Chuck Norris is an American martial artist, film producer, and actor who first gained fame in the 1970s for his roles in martial arts films such as Good Guys Wear Black and Breaker! Breaker!. In the 1980s and 1990s, Norris became well-known for his starring role in the Walker, Texas Ranger television series. In addition to his acting career, Norris is also a successful businessman and philanthropist. Norris has written several books on his Christian faith and released a line of fitness products and an exercise video.
As of 2022, Chuck Norriss net worth is $70 million, making him one of the wealthiest actors in Hollywood. Norris has amassed his fortune through a successful career in film and television and his business ventures. Norris has also made several lucrative endorsement deals over the years.
Early Life
Chuck Norris or Carlos Ray Norris in real life was born on March 10, 1940, in Ryan, Oklahoma. Chuck Norris father, Ray Norris, was a World War II veteran who worked as an oil field driller. His mother, Wilma Norris, was a homemaker.
Norris has two older brothers, Wieland Clyde Norris and Aaron Norris. Norris began studying martial arts when he was just 18 years old. He began training in Tang Soo Do, a form of Korean Karate, before eventually earning a black belt in Chun Kuk Do, which he developed himself.
In 1958, Chuck Norris enlisted in the United States Air Force and was first stationed at Osan Air Base in South Korea as an Air Policeman. During this time, he became curious about martial arts and eventually began training.
Later, Norris moved back to the United States and served at March Air Force Base in California. Even after being discharged from the Air Force in the summer of 1962, he didn’t stop training in martial arts.
After quitting the police force, Chuck Norris submitted an application to join the Torrance, California, force. After that, he established a martial arts school and competed in tournaments as a paid professional.
In 1967, Norris established himself as a top contender among American martial artists. In June of that year, he knocked out a then-record seven foes. Norris also trained a number of famous people, including Donny and Marie Osmond, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steve McQueen, and Priscilla Presley, in his several karate schools during this time.
Television Career
Although Norris had been in a film once before, it was not until 1972’s Way of the Dragon that he truly captured the public’s imagination (also known as Return of the Dragon in the United States). It featured a combat scene between Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee, two of the biggest names in martial arts action, and it took place in the Colosseum in Rome. In 1977’s action film Breaker! Breaker! Norris made his debut as a leading man.
In flicks like Good Guys Wear Black and Forced Vengeance, audiences liked watching him get revenge on the bad guys. In the 1984 film Missing in Action, Norris played a former prisoner of war who returned to Vietnam to rescue his fellow service members. He made this and its sequels for his younger brother Wieland, who was murdered in Vietnam.
In addition to working with renowned tough guy Lee Marvin on the military action movie The Delta Force, Norris garnered favorable reviews for his cop movie Code of Silence (1985). (1986). The early 1990s saw a decline in Norris’ popularity at the box office.
He stopped creating successful films and transitioned to television with Walker, Texas Ranger. Norris portrayed the heroic cop Cordell Walker for eight years. At the time of its cancellation in 2001, the show enjoyed widespread popularity and solid ratings. Few acting roles have come Norris’ way since then. He has also done voiceover work for infomercials promoting fitness equipment.
Business Ventures
In addition to his successful acting career, Chuck Norris has also made a fortune through his business ventures. In the early 1990s, Norris founded the World Karate Union and began franchising his chain of karate schools, known as Chuck Norris Karate Colleges. He has also licensed his name for a line of fitness equipment and a variety of products, including shirts, sunglasses, and video games.
Writing Career
Carlos Ray Chuck Norris, who is known for his deeper thoughts, has penned a number of books. His autobiography, The Secret of Inner Strength, was published in 1988 and became an instant bestseller. It wasn’t until a few years later that Norris released his self-help book, The Secret Power Within Zen Solutions to Real Problems.
He also wrote several books on various subjects, including martial art, fitness, philosophy, Christian faith, politics, western fiction, and biography. In 1975, he published his debut book. The book Winning Tournament Karate detailed the fundamentals of competition preparation for karateka of all ranks, including conditioning, fighting form drills, one-step sparring techniques, and the execution of rapid strikes.
In 2005, in unprecedented technological development and the widespread availability of the Internet, Chuck Norris unexpectedly rose to prominence on the web. He created quite a stir with the amusing Chuck Norris Facts, a document that discloses what fiction is and is not in stories about him and his career. This current fad has spawned two video games and six novels, two of which are New York Times bestsellers.
Philanthropy
Norris has supported several causes for quite some time, including the United Way and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In 1992, with the help of then-President George H.W. Bush, Norris started his nonprofit called Kickstart. Middle schoolers can join Kickstart for martial arts classes to help them grow in confidence and self-control.
