Long before his alleged feats of superhuman strength were immortalized as internet joke fodder, Chuck Norris was a champion martial artist with legitimate fighting skills.
Plenty of celebrities took notice, training alongside Norris, who died Thursday at age 86. The actor’s family confirmed his passing via social media, but didn’t reveal an official cause of death.
The star of movies such as The Way of the Dragon (1972) with Bruce Lee and later the TV series Walker, Texas Ranger, Norris’s first love was karate. He trained a number of notable clients, including Priscilla Presley, Marie Osmond, and Bob Barker.
Here’s what we know about Norris and some of his most memorable training stories.
How Did Chuck Noris Become a Martial Arts Expert?
Chuck Norris, born in Ryan, Oklahoma, on March 10, 1940, moved with his family to Torrance, California, at age 12. He joined the Air Force after high school and, while deployed to Korea, began training in martial arts such as judo and Tang Soo Do, according to PBS News.
Following his honorable discharge in 1962, he opened his own martial arts studio, which expanded to a chain. Eventually, Norris oversaw more than 30 studios.
Norris not only taught martial arts, but competed. He was a six-time World Professional Middleweight Karate Champion. He was also the first man to win the World Professional Karate Championship, according to the United Fighting Arts Federation, which Norris founded.
Why Did Chuck Norris Train Priscilla Presley?
One of his most famous students was Priscilla Presley, the ex-wife of legendary rock ‘n’ roll singer Elvis Presley. According to Norris’s 2007 essay for WorldNetDaily, Priscilla personally asked for lessons during her marriage to Elvis and worked with him at his Sherman Oaks studio.
Norris said that because Priscilla had a background in ballet, she had an advantage and could more easily execute high kicks. He claimed she even asked to work out in high heels because they were what she typically wore.
“Priscilla has many of the qualities I value in a person. She is open and has a positive attitude toward life,” Norris wrote. “She was a great reflection in yesteryear of what we see today—women training and competing with equal diligence and fortitude to men.”
Presley didn’t forget her instruction, and was one of the celebrities who paid tribute to Norris after news of his death. “I’m so sad to hear that my Karate instructor and friend Chuck Norris has passed away. He will be forever missed,” Presley posted on Instagram.
Did Chuck Norris Break Bob Barker’s Ribs?
While Norris generally helped his celebrity clients stay in shape and improve their defensive skills, there was at least one session that got a little out of hand.
Bob Barker, the longtime host of popular game show The Price Is Right, took classes with the actor for at least eight years—and claimed Norris injured him during one of their sparring sessions.
“He kicked me in the ribs, and it hurt, a lot, but it continued to hurt and his brother was over in another couple of days and he kicked me in the other side, and it also hurt,” Barker explained during a show taping. “Eventually, I went to the doctor and I was X-rayed, and the doctor came back and said, ‘Bob, I can see why you’re uncomfortable.’ He said you have two cracked ribs on each side.”
Barker also referenced his training with Norris during a 2009 guest appearance on WWE’s Monday night Raw television program, humorously delivering karate chops to wrestler Chavo Guerrero.
Why Did Chuck Norris Start Acting?
Norris retired from martial arts competition in 1974, and financial issues threatened the closure of his schools.
Seeing his friend unsure what to do next, actor Steve McQueen suggested Norris give acting a try. He immediately rejected the idea, but McQueen pressed him to think positively.
“I had no experience, I’d never even done a high school play. And here I’m trying to jump into the acting field,” Norris told the Los Angeles Times in 1988. “If I looked at it in a negative way, I would have … given up. But from training myself over the years to think positively and to realize that if there was a will there was a way, I was able to achieve success. And by thinking if I could project a certain image on the screen, maybe that would overcome my inability as an actor at this point in time.”
By 1982, Norris had made 10 films and began garnering more attention with his performance in Lone Wolf McQuade. Within a few years, he was a bona fide action star.
Thanks to McQueen’s advice, Norris continued to appear in movies for decades, making memorable appearances in the 2004 sports comedy Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story and 2012 action thriller The Expendables 2. His last credited role was the 2024 movie Agent Recon.
Tyler Piccotti joined the Biography.com staff as an Associate News Editor and is now the News and Culture Editor. He previously worked as a reporter and copy editor for a daily newspaper recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors. In his current role, he shares the true stories behind your favorite movies and TV shows and profiles rising musicians, actors, and athletes. When he's not working, you can find him at the nearest amusement park or movie theater and cheering on his favorite teams.
