Chuck Norris has passed away at age 86, his family announced via a statement on the actor’s Instagram. The martial artist turned action star leaves behind a unique legacy in entertainment history. He became a cultural phenomenon whose influence stretched from classic kung fu films to late-night TV and internet memes that made his name synonymous with toughness.
Long before the jokes, Norris built his name through real-world achievements. A champion martial artist, he transitioned into Hollywood and became one of the defining action stars of the 1980s and 1990s. His most notable role was the titular character in the CBS hit Walker, Texas Ranger, which ran for nine seasons.
Then the internet gave him a second life, with “Chuck Norris Facts” spreading his myth in exaggerated, joke-filled form. That meme culture kept him in the public conversation for years and helped introduce him to a younger generation that may not have grown up on his films or shows.
In one of the earliest examples of a meme spilling into mainstream culture via network TV, his larger-than-life persona became a gag on an NBC late-night staple. In 2002, Late Night with Conan O’Brien began a recurring bit featuring the Walker, Texas Ranger Lever. O’Brien would pull a lever, triggering a random, at times absurd clip from Walker, making audiences explode with laughter. In 2009, Norris leaned into the lore of his virality and authored “The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book: 101 of Chuck’s Favorite Facts and Stories,” which also explained his code of life.
Norris didn’t just dominate the late 20th century as an action star; his legacy evolved with culture, turning him into one of the internet’s earliest folk heroes. If you want to revisit his career, these films and shows highlight why Norris became both a star and a legend.
Walker, Texas Ranger (1993-2001)
Norris’ defining TV role turned him into a household name. As Cordell Walker, he blended martial arts with crime drama, creating a long-running hit that still resonates with fans today. Justice, roundhouse kicks, and dramatic cliffhangers were peak Chuck Norris and a formula that helped define ‘90s action TV.
Where to Watch Walker, Texas Ranger: Philo | Pluto TV | The Roku Channel
The Way of the Dragon (1972)
The Way of the Dragon, also known as Return of the Dragon in the U.S., was Norris’ breakout role. Starring, written, produced, and directed by Bruce Lee, he and Norris had one of the most famous fight scenes ever filmed. The pair of martial arts icons created a cinematic cornerstone during their epic Colosseum battle, which would go on to inspire several future Chuck Norris facts.
Where to Watch The Way of the Dragon: YouTube
Code of Silence (1985)
This neo-noir action thriller proved that Norris was more than just a karate-action star. Years before he would become Walker in the CBS show, Norris proved he could anchor a gritty cop story, instead of his typical action-packed, brawl-heavy features. If you want to enjoy Norris with range, add this one to your streaming lineup tonight.
Where to Watch Code of Silence: Plex | Prime Video | Tubi | Pluto TV
Invasion U.S.A. (1985)
Norris proved he could be a one-man army in classic Cold War-style action. Invasion didn’t have the range of Code of Silence, but it is a peak Chuck film that exemplifies the brand the star’s name would go on to carry. Calm, lethal, and one step ahead, Norris takes on an invasion threat in your typical ’80s action film.
Where to Watch Invasion U.S.A.: Prime Video | Tubi | Pluto TV
Lone Wolf McQuade (1983)
In what would define the later Texas Ranger version of his Cordell Walker persona, Norris played J.J. McQuade, a lone lawman up against arms smugglers and a dangerous criminal network. This film served as the blueprint for the tough, independent, unstoppable, solitary hero which turned him into a global folk hero on the World Wide Web.
Where to Watch Lone Wolf McQuade: Prime Video | Plex | Tubi | Pluto TV
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
Though a cameo appearance as himself, Norris had become a pop-culture icon who was fully in on the punchline by the time Dodgeball hit theaters. His cameo is one of the movie’s most memorable gags, and it helped introduce him to a younger audience that knew him as a meme as much as a movie star.
Where to Watch Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story: Hulu | Fubo | DIRECTV
The Expendables 2 (2012)
In a late-career action victory lap, Norris joined a stacked ensemble of action stars and got to play directly into his own legend, including a wink at the Chuck Norris Facts era. The movie even references the meme style that made him internet-famous, which made him feel like a living Easter egg. The appearance was like a celebration of both his past as an action-movie legend and his modern pop-culture status.
Where to Watch The Expendables 2: Netflix
Missing in Action Franchise
In one of his defining 1980s action hits, Missing in Action solidified Chuck Norris’ status as a top-tier tough guy, with the likes of Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and others. The movie’s success was strong enough to launch a franchise, including the prequel Missing in Action 2: The Beginning, the following year. The franchise ended with the final installment, 1988’s Braddock: Missing in Action III.
Where to Watch the Missing in Action franchise: Fubo | MGM+ | DIRECTV | Tubi | Pluto TV