Chuck Norris

Carlos Ray"Chuck"Norris(born March 10, 1940) is an American martial artist and actor. He is ablack beltinTang Soo Do,Brazilian jiu jitsuandjudo.After serving in theUnited States Air Force, Norris won many martial arts championships and later founded his own discipline, Chun Kuk Do. Shortly after, inHollywood, Norris trained celebrities in martial arts. Norris went on to appear in a minor role inThe Wrecking Crew(1968). Friend and fellow martial artistBruce Leeinvited him to play one of the main villains inThe Way of the Dragon(1972). While Norris continued acting, friend and studentSteve McQueensuggested he take it seriously. Norris took the starring role in the action filmBreaker! Breaker!(1977), which turned a profit. His second lead,Good Guys Wear Black(1978), became a hit, and he soon became a popular action film star.
Norris went on to star in a streak of bankable independently made action and martial arts films, withA Force of One(1979),The Octagon(1980), andAn Eye for an Eye(1981). This made Norris an international celebrity. He went on to make studio films likeSilent Rage(1982) withColumbia,Forced Vengeance(1982) withMGM, andLone Wolf McQuade(1983) withOrion. This ledCannon Filmsto sign Norris into a multiple film deal, starting withMissing in Action(1984), which proved to be very successful and launched a trilogy. Norris started to work almost exclusively on high-profile action films with Cannon, becoming its leading star during the 1980s. Films with Cannon includeInvasion U.S.A(1985),The Delta Force(1986), andFirewalker(1986), among others. Apart from the Cannon films, Norris madeCode of Silence(1985), which was received as one of his best films. In the 1990s, he played the title role in the long-runningCBStelevision seriesWalker, Texas Rangerfrom 1993 to 2001. Until 2006, Norris continued taking lead roles in action movies. His last appearance in a major film release was inThe Expendables 2(2012).
Throughout his film and TV career, Norris diversified from his regular endeavors. He is aNew York Timesbestsellingauthor, having penned books onmartial arts,exercise,philosophy,politics,Christianity,Western fiction, andbiographies. Norris also appeared in several commercials endorsing several products, most notably being one of the main spokespersons for theTotal Gyminfomercials. In 2005, Norris found new fame on the Internet whenChuck Norris factsbecame anInternet memedocumenting humorous, fictional, and often absurd feats of strength and endurance. Although Norris himself did not produce the "facts", he was hired to endorse many products that incorporated Chuck Norris facts in advertising. The phenomenon resulted in six books some of themNew York Timesbestsellers, two video games, and several appearances on talk shows, such asLate Night with Conan O'Brien, in which he read the facts or participated in sketches.
Norris was born inRyan, Oklahoma, on March 10, 1940,to Wilma (née Scarberry, 1921–2024) and Ray Dee Norris, who was aWorld War IIArmy soldier,mechanic, bus driver, and a truck driver. His mother was ofIrishdescent and his father ofCherokee descent.Norris was named after Carlos Berry, his father'sminister.He was the oldest of three brothers, the younger two being Wieland andAaron. Wieland Norris informed his eldest sibling he would not reach his 27th birthday; this prediction came true in 1970 when he was killed in the Vietnam War. When Norris was 16 years old, his parents divorced,and he later relocated toPrairie Village, Kansasand then toTorrance, Californiawith his mother and brothers.
Norris has described his childhood as downbeat. He was nonathletic, shy, and scholastically mediocre.His father, Ray, worked intermittently as an automobile mechanic, and went on drinking binges that lasted for months at a time. Embarrassed by his father's behavior and the family's financial plight, Norris developed a debilitating introversion that lasted for his entire childhood.
Norris joined theUnited States Air Forceas anAir Policeman(AP) in 1958 and was sent toOsan Air Base, South Korea. It was there that Norris acquired the nickname "Chuck" and began his training inTang Soo Do(tangsudo), an interest that led toblack beltsin that art and the founding of theChun Kuk Do("Universal Way") form.When he returned to the United States, he continued to serve as an AP atMarch Air Force Basein California.