Norris, a staunch conservative, has volunteered for Republican causes. In the 1988 presidential election, he voted for Bush, and in the 2008 Republican primary, he backed Mike Huckabee. Norris, a staunch defender of the Second Amendment’s protection of the right to keep and bear arms in the United States, has joined the NRA in opposing various gun control measures.
Real Estate and Cars
Norris spent $1.2 million on a Mediterranean ranch-style home in Dallas’ Northwood Hill in 2013. Additionally, in 1995, he used the studio space in this house to film the TV series “Walker Texas Ranger,” a crime-shooting action drama. This luxurious mansion has everything you want, including five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a theater, a pool, and a gym.
In addition, this spacious ranch-style home is estimated to be 7,362 square feet in size. Additionally, in 2013, he sold a gorgeous home in North Tustin, California, for $3.5 million.
It’s no secret that Chuck Norris is a huge car nut and collector in Hollywood. The American actor’s first car was a 1988 Austin Mini Cooper that cost $284,000. Additionally, he drives a lovely Honda CRV, earning about $26,145.
Chuck drives a Chevrolet Suburban, which will set you back around $65,500. The 2000 Lincoln Navigator, one of his favorite vehicles, costs $46,410. As a matter of fact, he owns three of the world’s most costly cars.
First, a classic Ford Expedition retails for around $74,000. Second, he dropped a cool $295,000 on a 1967 Aston Martin DB6 limited edition. Last but not least, Chuck has a historic car with a starting price of $315,000-a Rolls Royce Ghost.
Endorsements
One of the most famous action stars in the United States, Chuck Norris, has signed numerous endorsement deals with major corporations. The iconic American actor has become the face of firearms manufacturer Glock.
He also serves as the Glock Company’s principal spokesperson. However, his followers strongly disapproved of his decision to support the firearms industry. Along with Christie Brinkley, Norris was featured in a series of cable TV advertisements for Total Gym’s line of home workout equipment.
In 2010, he did a commercial for the Czech branch of the telecommunications firm T-Mobile, which had previously backed him in the country.
In 2011, he also appeared in a commercial for the online role-playing game World of Warcraft.
The American actor was also featured in advertising for the Polish bank BZ WBK, with which he had signed a contract. Norris has also starred in a commercial for the soft drink Mountain Dew.
On March 10, 2021, Goldco, a leading provider of Precious Metals, released a statement announcing an endorsement deal with Chuck. Norris represented “Action Jeans” at the beginning of the 1980s.
Due to the added pliability of the fabric in the crotch, he marketed these denim pants as “karate jeans,” ideal for performing kicks.
Personal Life
Norris has been married twice. He has three kids from his first marriage to Dianne Kay Holechek. They split up in 1988. In 1998, Norris wed Gena O’Kelley, and the couple welcomed twins into the world three years later.
Norris has five children in total, including three sons (Mike Norris, Dakota Alan Norris, and Eric Norris) and two daughters (Danilee Kelly Norris and Dina Norris). Norris is a devout Christian and has said that his faith has helped him overcome many difficult situations in his life.
In his free time, Norris enjoys racing offshore in powerboats. In 1997, he made history as the first male in the Western Hemisphere to achieve the rank of 8th-degree Black Belt Grand Master.
After years of helping the military and, particularly, wounded veterans, Norris was appointed an honorary U.S. Marine in 2007. He is also an honorary member of the United States Air Force. Norris has used his celebrity status to bring attention to several causes over the years.
Awards and Nominations
Chuck Norris has been nominated for several awards during his illustrious career. This include:
- National Defense Service Medal
- Korea Defense Service Medal
- Air Force Longevity Service Award
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
- BMI TV Music Award
- Golden Boot
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Dianne Holechek?
A: Dianne Holechek is Norris’s ex-wife. The pair were married from 1958 to1988 and had three children together.
Q: Did Chuck Norris jokes originate from the internet?
A: The origin of Chuck Norris’s jokes is unknown, but it is speculated that they started appearing on the internet in the early 2000s.
Q: What is Chuck Norris’s net worth?
A: According to Celebrity Net Worth, Chuck Norris’s net worth is $70 million.
Q: What is Chuck Norris’s ethnicity?
A: Chuck Norris is of Irish, English, and Scottish descent.
Q: Does Harrison Ford and Chuck Norris get along?
A: Yes, the two have been friends for many years. In fact, Ford was the one who suggested Norris for the role of Walker in Walker, Texas Ranger.
Q: Which military branch was Chuck Norris in?
A: Norris was never in the military, but he is an honorary U.S. Marine and an honorary member of the United States Air Force.
Final Words
There you have it! Everything you need to know about Chuck Norris’s net worth and how he made his fortune. The action star has had a long and successful career in Hollywood, appearing in many iconic films and TV shows. He is also a devout Christian and has used his celebrity status to bring attention to a number of causes over the years. Norris is a true American legend!