Fellow action stars Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren and Gina Carano as well as figures as varied as Stephen King, Mario Lopez and Guy Fieri have all taken to social media to remember Chuck Norris, the martial arts champion-turned-actor who died Thursday after being hospitalized in Hawaii. He was 86.
Norris’ family, which announced his death in a statement, wanted to “keep the circumstances private,” but, they said, “please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.”
“He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved. Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives,” they said. “While our hearts are broken, we are deeply grateful for the life he lived and for the unforgettable moments we were blessed to share with him. The love and support he received from fans around the world meant so much to him, and our family is truly thankful for it. To him, you were not just fans, you were his friends.”
Norris, who was encouraged by Steve McQueen to become an actor after he stopped competing in martial arts, was known for his role in the long-running CBS drama Walker, Texas Ranger as well as a series of hit action movies in the ’80s, including as a POW who returns to Vietnam to rescue captured soldiers in 1984’s Missing in Action, which was followed by a 1985 prequel and 1988 sequel.
Shortly after news broke Friday that Norris had died, a number of Hollywood stars and other public figures took to social media to remember him.
Sylvester Stallone wrote on Instagram that he “had a great time working with” Norris, alongside a photo of the two of them together in a scene.
“He was All American in every way,” he added. “Great man and my condolences to his wonderful family.”
Dolph Lungren wrote alongside a photo of the two of them that he “always looked up to [Norris] as a role model,” referring to him as “Someone who had the respect, humility and strength it takes to be a man. We will miss you, my friend.”
Stephen King on shared some of his favorite jokes about Norris’ action prowess before writing on X, “Seriously, I thought he was great. SILENT RAGE scared hell out of my boys…and me.”
Elsewhere on X, Gina Carano wrote, “Rest in peace to a great man, there will never be anyone like him.”
Lorenzo Lamas wrote in part, “My prayers to Gina, Aaron and family. Watch out evil world, there is an angel of consequence at the gates. Chuck Norris doesn’t just get wings, he gets even.”
Norris was also remembered by a number of political figures, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who praised him as a “legend.”
“All of Texas mourns the passing of Chuck Norris,” Abbott wrote on X. “He was not only a martial arts champion, action icon, and the one and only Walker, Texas Ranger, but he electrified generations of conservatives, giving them a passion and voice to fight for the principles that make America the greatest nation on earth. He embodied the toughness, grit, and patriotism that makes Texas supreme. Rest in peace, Chuck.”
And he even received a tribute from Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who shared a photo of the two of them together, calling Norris both a “close personal friend” and “a great friend of Israel.”
“Chuck brought martial arts and the warmth of his character to millions around the world,” Netanyahu wrote. “May his memory be a blessing.”
Read on to see more of what Hollywood is saying about Norris.
