Chuck Norris, who became a household name on the television program “Walker, Texas Ranger” in the 1990s, has died. The news of his passing was confirmed by his family, who posted a statement on social media.
“With heavy hearts, our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris, which occurred yesterday morning,” the statement read.
The hospitalization was reported due to an unidentified medical emergency in Hawaii on Thursday, for which the actor’s family thanked fans for their concern and for their prayers.
“While we wish to maintain privacy regarding the circumstances, know that he was surrounded by his family and at peace.”
Norris, 86, was a veteran, world martial arts champion, action hero, and inspiration for internet memes from the early 2000s.
But his legacy goes beyond that, because thanks to karate he was able to help many young people. With the help of then-President George H. W. Bush in 1990, Norris founded Kickstart Kids, an award-winning school program for character development that uses karate to teach life-changing values to middle and high school students, he said at the time.
Today fans bid farewell to one of their favorite actors, and the community loses an ally for peace and nonviolence, which he maintained would be achieved through the discipline of karate.
Chuck Norris Photo/Facebook
