Chuck Norris Biography: Wife, Net Worth, Age, Movies, Books, Photos, Wikipedia, TV Shows, Children

Chuck Norris is a legendary martial artist and actor who has starred in numerous action films and T.V. shows.

He is also a writer, a conservative Christian, and a supporter of the Republican Party. He is widely known for his impressive fighting skills, tough-guy image, and internet meme status.

Profile

• Full name: Carlos Ray Norris
• Nickname: Chuck
• Date of birth: March 10, 1940
• Age: 84 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Ryan, Oklahoma, U.S.A.
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Martial artist, actor, writer
• Height: 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
• Parents: Wilma and Ray Norris
• Siblings: Wieland and Aaron Norris
• Spouse: Dianne Holechek (1958-1989), Gena O’Kelley (1998-present)
• Children: Mike, Eric, Dina, Dakota, and Danilee Norris
• Relationship status: Married
• Net worth: $70 million

Early Life and Education

Now 84 years old, Chuck Norris was born on March 10, 1940, in Ryan, Oklahoma, to Wilma and Ray Norris. He was the eldest of three sons.

His father was a World War II veteran, a mechanic, a bus driver, and a truck driver. His mother was a homemaker. Norris had a mixed ancestry of Irish, English, and Cherokee.

He grew up in a poor and rural area, where he faced bullying and racism. As a child, he was shy and introverted and did not excel in academics or sports.

Norris joined the Air Force after graduating from high school in 1958. He was stationed at Osan Air Base in South Korea, where he learned martial arts, namely Tang Soo Do and Taekwondo.

He earned his black belt in both disciplines and created his style, Chun Kuk Do. He returned to the U.S. in 1962 and worked as an air policeman at March Air Force Base in California. He was discharged from the Air Force in 1966.

Personal Life

Chuck Norris has been married twice and has five children. He married his first wife, Dianne Holechek, in 1958, when he was 18 and she was 17. They had two sons, Mike and Eric, who became actors and martial artists.

However, their marriage was strained by Norris’s frequent absences due to his film career. They also faced a scandal when Norris fathered a daughter, Dina, with another woman in 1963. Dina did not meet her father until she was 26 years old. Norris and Holechek divorced in 1989 after 30 years of marriage.

Norris married his second wife, Gena O’Kelley, in 1998. She is a former model and actress and 23 years younger than Norris. They had twins, Dakota and Danilee, in 2001.

They live on a ranch in Navasota, Texas, where they raise cattle and horses. Norris is a devout Christian and has written several books on his faith. He is also a philanthropist and supports various causes, such as veterans, children, and martial arts.

Career

Chuck Norris started his career as a martial artist and won many championships and titles. He was the first Westerner to earn the rank of 8th-degree black belt grandmaster in Taekwondo.

He also trained with other famous martial artists, such as Bruce Lee, Gene LeBell, and Bob Wall. He opened his karate schools and taught celebrities like Steve McQueen, Priscilla Presley, and Donny Osmond.

Norris made his acting debut in 1969 in the film The Wrecking Crew. He gained fame and recognition after starring in The Way of the Dragon (1972), where he fought Bruce Lee in the Colosseum.

He became a leading action star, appearing in films such as Breaker! Breaker! (1977), Good Guys Wear Black (1978), The Octagon (1980), An Eye for an Eye (1981), Lone Wolf McQuade (1983), Missing in Action (1984), Invasion U.S.A. (1985), The Delta Force (1986), Firewalker (1986), and The Expendables 2 (2012).

He also starred in the T.V. series Walker, Texas Ranger from 1993 to 2001, playing a tough and moral lawman.

He has also done voice acting, video games, and commercials. Norris also has published books on martial arts, philosophy, politics, Christianity, and fiction.

Some of his books are The Secret of Inner Strength (1988), The Secret Power Within: Zen Solutions to Real Problems (1996), Black Belt Patriotism: How to Reawaken America (2008), and The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book: 101 of Chuck’s Favorite Facts and Stories (2009).

Awards

Chuck Norris has received many awards and honors for his achievements and contributions. Some of them are:

• Martial Arts Hall of Fame (1989).
• Golden Boot Award (1992).
• Veteran of the Year Award (2001).
• Texas Ranger Hall of Fame (2010).
• Lifetime Achievement Award from WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival (2013).
• Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Liberty University (2015).
• Honorary Texan (2017).

Net Worth

According to several sources, Chuck Norris’s net worth is estimated at $70 million.

He earned his wealth from his successful career as a martial artist, actor, writer, and producer. He also owns several properties, such as his ranch in Texas, his California house, and his Hawaii villa.

Controversy

Chuck Norris has been involved in some controversies, such as:

• Endorsing controversial products, such as the Total Gym exercise machine, the Gazelle Freestyle, and the Ab Force belt, were accused of false advertising and deceptive marketing.
• Making homophobic remarks, such as criticizing the inclusion of gay characters in T.V. shows, opposing same-sex marriage, and supporting the Boy Scouts’ ban on gay members and leaders.
• Suing his publisher, Penguin Group, for $20 million, claiming that they damaged his reputation by publishing The Truth About Chuck Norris: 400 Facts About the World’s Greatest Human, which parodied his internet meme fame.
• Spreading conspiracy theories, such as claiming that President Barack Obama was not born in the U.S., that the U.N. was plotting to create a one-world government, and that chemtrails were poisoning the atmosphere.

Social Media

• Instagram: @chucknorris
• Twitter: @chucknorris

Filmography

• The Wrecking Crew
• The Way of the Dragon
• Slaughter in San Francisco
• Breaker! Breaker!
• Good Guys Wear Black
• A Force of One
• The Octagon
• An Eye for an Eye
• Silent Rage
• Forced Vengeance
• Lone Wolf McQuade
• Missing in Action
• Missing in Action 2: The Beginning
• Code of Silence
• Invasion U.S.A.
• The Delta Force
• Firewalker

Books

Chuck Norris has written the following books:

• Winning Tournament Karate
• Toughen Up! The Chuck Norris Fitness System
• The Secret of Inner Strength
• The Secret Power Within Zen Solutions to Real Problems
• Against All Odds: My Story
• The Justice Riders
• A Threat to Justice
• Black Belt Patriotism: How to Reawaken America