On March 20th of this year, the world learned of the passing of the beloved martial-artist and paragon actor Chuck Norris. The circumstances of his death are understandably kept quiet for now to protect the privacy of his family and loved ones. Though it is good for all of us to hear that he was surrounded by love before he passed on the morning of March 19th in Kaua’i, Hawai’i.
Today, I think it would be good for us to have a moment of remembrance, and trace back the early legacy of the legendary man and his accomplishments.
While his name is considerably well known due to his starring in Walker, Texas Ranger, his origins are not as broadly understood. Chuck Norris first appeared widely to the public on the cover of “Black Belt” Magazine in 1967. This was due to the fact that the man had already established himself in the karate world as a three-time champion! Karate was his primary art of mastery, but he also mastered the lesser-known Tang Soo Do and Taekwondo, both of which he would study and instruct. He promptly became recognized by the magazine as a respectable member of the martial arts Hall of Fame, though he would continue his streak and win a total of six world-class karate championships.
During this time, another very respectable martial artist was making his strides through Hollywood: none other than Bruce Lee himself! Now Bruce Lee was not exactly known for considering other people to be on par with him, but in his directorial debut The Way of the Dragon (1972), Chuck Norris was personally invited by Lee to star in the film as Lee’s rival. While Lee ensured the fight scene resulted in his own victory, the fightscene between the two masters trading blow for blow became iconic, not only shaping martial arts in the film world, but marking both Lee and Norris down as legends in martial arts history.
This film was also a way for Norris to plant his feet in the realm of acting securing many other roles. He would become a household name in the mid to late 90’s due to the aforementioned Walker, Texas Ranger. Here, Chuck Norris was able to set himself closer to home (he was after all, from Oklahoma). However, despite being such a star, it never seemed that Norris became jaded by his fame; he remained iconic and an idol throughout all his days, so much so that he became the internet’s reference point when it comes to strength.
Norris remained to be a humble man, and thus many would bow in respect to honor such a figure. After all, he was the man that gave the Average Joes (Dodgeball – 2004) another chance at victory. His career is certainly one to be admired: through discipline and passion, humility and humanity, Chuck Norris chiseled a legacy like a sculpture worth putting on Mount Rushmore.
Vance Redd
Staff Reporter
