Trivia

Is only one of three Americans to achieve eighth-degree black belt status in tae-kwon-do.

Out of all the Chuck Norris facts, his personal favorite is 'Before the Boogie Man goes to sleep, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.'.

Reader's Digest once noted a story of how Norris, true to his characters, prefers to find a non-violent way to solve a situation. Norris was in a bar once when a customer walked in and said to him, "You're in my seat. Move." Norris complied, and as the customer sat down, he recognized Norris. He then said, "Chuck, you could've kicked my butt if you wanted to. Instead of moving, why didn't you just attack me?" Norris' response: "What would that have accomplished?" Norris later said the experience resulted in him getting a new admirer and a new friend.

Often trained with Bruce Lee.

A website known as "Chuck Norris Facts" has been created as a parody of his career, containing hundreds of absurdly creative statements about his intellect, strength, virility and image, such as 'Chuck Norris once shot down a German fighter plane by pointing at it and yelling "Bang!".' Chuck is not offended by the website, in fact, has said he feels honored to have a website named after him and says he laughs when he reads the facts. He even used one fact in The Expendables 2 (2012): 'Chuck Norris was once bitten by a cobra. After five days of agonizing pain, the cobra finally died.'.

He has a 10th degree black belt in Tang Soo Do, and also an 8th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do...that is, the Korean (or traditional) styles of each.

Is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under the Machado Brothers.

Chuck and his brother, Aaron Norris, were made honorary Texas Rangers by Gov. Rick Perry on December 2, 2010 in Dallas, Texas.

He was the karate teacher of father-son actors Steve McQueen and Chad McQueen. The elder McQueen encouraged Norris to pursue a career in movies and television; allegedly, he told Chuck: "If you can't do anything else, there's always acting."

His voice and drama coach was Jonathan Harris, of Lost in Space (1965) fame. Harris "taught him how to speak," by putting his fingers in Norris's mouth, and stretching the mouth wide open. Chuck names Jonathan as the only man in the world who could get away with doing that to him... which Harris was always proud of.

He was made an honorary Marine in March 2007.

On an episode of Walker, Texas Ranger (1993), his co-star's, Clarence Gilyard Jr., character read the book, "The Secret Power Within," which Norris wrote himself.

A newly-built bridge spanning from Slovakia into neighboring Austria is to be named after Chuck Norris.

Had a daughter, Dianna DeCioli (Dina) out of wedlock in 1964. He saw her for the first time in 1991, when she was 26. Her daughter is married and has three children. Chuck wrote about her in his book "Against All Odds: My Story".

Visited US forces fighting in Iraq. (November 2006)

Although a very vocal conservative Republican and born again Christian, Norris has ruled out running for elected office himself.

He has founded two of his own martial arts: Chun Kuk Do ("the Universal Way") and American Tang Soo Do.

His father Ray was killed in a car accident, shortly after cancer surgery. Part of Ray's throat and chin were removed; a tube was inserted in his trachea to help him breathe. Ray was thrown out of his car in the wreck, and the tube came out. Ray suffocated on the ground because no one at the accident site was aware of the tube.

It is commonly believed that he was offered the role of "Sensei Jon Kreese" in the original The Karate Kid (1984). He reportedly turned it down, claiming he did not want his name connected with such a brutal and vicious character. This is, in fact, an urban legend; Norris himself has disputed it. While appearing on the February 9, 2006 episode of the radio show hosted by Adam Carolla, Norris stated that he was never offered the role at all.

Both Michael Landon and Dan Blocker studied karate under him, as well as Blocker's children.

As a child, his idol and favorite actor was John Wayne. Indeed, their on screen personas bear much in common. Both achieved their highest level of fame playing no nonsense good guys who were incorruptible and did whatever it took to make sure that justice was served and that the bad guys got what they deserved.

He and his wife both serve on the board of the National Council of Bible Curriculum in Public Schools.

He is the Founder of the National Tang-Soo-Do Congress (NTC) and the United Fighting Arts Federation (UFAF). Chuck is also President of the latter.

