One of Tinseltown’s most unashamedly devout Christians, hardman Chuck Norris, has entered his eternal rest following a medical emergency in Hawaii where he had one of several homes.
Just days before he had seemed in good health while celebrating his 86th birthday with a video of himself sparring and saying: “I don’t age. I level up.”
His family said: He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved.
Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives.
HE SERVED AS A MILITARY SECURITY GUARD AND BECAME A MARTIAL ARTS MASTER
Born Carlos Ray Norris in Ryan, Oklahoma in 1940, Chuck grew up poor with a God-fearing mother and an alcoholic father who abandoned his family.
Out of high school, Norris joined the US Air Force in 1958 and was deployed to Korea, where he served as a security guard and started learning martial arts.
He was a six-time undefeated World Professional Middleweight Karate champion and founded his own Korean-based American hard style of karate, known sometimes as Chun Kuk Do.
So it was no surprise he rose to acting stardom in martial arts films such as The Way of the Dragon which included an epic fight with kung fu legend Bruce Lee.
CHUCK NORRIS WAS AN ICONIC TOUGH GUY ON BIG AND SMALL SCREENS
Norris became an iconic tough guy through his roles in TV shows like Walker, Texas Ranger and more than 20 movies such as Missing in Action, The Delta Force and Sidekicks.
His legendary toughness became internet lore, leading to countless memes and parodies about his strength and staying power.
Norris was also outspoken about his Christian faith for decades.
Last Christmas, he posted a faith message with his wife Gena, saying: “As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Gena and I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas.”
“May His light guide you, His love comfort you, and His peace fill your heart this season and always.”
CHRISTIAN BACKGROUND OF CHUCK NORRIS
In 2004, he told CBN’s Scott Ross: “I gave my life to the Lord at 12. I was baptised at 12. Then it grew stronger. And I got to go to a crusade for Billy Graham.”
He admits he strayed from his faith for a while.
“Unfortunately, a lot of times in the entertainment industry, sometimes you lose sight of what’s really important in your life. I lost a marriage because of it.”
LOST FAITH REGAINED
In one of the many books he authored, Against All Odds, Chuck Norris openly shared how he and Gena were both brought back to a committed relationship with Christ after realising they shouldn’t be living together without being married.
They repented, and that became the turning point in their lives and relationship.
They tied the knot in 1998 and focused on their faith, reading the Bible together every day.
“I AM HOT FOR THE LORD”
In 2008 he told Liberty University graduates: “I was hot for the Lord, and I still am to this day.”
Norris read aloud the Scripture passage from Proverbs 19 to the graduates before urging them to “Let Him direct your steps,” assuring them: “If you do, you can’t go wrong — I promise you.”
In 2014, he decried what he referred to as “religious neutering” and then-President Barack Obama’s response to it after a Maryland school district canceled all religious holidays from its school calendar.
“UNITED STATES ON A SLIPPERY SLOPE TOWARDS RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE”
The actor warned that the United States was on a “slippery slope” toward religious intolerance.
He expressed disgust that: “We haven’t even hit Thanksgiving yet, and already the war on Christmas is underway.”
Norris took issue with Obama’s reaction to the erasure of “Christian and Jewish references” from “civic calendars,” asking: “Is he crying out in defence of religious liberty and our First Amendment?”
“Nope,” Norris wrote in response to his own question.
“He’s as silent as a church mouse, just as he’s been for the past six years on any such matter. “
“MY MOTHER PRAYED FOR ME ALL MY LIFE THROUGH THICK AND THIN”
in May 2021, Norris wrote an op-ed for WND.com in honour of the 100th birthday of his mother, Wilma Norris Knight, who lived to be 103.
“My mother has prayed for me all my life, through thick and thin.”
“When I was born, I almost died from complications.”
“When nearly losing my soul to Hollywood a few decades ago, she was back home praying for my success and salvation.”
“GOD HAD EVERYTHING TO DO WITH MY LIFE”
“She even prayed for me to find a woman to change my life, and it worked.”
Norris once told CBN: “People come up to me and say: “Chuck, you’re the luckiest guy in the world to be a world karate champion and a movie and TV star.’”
“When they say this to me, I kind of smile because luck had nothing to do with it.”
“God had everything to do with it.”
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