Remembering Action Hero Chuck Norris

This is Fresh Air. I'm Dave Davies. Chuck Norris, the martial arts champion turned Hollywood action hero, died last week. He was 86. Norris broke into movies with a cinematic fight to the death against Kung Fu master Bruce Lee in Return of the Dragon.

Norris first learned karate in Korea while serving in the Air Force. Back in California he kept at it and became the world middleweight karate champion, a title he held for six years. He also set up karate academies where he taught several Hollywood celebrities. One of his students, Steve McQueen, encouraged him to pursue a career in acting. Norris went on to make a dozen kung fu films and became a martial arts cult hero.

Then he diversified to become an all around tough guy action star. His films include Code of Silence, Invasion USA, Delta Force, Missing in Action, Parts 1 and 2, and Braddock Missing in Action, Part 3. From 1993 to 2001, he starred in the TV series Walker Texas Ranger, playing a lawman you don't want to mess with. Here he is confronting a couple of bad guys. And you, Walker, I am so sorry about the tragic death of your partner.

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