Life
When you think of Chuck Norris, you either immediately think action movie star (recalling his numerous feature films) or television star, for his long-running CBS television series, "Walker, Texas Ranger."
But prior to that, Chuck was a martial arts star, winning many martial arts championships including being a six-time undefeated World Professional MiddleWeight Karate Champion. Chuck was also a renowned teacher in the martial arts. Some of his students were Steve McQueen, Bob Barker, Priscilla Presley and Donnie & Marie Osmond.
From 1964 to 1968, Chuck won many State, National, and International amateur karate titles. In 1968, Chuck fought and won the World Professional MiddleWeight Karate championships by defeating the World's Top Fighters. He held that title until 1974 when he retired undefeated.
In 1968, Chuck was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame as Fighter of the Year. In 1975, he was inducted as Instructor of the Year and in 1977, Chuck received the honor of Man of the Year.
Chuck is also founder and President of United Fighting Arts Federation with over 2,300 black belts all over the world.
In 1997, Chuck achieved another milestone in his life by being the first man ever in the Western Hemisphere to be awarded an 8th degree Black Belt Grand Master recognition in the Tae Kwon Do system. This was a first in 4,500 years of tradition.
Chuck's intense drive and determination extended beyond his martial arts and acting career. He became an offshore powerboat racer with speeds of 140 miles per hour. In 1991, Chuck with his team and sponsor "Popeye Chicken" won the World Off Shore Powerboat championships. Then he went on to setting a new world record by racing a 38 foot Scarab boat 605 miles across the Great Lakes, from Chicago to Detroit, in 12 hours and 8 minutes.
In 1988, Chuck wrote his autobiography, "The Secret of Inner Strength", for Little Brown Publishing, which became a New York Times Best Seller. He followed up a few years later with a second book, "The Secret Power Within: Zen Solutions to Real Problems", also with Little Brown Publishing.
But Chuck thinks his most rewarding accomplishment was the creation of his Kick-Start Foundation. With the help of President George Bush, Chuck implemented a program teaching the martial arts to 150 high-risk children at M C Williams Middle School in Houston, Texas, as part of the school curriculum. The program was so successful in helping these kids raise their self-esteem and instilling discipline and respect, as well as getting them out of gangs, that the program is now in 30 schools with over 4,200 young boys and girls actively participating.
Family
In 1963, his son Mike was born; a second son, Eric, followed in 1965. After 30 years of marriage, Norris and Holechek divorced in 1988. He married again in 1998, this time to former model Gena O'Kelley, and she delivered twins in 2001: Dakota Alan Norris, a boy, and Danilee Kelly Norris, a girl.
Movie/TV Appearances
1. The Cutter (2005) .... John Shepherd
2. Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire (2005) (TV) .... Capt. Cordell Walker
3. Bells of Innocence (2003) .... Matthew
4. The President's Man: A Line in the Sand (2002) (TV) .... Joshua McCord
5. "Walker, Texas Ranger" .... Cordell "Cord" Walker
- The Final Showdown: Part 1 (2001) TV Episode .... Cordell "Cord" Walker
- The Final Showdown: Part 2 (2001) TV Episode .... Cordell "Cord" Walker
- A Matter of Principle (2000) TV Episode .... Cordell "Cord" Walker
- Way of the Warrior (1999) TV Episode .... Cordell "Cord" Walker
- In Harm's Way: Part 2 (1999) TV Episode .... Cordell "Cord" Walker
(5 more)
6. The President's Man (2000) (TV) .... Joshua McCord
# "Martial Law"
- Honor Among Strangers (2000) TV Episode .... Ranger Cordell Walker
7. "Sons of Thunder"
- Thunder by Your Side (1999) TV Episode .... Ranger Cordell Walker
- Lost & Found (1999) TV Episode .... Ranger Cordell Walker
- Fighting Back (1999) TV Episode .... Ranger Cordell Walker
- Moment of Truth (1999) TV Episode .... Ranger Cordell Walker
8. Logan's War: Bound by Honor (1998) (TV) .... Jake Fallon
9. Forest Warrior (1996) .... McKenna
10. Top Dog (1995) .... Jake Wilder
11. Hellbound (1994) .... Frank Shatter
12. Walker Texas Ranger 3: Deadly Reunion (1994) .... Ranger Cordell Walker
13. Wind in the Wire (1993) (TV)
14. Sidekicks (1992) .... Chuck Norris
15. "De tú a tú"
- Episode dated 26 March 1992 (1992) TV Episode
16. The Hitman (1991/I) .... Cliff Garret/Danny Grogan
17. Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection (1990) .... Col. Scott McCoy
... aka Delta Force 2 (USA: short title)
... aka Delta Force 2: Operation Stranglehold
18. Hero and the Terror (1988) .... Danny O'Brien
19. Braddock: Missing in Action III (1988) .... Col. James Braddock
20. Firewalker (1986) .... Max Donigan
21. The Delta Force (1986) .... Maj. Scott McCoy
... aka Mahatz Ha-Delta (Israel: Hebrew title)
22. Invasion U.S.A. (1985) .... Matt Hunter
23. Code of Silence (1985) .... Eddie Cusack
24. Missing in Action 2: The Beginning (1985) .... Colonel James Braddock
25. Missing in Action (1984) .... Col. James Braddock
26. Lone Wolf McQuade (1983) .... J.J. McQuade
27. Forced Vengeance (1982) .... Josh Randall
28. Silent Rage (1982) .... Sheriff Dan Stevens
29. An Eye for an Eye (1981) .... Sean Kane
30. The Octagon (1980) .... Scott James
31. A Force of One (1979) .... Matt Logan
32. Good Guys Wear Black (1978) .... John T. Booker
33. Breaker! Breaker! (1977) .... John David 'J.D.' Dawes
... aka Breaker, Breaker
... aka Cindy Jo & the Texas Turnaround
34. Slaughter in San Francisco (1974) .... Chuck Slaughter/Chuck Norris
... aka Chuck Norris Vs. the Karate Cop
... aka Huang mian lao hu
... aka Karate Cop
... aka Yellow Faced Tiger
35. The Student Teachers (1973) .... Karate Instructor
... aka College Coeds (USA)
36. Meng long guojiang (1972) .... Colt
... aka Fury of the Dragon (Europe: English title)
... aka Return of the Dragon
.. aka Revenge of the Dragon (USA: cable TV title)
... aka Way of the Dragon
37. The Wrecking Crew (1969) (uncredited) .... Man in the House of 7 Joy
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Life
When you think of Chuck Norris, you either immediately think action movie star (recalling his numerous feature films) or television star, for his long-running CBS television series, "Walker, Texas Ranger."
But prior to that, Chuck was a martial arts star, winning many martial arts championships including being a six-time undefeated World Professional MiddleWeight Karate Champion. Chuck was also a renowned teacher in the martial arts. Some of his students were Steve McQueen, Bob Barker, Priscilla Presley and Donnie & Marie Osmond.
From 1964 to 1968, Chuck won many State, National, and International amateur karate titles. In 1968, Chuck fought and won the World Professional MiddleWeight Karate championships by defeating the World's Top Fighters. He held that title until 1974 when he retired undefeated.
In 1968, Chuck was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame as Fighter of the Year. In 1975, he was inducted as Instructor of the Year and in 1977, Chuck received the
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