Christian action hero Chuck Norris dead at 86 

Chuck Norris, the actor, cultural icon and outspoken Christian, died Thursday, his family said. He was 86.

Norris, who was the inspiration for numerous jokes about his supposed invincibility, “was surrounded by his family and was at peace,” reads a statement his family posted on his Instagram account.

He had reportedly been hospitalized in Hawaii earlier in the week, but no further details were available and his family said it wanted to keep the circumstances surrounding his death private.

The post described both his reputation as “a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength” and his devotion to faith and family.

“He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved. Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives.”

Norris rose to fame after sparring with Bruce Lee in 1972’s The Way of the Dragon, launching a career that included multiple action films and a beloved role as Sgt. Cordell Walker on “Walker, Texas Ranger,” which ran for nine seasons.

The show ended in 2001, but a 2004 skit on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” may have helped bolster his reputation for invincibility – and toughness.

Those jokes included lines about him having super strength or being able to cheat death.

Some examples of the humor include:

• Chuck Norris doesn’t do push-ups; he pushes the Earth down.
• When the boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.
• Chuck Norris’ tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.
• Chuck Norris counted to infinity – twice.

Christian faith

While Norris accepted the jokes, even reciting one about a cobra dying after biting him in 2012’s The Expendables 2, he was serious about his faith.

Raised by an alcoholic father and a prayer warrior mother, he began a personal relationship with Jesus Christ at a young age, then rededicated his life at a Billy Graham crusade as a young adult. His faith was his bedrock and anchor, including when his wife experienced complications with their unborn twins.

“I had earned millions of dollars over my lifetime. I’d been a friend to several presidents, yet all the money in my bank account couldn’t help me now,” he wrote in his 2004 autobiography, Against All Odds: My Story, describing how he relied on God in that circumstance.

While Norris couldn’t cheat death forever in this world, Christians believe he is alive together with Jesus in the next, able to say with the Apostle Paul: “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

Chuck Norris died, but he is very much alive. And that is no joke.