Actor Chuck Norris has died at the age of 86

American actor Chuck Norris died this Friday, aged 86, according to TMZ.

One of the most iconic figures in American popular culture, he was known for his martial arts skills and maintaining an imposing physical shape.

Born on March 10, 1940, in Ryan, Oklahoma, he enlisted in the United States Air Force during his youth, and was assigned to South Korea. It was there that he had his first serious contact with martial arts, starting to train Tang Soo Do, a form of that country.

After returning to the USA, he dedicated himself to training and competition, becoming world middleweight karate champion for six consecutive years (from 1968 to 1974).

At the same time, he founded his own school and combat system, Chun Kuk Do, having trained celebrities such as Steve McQueen, who would later play an important role in encouraging his film career.

The transition to Hollywood began with participation in the film Way of the Dragon (1972), where he starred alongside Bruce Lee in one of the most famous combat scenes in cinema history.

In the following years, he became the protagonist of several action films, such as the series Missing in Action e The Delta Forceconsolidating his tough image.

The great television success, however, arrived with the series Walker, o Ranger do Texas (1993–2001), where he played Cordell Walker, a Texas ranger who fights crime with justice and martial arts skills. The series became extremely popular and reinforced Norris’ reputation worldwide.

In recent decades, with the emergence of social networks, he has become an internet phenomenon thanks to the so-called “Chuck Norris Facts”, exaggerated jokes that portray him as an almost superhuman figure.