Chuck Norris Biography
Chuck Norris (born Carlos Ray Norris) is a Hollywood actor who earned the "Honorary Texan" award in 2017 for his iconic roles in "Walker, Texas Ranger" and "Lone Wolf McQuade." He is a producer, screenwriter, and master of martial arts. Drawing from his personal philosophy, he penned the bestseller "The Secret of Inner Strength: My Story" in 1988. He is the creator of many television programs, owner and publisher of his own magazine. He is an honorary Marine of the USA.
Childhood and Youth
In early spring 1940, Ray Norris, an auto mechanic from Oklahoma, welcomed his firstborn son. He named him Carlos after his close friend and spiritual mentor, Carlos Berry. The full name of the boy was Carlos Ray Norris Jr. He inherited Irish roots from his maternal grandfather, and Native American ones from his father's side.
In 1956, their mother divorced their absent father to marry widower George Knight. Knight already had three children of his own, but as Carlos would later recall, he cared for his stepsons and encouraged them to get involved in sports.'My father, a Cherokee Indian, abandoned our family when my brothers and I were still very young. We were raised by two amazing women – our grandmother and mother, both very religious women,' Norris later said in one of his numerous interviews.
Service in the U.S. Air Force
At 18, Carlos enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at a base in South Korea. Early in his service, he broke his shoulder. Bored out of his mind in the hospital, he snuck out and explored the surrounding areas. In a Korean village, he witnessed two fighters going at it with their hands and feet. He was blown away by the lightning-fast pace and incredible precision of their strikes. What stuck with Norris was the fighters' raw athleticism and mind-blowing flexibility.
He returned to America with a black belt in taekwondo and a brown belt in judo. The shy, insecure kid had transformed into a confident warrior.It was during these years that, for his ability to instantly demolish opponents, he got the nickname Chuck from his colleagues (full version - Ground Chuck).
Sports, Marriage, First Steps in Cinema
Returning to the States, Norris began working at the Northrop Aircraft factory, continued studying martial arts, and married his high school friend Dianne Holechek, who rode with him in his first car.
Acting Career
Following his debut in Bruce Lee's first Hollywood film, Norris landed the main villain role of Chuck Slaughter in Wei Lo's Hong Kong action film "Huang mian lao hu." He then landed the leading role of J.D. in Don Hulette's crime thriller "Breaker! Breaker!".
Chuck Norris's Personal Life
After more than thirty years of marriage to his high school sweetheart Dianne Holechek and raising three children together, Norris divorced. He maintained good relationships with both Dianne and their grown children.A few years later, Norris found new love with model and designer Gina O'Kelley, whom he met by chance in Dallas. Chuck was 58, and Gina was 25. The actor later confessed it was love at first sight. Both had been married before, but their connection was so strong that they soon wed. In 2001, they welcomed twins via IVF – a boy Dakota and a girl Danilee. Norris was happy.
Norris turned to independent experts who believed Gina had been poisoned by the contrast dye used in MRIs. Particularly sensitive patients can suffer serious reactions to gadolinium, a fact allegedly known to pharmaceutical companies but kept secret due to potential billion-dollar losses.I saw death in her eyes. I saw her dying and I said you know I've got to do something.
Chuck Norris Now
Missionary work has become a central focus for the legendary Texas Ranger. The actor is also deeply involved in politics - Norris supports conservative causes and has been vocal in his opposition to same-sex marriage. Chuck is also a strong advocate for Second Amendment rights.
