Chuck Norris died on March 19, 2026. He was 86 years old. He had suffered a medical emergency in Hawaii, a state he had been visiting in the days before his death, and was hospitalised before passing away that Thursday morning. A source who had spoken to him just the day before told TMZ he had been working out and was in an upbeat, jovial mood. On March 10, his 86th birthday, he had posted a video to social media of himself defeating an opponent, captioning it: “I don’t age. I level up.” Nine days later, he was gone.
“It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning. While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.
To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength. To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family. 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.”
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.”
Official Family Statement / Verified via Instagram and Facebook
Carlos Ray Norris was born on March 10, 1940, in Ryan, Oklahoma, to Wilma Lee Scarberry and Ray Dee Norris, a World War II Army veteran. His parents divorced when he was young. His mother relocated the family to Prairie Village, Kansas, and later to Torrance, California. By his own account, Norris was a shy, unremarkable teenager with no particular athletic gifts. He did not discover who he was until the United States Air Force sent him to Osan Air Base in South Korea in 1958.
