Chuck Norris

Chuck Norris biography

In his numerous, seemingly interchangeable potboilers, this sandy-blond, mustached (and often bearded) karate-champ-turnedaction-star doesn't say much. But then, he doesn't have to-his feet do most of the talking. Since making his film debut in The Wrecking Crew (1968), and appearing opposite Bruce Lee in Return of the Dragon (1973), Norris has displayed his soft-spoken, high-kicking persona in a string of violent actioners, many of them made for the Cannon studio. When his Rambo-like vehicle Missing in Action (1984) was successful, he followed Sylvester Stallone's lead by making two more, Missing in Action 2-The Beginning (1985) and Braddock: Missing in Action III (1988). Norris got his only taste of critical acceptance with the urban cop movie Code of Silence (1985), which reportedly had been written as a Clint Eastwood "Dirty Harry" vehicle. Threatened by an eroding audience (and a number of young Turks invading the action arena), Norris took a meaner, more bloodthirsty turn in Hitman (1991), then did a complete turnaround in 1993's Sidekicks playing to a juvenile audience as himself, coaching a young fan. That same year he made his TV debut with a telefilm that launched the series "Walker, Texas Ranger" (1993- ). Norris' brother Aaron has directed him in most of his recent films. Chuck's son Mike is also an actor who appeared in Delta Force 3 (1991).

Trivia

Often trained with Bruce Lee.

6-time World Karate Champion; among those he faced for this title are fellow actors Joe Lewis and Steve Sanders.

He was the karate teacher of father-son actors Steve McQueen and Chad McQueen. The elder McQueen encouraged Norris to pursue a career in movies and television; allegedly, he told Chuck: "If you can't do anything else, there's always acting."

Supporter of the US Republican Party.

Quote

"Violence is my last option."