Norris leaves behind Hollywood legacy
We lost a legend in the field of martial arts and the entertainment industry, Chuck Norris. On March 19, Norris passed away at the age of 86, but his legacy will live on.
Born March 10,1940, in Ryan, Okla., his birth name was Carlos Ray Norris, and he was later given the nickname “Chuck,” while serving the country in 1958. Norris was part of the U.S. Air Force with the role of “Air Policeman.”
While he was stationed in South Korea, he was introduced to the work of martial arts. This was where he began to learn more about this field and started to build discipline. After working his way up in the martial arts community, he later was requested to work side by side with the dragon himself, Bruce Lee.
Norris accepted the deal to star in the film “The Way of the Dragon” and started to work with Lee. The fight scene in this film was not only legendary, but monumental for Norris and quickly launched him into stardom.
With the success of “The Way of the Dragon,” the Hollywood industry was knocking on Norris’s door, and he would later add more films to his longstanding portfolio. He contributed to other films such as “Delta Force,” “Missing in Action” and “Lone Wolf McQuade.”
Norris was up there with the biggest actions stars ever, planting his foot in the industry. But Norris’s impact stretched far beyond the screen, to generations of fans he showcased discipline, resilience and the belief that anybody could achieve their dreams.
His martial arts schools trained thousands; his memoir on discipline, fitness and personal growth inspired millions. Yet behind the legend was a man known for his humility. Colleagues often described him as soft spoken, generous and loyal.
Fans who met him referred to him as a man who listened more than he talked and shook every hand.
Chuck Norris leaves behind a legacy that will last more than just decades. A legacy built not only on roundhouse kicks and blockbuster films, but on extraordinary character.