Tributes highlight the actor’s trajectory, cultural influence and remarkable presence in different generations
Politicians mourned on social media this Friday (20 March 2026) the death of actor and martial arts master Chuck Norris, who died on Thursday morning (19 March), aged 86. He was admitted to a hospital in Hawaii. The information was released by the family through the artist’s official profile. The cause of death was not reported.
The governor of Paraná and pre-candidate for President, (PSD), said that the actor “he represented like few others this type of hero that crosses generations” and offered solidarity to family, friends and admirers.
The federal deputy (União-SP) stated that Norris marked generations with “natural charisma” and highlighted its presence in internet culture.
The deputy (PL-MG) published a video of the actor in his Instagram stories with the phrase: “Heroes don’t die. They become legends.”
TRAJECTORY IN CINEMA AND TV
Carlos Ray Norris was born on March 10, 1940, in Ryan, Oklahoma, in the United States. He was the son of Ray Norris, a mechanic, and Wilma Scarberry, a homemaker. He was the oldest of 3 brothers.
Norris became known in the 80s for films such as “Delta Command” e “Braddock: The Super Commando”. He also starred in the series “Walker, Texas Ranger” in the role of ranger Cordell Walker, known in Brazil as “The Man of the Law”, shown in the 1990s.
In the late 1960s, the actor began his career in cinema with an uncredited role in “Secret weapon against Matt Helm” (1968), by Phil Karlson, with Dean Martin and Sharon Tate. His first big opportunity came 4 years later with “The Flight of the Dragon”, directed, written and starring Bruce Lee (1940-1973), martial arts legend.
In recent years, Norris had moved away from the screen. He made occasional appearances, as in “The Expendables 2”, launched in 2012.
CAREER IN MARTIAL ARTS
Norris enlisted in the US Air Force in 1958. He was sent to the Osan air base, in South Korea. It was there that he gained the nickname Chuck. He began training in Tang Soo Do, a martial art known as “Korean karate”.
He developed a passion for martial arts and fighting. He achieved multiple ranks: black belt in judo, 3rd dan black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, 5th dan black belt in karate, 8th dan black belt in taekwondo, 9th dan black belt in tang soo do and 10th dan black belt in chun kuk do.
