Chuck Norris, the famed actor and martial arts champion, has passed away after a sudden hospitalization in Hawaii.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Norris' family announced his passing, saying that they will "keep the circumstances private."
"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," the family said.
Aside from notable roles on the silver screen like 1972's Way of the Dragon, which Norris starred in with Bruce Lee, he was also known for TV hits like Walker, Texas Ranger, a show where Norris starred as Texas Ranger Sergeant Cordell Walker, a former Marine who lives by the code of the Old West.
Norris was also known for his staunch conservative views, often voicing his support for conservative policies and lawmakers.
On August 16, 1990, he created the Kick Drugs Out of America Foundation, a martial arts character development program non-profit organization, that would later be known as Kickstart Kids. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush helped implement the program in four schools in the Houston area. The program teaches kids the virtuous traits that martial arts has to offer.
"He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved," the family's statement continues. "Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives."
As a cultural icon, Norris became a symbol of unyielding strength, stoicism, and a kind of mythic masculinity that felt both timeless and untouchable. The folklore that grew around him, which was absurd, exaggerated, and often humorous, was never meant to diminish him, however. Instead, it elevated him into a pop culture legend.
Norris was 86.
