was Chuck Norris?
Norris transitioned from being an Air Force veteran and martial arts instructor to becoming an American icon. The globally recognized actor launched his Hollywood career when Bruce Lee cast him as the villain in the 1972 film "The Way of the Dragon."
He soon rose to international fame as an action star, taking on leading roles in numerous films throughout the 1980s before headlining the long-running series "Walker, Texas Ranger."
What are Chuck Norris memes?
His popularity surged once more in the 2000s with the rise of "Chuck Norris facts," a viral internet meme featuring exaggerated and humorous claims about him. Norris did not have a hand in creating the meme, but its popularity helped cement his cultural legacy.
March 20, 2026