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Chuck Norris is familiar to fans worldwide as the star of action films
such as The Hitman (1991),
The Delta Force (1986) and
Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection (1990).
He also starred in
Missing in Action (1984) and
its sequels, Firewalker (1986) and
Sidekicks (1992). He was an executive
producer of
Walker, Texas Ranger (1993)
as well as the star.
Chuck Norris was born in Ryan, Oklahoma, to Wilma (Scarberry) and Ray
Norris, who was a truck driver, mechanic, and bus driver. The eldest of
three children, he helped his mother raise his two younger brothers in
Torrance, CA, where his family moved when he was 12. Norris attended
North Torrance High School from its inception in September, 1955 until
his graduation in June, 1958. He is one of several storied alumni from
the school. Other NHS alumni include Bob Hite (1943-1981), who was the
lead singer of "Canned Heat," Chris Demaria, who was a professional
baseball player in the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers
organizations, Chris Mortensen, an analyst with ESPN, Hip-Hop DJ
"Key-Kool" (Kikuo Nishi), and Wee-Man (Jason Acuna) of "JackAss fame."
Norris joined the Air Force after graduating from high school. During a
stint in Korea, he began to study the Asian martial art of Tang Soo Do.
After returning home, he worked for Northrop Aviation and moonlighted
as a karate instructor. Two years later he was teaching full-time and
running a number of martial-arts schools. His students included
Steve McQueen,
Priscilla Presley and the Osmonds.
Norris's fight career lasted from 1964-1974. Norris started off by
losing his first three tournaments but, by 1966, he was almost
unbeatable. Among the numerous titles he won were The National Karate
Championships (1966), All-Star Championships (1966), World Middleweight
Karate Championship (1967), All-American Karate Championship (1967),
Internationals (1968), World Professional Middleweight Karate
Championship (defeating Louis Delgado on 24 November 1968),
All-American Championship (1968), National Tournament of Champions
(1968), American Tang Soo Championship, and the North American Karate
Championship. Norris compiled a fight record of 65-5 with wins over
champions Joe Lewis, Skipper Mullins, Arnold Urquidez,
Ronald L. Marchini, Victor Moore,
Louis Delgado, and Steve Sanders. Of the five men to beat Norris, three
were Allen Steen, Joe Lewis, and Norris's last career defeat to Louis
Delgado in 1968. Norris retired as undefeated Professional Full-Contact
Middleweight Champion in 1974.
Norris, who was urged to get into acting by his friend
Steve McQueen, skillfully
incorporates his martial-arts knowledge into his series and feature
film projects, stressing action and technique over violence. He is the
author of the books "The Secret of Inner Strength" and "The Secret
Power Within - Zen Solutions to Real Problems". He works for many
charities, including the Funds for Kids, Veterans Administration
National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans, the United Way, Make-a-Wish
Foundation and KickStart, a nonprofit organization he created to help
battle drugs and violence in schools. He also starred in the television
movie Blood In, Blood Out (1993),
broadcast on CBS.
He lives on a ranch when not filming.- Floyd Tillman was born on 8 December 1914 in Ryan, Oklahoma, USA. He was married to Margaret Hartis (remarried), Frances Woods and Margaret Hartis. He died on 22 August 2003 in Bacliff, Texas, USA.