Star of 'Walker, Texas Ranger,' martial artist and internet meme

With his roundhouse kicks, tough-guy one-liners and a formidable moral compass, Chuck Norris delivered kick-ass heroes for years on screens large and small, cementing himself in pop culture back in the 1980s.

- EMILY ST. MARTIN

ULTIMATE TOUGH GUY Norris most often played heroes who solved problems with their fists.

FREDERIC MEYLAN Sygma

Decades later, in the aughts, he earned new legions of millennial and Gen Z fans with the rise of “Chuck Norris Facts,” like “When Chuck Norris arrived at the gates of Heaven, St. Peter showed his ID to Chuck Norris.”

The martial artist and actor known for “The Way of the Dragon” and the long-running series “Walker, Texas Ranger” died Thursday morning in Hawaii, his family confirmed Friday. He was 86.

“It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning,” the family said in a statement. “While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.

"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. 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."

The family said it was thankful to Norris' fans, who to him "were not just fans, you were his friends." Last week, the star posted a martial arts video on Instagram in which he hit a sparring partner with a combo before saying to the camera, "I don't age, I level up."

"I'm 86 today!" Norris wrote in the caption. "Nothing like some playful action on a sunny day to make you feel young. I'm grateful for another year, good health and the chance to keep doing what I love. Thank you all for being the best fans in the world. Your support through the years has meant more to me than you'll ever know."