On the morning of Friday, March 20, famed action actor and martial arts champion Chuck Norris passed away in Hawaii, where he had been hospitalized the day before, on Thursday the 19th. He was 86 years old at the time of his tragic, and somewhat unexpected, passing.
Norris’s family issued a statement in the wake of his passing in which it asked the public for privacy about the circumstances of his passing and commented briefly on his life and legacy. The family’s statement was posted to Mr. Norris’s Instagram account on the morning of the 20th.
Beginning the post, the family announced the death and asked for privacy regarding the circumstances, saying, “It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning. While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.”
Adding to that, the family noted how the public will remember Mr. Norris and how it remembers him and his legacy, saying, “To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength. To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family.”
Building on that, they commented on his faith and loving attitude toward his family, saying, “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.”
Then, noting that they are sad about his passing but heartened by the massive amount of love poured his way by fans, the family said, “While our hearts are broken, we are deeply grateful for the life he lived and for the unforgettable moments we were blessed to share with him.”
Further, adding to that part of the statement, the family noted the close connection that the deceased actor had with his fans, and how much those relationships meant to him, saying, “The love and support he received from fans around the world meant so much to him, and our family is truly thankful for it. To him, you were not just fans, you were his friends.”
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Concluding, the family thanked the fan base for all of the love it has sent Mr. Norris’s way, and the prayers for his health and soul, saying, “We know many of you had heard about his recent hospitalization, and we are truly grateful for the prayers and support you sent his way. As we grieve this loss, we kindly ask for privacy for our family during this time. Thank you for loving him with us.”
Though best known for his acting career, which began in 1972 when he was the villain in a Bruce Lee film, Mr, Norris was a serious and well-decorated martial artist. He had black belts in judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, karate, taekwondo and other disciplines, and used those to do his own action scenes in the movies and shows in which he starred, something that helped make him beloved by his dedicated fan base.