Highlights:
- Akshay Kumar shared an emotional tribute on social media
- He said Chuck Norris “shaped a part” of his journey
- Norris passed away at the age of 86
- His films inspired many martial artists worldwide
- He leaves behind a legacy in film, TV, and martial arts
Actor Akshay Kumar paid a heartfelt tribute to legendary martial artist and actor Chuck Norris, who passed away at the age of 86. Remembering his early days, Akshay said that watching Norris was not just entertainment, but an important part of his learning.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Akshay shared an old photo of Chuck Norris and wrote an emotional note. He said that growing up as a martial artist, films like Way of the Dragon and Missing in Action had a strong impact on him. He added that Norris’ discipline, strength, and natural screen presence stayed with him over the years. Akshay expressed gratitude, saying that Norris helped shape a part of who he became.
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap also reacted to the news by reposting a tribute and sharing broken heart emojis, showing how deeply Norris’ passing has affected people across the film industry.
Chuck Norris was widely known as a martial arts grandmaster before becoming a global action star. His career included major roles in television and film, especially the popular series Walker, Texas Ranger, where he became known as a strong and fearless character. His screen image made him an icon of toughness and discipline.
Before entering films, Norris achieved great success in competitive martial arts. He made his film debut in 1968 with a small role in The Wrecking Crew. He also had a well-known connection with Bruce Lee. Their friendship and shared passion for martial arts led to one of cinema’s most famous fight scenes in Return of the Dragon, where Bruce Lee fought Norris in Rome’s Colosseum.
Over the years, Norris appeared in more than 20 films, including The Delta Force and Sidekicks. He also showed his lighter side with a comedic role in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. In later years, he made selective appearances, including in The Expendables 2 and the 2024 film Agent Recon. He is also expected to appear in an upcoming project titled Zombie Plane.
Norris passed away on Thursday in what his family described as a sudden but peaceful moment. In a statement, they shared that he was surrounded by loved ones and at peace. They also requested privacy during this time.
He is survived by five children, including two from his first marriage, twins with his wife Gena Norris, and a daughter from an earlier relationship, which he spoke about in his autobiography. Just days before his passing, Norris had celebrated his birthday and posted a sparring video online with the caption, “I don’t age. I level up.”
Chuck Norris leaves behind a powerful legacy that continues to inspire generations of martial artists, actors, and fans around the world.
