Chuck Norris, Action Hero And Star Of 'walker, Texas Ranger,' Dies At 86

Chuck Norris, nan square-jawed martial creator and Hollywood action leader who became a awesome of rugged American masculinity arsenic prima of nan CBS bid “Walker, Texas Ranger” and later arsenic a celebrated net meme, has died, his family announced Friday.

He was 86.

“It is pinch dense hearts that our family shares nan abrupt passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning,” Norris’ family said successful a station connected Instagram. “While we would for illustration to support nan circumstances private, please cognize that he was surrounded by his family and was astatine peace.”

Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee successful "The Way of nan Dragon."Concord Productions Inc. / Golden Harvest Company/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images file

“To nan world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a awesome of strength. To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving begetter and grandfather, an unthinkable brother, and nan bosom of our family.He lived his life pinch faith, purpose, and an unwavering committedness to nan group he loved,” Norris’ family added.

He was champion known for his nine-season tally arsenic Texas Ranger Sergeant Cordell Walker, a steely-eyed erstwhile Marine who dispensed Lone Star justness pinch roundhouse kicks and a decidedly old-school civilized code. The bid remains a staple of syndicated television.

Norris roseate to fame arsenic a martial arts champion and trainer earlier going connected to look successful a drawstring of movies, astir notably nan Bruce Lee classical “The Way of nan Dragon” arsenic good arsenic nan 1980s thrillers “Lone Wolf McQuade,” “Missing successful Action,” “Code of Silence” and “The Delta Force.”