7 Kick-Butt Facts About Martial Art Master Chuck Norris
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Chuck Norris, best known for his role as Cordell Walker in the hit CBS TV show Walker, Texas Ranger, was born in Ryan, Oklahoma, on March 10, 1940; he grew up with a rocky home life before moving to Torrance, California as a teen with his mom after his parents divorce. In 1958, shortly after graduating high school, Norris joined the Air Force and was later deployed to Korea as an Air Policeman. Once in Korea, he developed a fascination with martial arts — a practice that would become a significant part of his life and the backbone of his Hollywood career. Upon returning to the U.S. in 1962, Norris opened his karate school, teaching students including Priscilla Presley, Bob Barker and the Osmonds.
Norris began his successful fighting career in 1964, winning many championships before retiring in 1974 — at which point his student and friend Steve McQueen encouraged him to pursue acting.
Here are seven more things you may not know about the action star as he celebrates his 85th birthday.
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During the 1960s, Norris won six world karate titles and earned an eighth-degree black belt in Chun Kuk Do, Taekwondo, Karate, Tang Soo Do, Machado, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Judo. Norris didn’t just master forms of martial arts created by others — he also created two forms of martial arts himself: American Tang Soo Do and the Chuck Norris System (aka Chun Kuk Do). American Tang Soo Do combines Moo Duk Kwan-style Tang Soo Do, Judo, and Karate. Chun Kuk Do is based on Norris’s Tang Soo Do training in Korea during his time in the military.
chucknorrissilvercoin.com
Chuck Norris offers his very own 1 oz silver coin. It’s a limited-edition coin representing Chuck’s 5 Principles for Life: Faith, Family, Fitness, Freedom, and Fight. The coin costs $97.00 and can be bought through his website. Norris and his wife Gena also own a bottled water company called CForce, which is bottled directly at Chuck Norris’ Lone Wolf Ranch, preserving its natural purity. And, of course, he is also known for being a spokesperson of the Total Gym home workout system.
Everett Collection
In the 1972 film Way of the Dragon, Norris acted alongside Bruce Lee in one of the most iconic martial arts showdowns in film. The fight scene was shot illegally in the Roman Colosseum, and the crew bribed Roman officials and snuck cameras in, pretending to be tourists. Even though Norris was the current World Karate Champion, Lee’s character killed him in the scene! The movie became one of Bruce Lee’s highest-grossing films. There has often been speculation if the two ever fought in real life, a fact which Norris has ever confirmed or denied.
In 1996, on the set of Walker, Texas Ranger, Norris had a scene with a large rattlesnake. The first take when according to plan, with all the action occurring safely with no incidents. However, during the second take, the rattlesnake bit Norris, and he had to go to the hospital.
20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection
Chuck’s given name is actually Carlos Ray Norris. During his time at the Lackland Air Force boot camp, a young Hispanic man asked if Norris knew what Carlos meant in English. He said it meant Charles, and that the nickname for Charles is Chuck. All the guys at the boot camp started calling Norris Chuck, and the name stuck ever since.
In 2008, Gameloft released the video game Chuck Norris: Bring on the Pain. In 2012, Flaregames released Non-Stop Chuck Norris, an action RPG game and the second game inspired by the popularity of ‘Chuck Norris facts,’ a series of internet memes about Norris completing impossible acts. Neither game is still available, but Chuck Norris Facts and Chuck Norris Jokes are available on app download stores.
Chuck’s very first TV appearance was on Room 222 in the episode titled “Dreams of Glory” in 1970. Norris played a karate instructor helping Larry (Eric Laneuville) gain confidence from a school bully.
The Total Gym enthusiast has several new films in the works!
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Gena and Chuck Norris Share How Their Six Dogs Keep Them Healthy Ahead of His 85th Birthday
Love is a four-legged word! Gena and Chuck Norris sat down with ET ahead of his 85th birthday on Monday, March 10, to reveal how their six dogs keep them healthy and vibrant.
For starters, the couple is sure to include their four golden retrievers, lab, and corgi in activities on their ranch in Grimes County, Texas.
“We are always hiking and staying active, and our dogs are usually along for the journey. … I love our sunset walks on our ranch with our dogs, family, and any guests we have around after dinner together,” Gena, 55, shares.
“Our dogs make sure we get a lot of exercise,” the actor adds.
In addition to staying fit, the pair also maintain balanced diets filled with nutritious foods.
“While I enjoy an occasional snack like anyone else, my main staples are core nutrients from a variety of all five food groups. … Prioritizing fitness and nutrition keeps me active, even as I’ve entered the golden years. It’s important for me to maintain a healthy body and mind so I can have many happy years with my family,” the martial artist says.
“Our own health has been transformed by making informed choices about our diets and exercise. … It’s incredibly important for us to always eat organic and we have lots of salads with protein in them,” she says.
The two also prioritize feeding their pets high quality ingredients with their premium pet nutrition brand, Lone Wolf Ranch Pets.
“I often say that we must nourish our bodies with mindful choices and extend that care to our pets. … If our pets are thriving, it’s because they’re fueled by the best nutrition we can get our hands on, just like us,” Chuck explains.
“Our intention is to give these dogs high-quality natural food and supplements that make them strong and resilient,” the model continues.
To round out their wellness routines, the co-founders take time to appreciate little moments with their family — dogs included.
“A favorite time for me is when our adult kids or grandkids are hanging out with us in the evenings and watching a good movie in our home theatre with our sleeping pups sprawled out around us. Once in a while, you’ll hear one start snoring and I have to tell my grandkids, ‘It’s not me!’,” Chuck jokes.
As for Gena? “I can’t tell you how many times we’ve come home and have been rejuvenated by the simple loving and excited welcome our pups bring us when we walk through the front door,” she notes.
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