Beloved action hero Chuck Norris passed away suddenly just days after his 86th birthday.
“I don’t age. I level up,” he captioned a training video shared via Instagram on March 10. “I’m 86 today! Nothing like some playful action on a sunny day to make you feel young. I’m grateful for another year, good health and the chance to keep doing what I love. Thank you all for being the best fans in the world. Your support through the years has meant more to me than you’ll ever know.”
Just nine days later, the “Walker, Texas Ranger” star died.
What Happened to Chuck Norris?
Norris was in Hawaii when he was hospitalized after suffering an unknown medical emergency on Thursday, March 19.
TMZ reported that “some medical emergency occurred in the last 24 hours on the island of Kauai that landed Chuck in the hospital. We do not know the nature of the emergency; however, we are told Chuck is in good spirits.”
Chuck Norris Passed Away at 86
The iconic action star died suddenly on Thursday, March 19, his family announced via social media the following morning.
“It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning. While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace,” the statement began.
While the cause of death remains unclear, TMZ reported that the martial artist was training just 24 hours before his medical emergency.
“We know many of you had heard about his recent hospitalization, and we are truly grateful for the prayers and support you sent his way,” the family’s statement continued.
Chuck Norris Had a Storied Career
Norris first burst onto the scene after playing Bruce Lee’s nemesis in 1972’s “The Way of the Dragon.”
Holding a black belt in Karate, Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Brazilian jiu jitsu, and judo, Norris became one of the biggest action stars of his time.
He would go on to star in films such as “Breaker! Breaker!,” “Forced Vengeance, and “An Eye for an Eye.”
In 1993, Norris landed the title role in the CBS series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” which ran until 2001. His latest film role came in 2012’s “The Expendables 2,” alongside Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham.
Following his passing, Norris will appear as himself in the upcoming action comedy “Zombie Plane” with Vanilla Ice and Cody Simpson.