6-time World Karate Champion; among those he faced for this title are fellow actors Joe Lewis and Steve Sanders.

Was a guest star on The Price Is Right Million Dollar Spectacular (2003) honoring Bob Barker's 80th birthday. Other celebrity guests included Céline Dion, Ray Romano, Charlie Sheen and Larry King.

He has studied Shotokan Karate, Goju-ryu Karate, Shito-ryu Karate, American Kenpo, Enshin kaikan Karate, Kyokushin Karate, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kali, Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do and Hapkido and has integrated all of them into his own unique fighting style which has been called the "Chuck Norris System" or "Chuk Kun Do".

Portrayed by Ray Park in The Legend of Bruce Lee (2008) (aka "The Legend of Bruce Lee") (TV series).

Won in 2006 "The Jewish Humanitarian Man of the Year Award."

Has a karate studio in Norfolk, Virginia.

Participated on the TV show The Contender (2005) with fellow action superstar Sylvester Stallone.

Was to appear in Delta Force 3: The Killing Game (1991), but he withdrew following the helicopter crash during the making of Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection (1990).

12/12/01: Received "Veteran of the Year 2001" honor at the 6th Annual American Veteran Awards.

In 2005 he founded the World Combat League, a full-contact, team-based martial arts competition.

Despite their vast political differences, he is friends with actress and comedienne Whoopi Goldberg. He was so impressed with a performance of hers that he tried, unsuccessfully, to get her a role in his film Invasion U.S.A. (1985).

Once went under Phil McGraw's training, and is his greatest student.

While serving in Japan with the US Air Force (as an MP), Norris sought out a judo studio. He settled for karate classes, because judo would have conflicted with his Air Force duty schedule...One of those career-determining factors, according to Norris's autobiography "The Secret of Inner Strength".

Was the initial choice for the character of Red Forman on the Fox sitcom That '70s Show (1998), but was still filming Walker, Texas Ranger (1993), so he had to turn it down.

Lives in Navasota, Texas with his family. (2009)

He has English, with smaller amounts of Scottish, Welsh, and German, ancestry. He is also said to have Irish and Cherokee ancestry.

Father of Mike Norris and Eric Norris, the latter of whom is a professional stock car driver. Their mother is Diane Holechek. Chuck also has a daughter named Dianna DeCioli (Dina). Dina was born in 1964, due to an extramarital affair when he was stationed in California in the US Air Force. More recently, on August 30, 2001, Chuck and Gena O'Kelly (his second wife) welcomed twins Dakota Alan Norris (boy) and Danilee Kelly Norris (girl).

Is a vocal secessionist.

1/20/01: Attended the first inauguration of President George W. Bush along with fellow longtime Republican supporters Sylvester Stallone and Robert Duvall.

Eldest of three sons born to Ray and Wilma Norris. Chuck's brothers are Wieland Clyde Norris (born July 12, 1943; KIA in Vietnam on June 3, 1970) and Aaron Norris. Aaron is the youngest of the three. Wieland was attached to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division in Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam when he was killed from small arms fire just outside of Fire Support Base Ripcord. He was awarded the Silver Star posthumously and is buried at the Los Angeles National Cemetery.

Publicly condemned The Golden Compass (2007) as anti-Christian.

He is a close friend of President George W. Bush and his father, former President George Bush.

He began training in martial arts while stationed in South Korea during his service in the US Air Force.

Is a close friend of legendary writer and director John Milius, who was an uncredited co-screenwriter of Norris's movie Lone Wolf McQuade (1983). Milius credits this film, in part with inspiring him to craft the similar Extreme Prejudice (1987), four years later.

Release of his book, "Black Belt Patriotism: How to Reawaken America". (2008)

2006: He began writing a column for the right-wing political publication WorldNetDaily. In his columns he has expressed his beliefs that, among other things, evolution doesn't exist, those who are troubled should turn to Christ and "true patriots" would not support a separation of church and state. In addition, he also speaks on behalf of organizations pushing for mandatory prayer in public schools.

Enjoys playing golf and participates in many celebrity golfing events.