Chuck Norris is a renowned actor, martial artist, and producer, best known for his starring roles in action films such as The Hitman, The Delta Force, and Missing in Action.
Born in Ryan, Oklahoma, Norris was the eldest of three children to Wilma (Scarberry) and Ray Norris, a truck driver, mechanic, and bus driver. His family moved to Torrance, California, when he was 12, and he attended North Torrance High School from 1955 to 1958.
Norris joined the Air Force after high school and was stationed in Korea, where he began studying the Asian martial art of Tang Soo Do. After returning home, he worked for Northrop Aviation and moonlighted as a karate instructor. Two years later, he was teaching full-time and running multiple martial-arts schools, with notable students including Steve McQueen, Priscilla Presley, and the Osmonds.
Norris's fight career spanned from 1964 to 1974, during which he won numerous titles, including the National Karate Championships, All-Star Championships, World Middleweight Karate Championship, and more. He compiled a fight record of 65-5, with wins over champions Joe Lewis, Skipper Mullins, and others.
After retiring from professional fighting, Norris turned to acting, incorporating his martial-arts knowledge into his projects. He is also the author of the books "The Secret of Inner Strength" and "The Secret Power Within - Zen Solutions to Real Problems". Norris is involved with various charities, including the Funds for Kids, Veterans Administration National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans, and Make-a-Wish Foundation.
When not filming, Norris resides on a ranch.
