Action star, ‘tough cookie’ and cultural icon: The world pays tribute to Chuck Norris | Ent News & Arts

Tributes have been paid to martial arts icon and action film star Chuck Norris, who has died aged 86.

The Hollywood actor was remembered by US President Donald Trump, as well as a number of celebrities and his own family, who called him a “warrior” with a heart “full of love”.

Norris saw a resurgence in popularity after early internet memes – consisting of jokes presented as “facts” that exaggerate his powers and abilities – propelled him to online fame in the mid-2000s.

Born in Oklahoma in 1940, Norris joined the US Air Force in his late teens and began training in martial arts while serving in South Korea, eventually earning a black belt and becoming an undefeated six-time World Professional Middleweight Karate champion.

After turning to acting, Norris had his breakthrough role in 1972’s The Way of the Dragon alongside Bruce Lee, before starring in more than 20 films, including Missing in Action and The Delta Force.

His role in the long-running TV series Walker, Texas Ranger cemented his fame.

Norris’ family shared the news of the actor’s “sudden passing” just days after his 86th birthday on Friday, describing him as “the heart of our family” who lived with “unwavering faith, purpose and commitment to those he loved.”

“While we would like to keep this situation private, please know that he is surrounded by his family and is at peace,” his family said.

The US President joined in paying tribute to the film star, telling reporters outside the White House that Norris was a “great guy” and a “tough guy”.

“You don’t want to fight him, I’ll tell you,” Trump said.

Norris’ daughter Danielle said: “He may have had a warrior exterior, but his heart was so full of love and I’m so grateful that’s something he and my mum passed on to me.”

One of his grandchildren, Greta, paid tribute to the actor in an Instagram post that referenced the “Chuck Norris Facts” genre of internet jokes that depicted Norris’ personality as a tough guy and undefeated fighter.

“You all know Chuck Norris as the guy who counted twice to infinity, the person who was bitten by a cobra and the cobra died,” he said.

“He is a person who does not do push-ups but will push the earth down.

“Chuck Norris is known for many great things, but what I am most proud of is that I knew him as my Papa.”

Read more from Sky News:
Kevin Spacey solves sexual assault case in London
AI-generated Val Kilmer will star in the film following the actor’s death

Action stars Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren paid tribute to Norris, who they co-starred with in The Expendables 2 in 2012.

In his final Facebook post shared on March 10 to mark his birthday, Norris said: “I’m not aging. I’m leveling up.”

“I am grateful for another year, good health, and the opportunity to continue doing what I love,” he added.

Political conservative and meme legend

Shortly after his appearance in the 2004 film Dodgeball, Norris became the focus of a viral internet meme that would propel him to new levels of fame.

The gag format presents wildly hyperbolic statements about his power and greatness as fact, such as “Chuck Norris competed to stare into the sun – and won”.

Another read: “Flu gets Chuck Norris a shot every year”.

Norris has also been outspoken about his conservative views, including support for gun rights.

He supported Donald Trump for his first presidential bid in 2016.

Norris is survived by his wife Gena O’Kelley, five children and 13 grandchildren.