Norris was discharged from the Air Force in August 1962 with the rank ofAirman first class. Following his military service, Norris applied to be a police officer inTorrance, California. While on the waiting list, Norris opened a martial arts studio.
Norris started to participate in martial arts competitions. He was defeated in his first two tournaments, dropping decisions toJoe LewisandAllen Steen. He lost three matches at theInternational Karate Championshipsto Tony Tulleners. By 1967, Norris had improved enough that he scored victories over the likes ofVic Moore. On June 3, Norris won the 1967 tournament of karate, Norris defeated seven opponents, until his final fight withSkipper Mullins.On June 24, Norris was declared champion at theS. Henry Cho's All-American Karate Championship at theMadison Square Garden, taking the title from Julio LaSalle and defeating Joe Lewis.During this time, Norris also worked for theNorthrop Corporationand opened a chain ofkarateschools. Norris's official website lists celebrity clients at the schools; among themSteve McQueen,Chad McQueen,Bob Barker,Priscilla Presley,Donny OsmondandMarie Osmond.
In early 1968, Norris suffered the tenth and final loss of his career, losing an upset decision to Louis Delgado. On November 24, 1968, he avenged his defeat to Delgado and by doing so won the Professional Middleweight Karate champion title, which he then held for six consecutive years.On April 1, Norris successfully defended his All-American Karate Championship title, in a round-robin tournament, at the Karate tournament of champions of North America.Again that year, Norris won for the second time the All-American Karate Championship. It was the last time Norris participated and retired undefeated.While competing, Norris metBruce Lee, who at the time was known for the TV seriesThe Green Hornet. They developed a friendship, as well as a training and working relationship.
In 1969, during the first weekend of August, Norris defended his title as world champion at the International Karate Championship. The competition included champions from most of the fifty states as well as half a dozen from abroad who joined for the preliminaries.Norris retained his titleand won Karate's triple crown for the most tournament wins of the year, he also got the Fighter of the Year award byBlack Beltmagazine. Around this time, Norris made his acting debut in theMatt Helmspy spoofThe Wrecking Crew.
In 1972, Norris acted asBruce Lee's nemesis in the widely acclaimed martial arts movieWay of the Dragon(titledReturn of the Dragonin its U.S. distribution). The film grossed overHK$5.3 million at the Hong Kong box office, beating previous records set by Lee's own films,The Big BossandFist of Fury, making it the highest-grossing film of 1972 in Hong Kong.The Way of the Dragonwent on to gross an estimated US$130 million worldwide.The film is credited with launching him toward stardom.
In 1973, Norris played a role inJonathan Kaplan'sThe Student Teachers.
In 1974, actorSteve McQueen, who was his martial art student and friend at the time, saw his potential and encouraged him to begin acting classes atMGM. That same year, he played the supporting role of the main antagonist inLo Wei'sYellow Faced Tiger.Norris plays a powerful drug king in San Francisco, where he dominates the criminal world including the police department. He is eventually challenged by a young police officer who stands up to corruption.The film played theatrically in the United States in 1981 asSlaughter in San Francisco.It was noticed that it was an older, low-budget film announcing Norris as the lead. The film played as a double-bill to other action and genre film. It was described as a low-budget martial arts actioner taking advantage of Norris's fame.
In 1975, Norris wrote his first bookWinning Tournament Karateon the practical study of competition training for any rank. It covers all phases of executing speedy attacks, conditioning, fighting form drills, and one-step sparring techniques.
Norris's first starring role was 1977'sBreaker! Breaker!He chose it after turning down offers to do several martial-arts films. Norris decided that he wanted to do films that had a story and where the action would take place when it is emotionally right. The low-budget film turned out to be very successful.
In 1978, Norris starred inGood Guys Wear Black.He considers it to be his first significant lead role. No studio wanted to release it, so Norris and his producersfour-walledit, renting the theaters and taking whatever money came in.The film did very well; shot on a $1 million budget, it made over $18 million at the box office.Following years ofkung fu filmimports fromHong Kong action cinemaduring the 1970s, most notably Bruce Lee films followed byBruceploitationflicks,Good Guys Wear Blacklaunched Norris as the first successful homegrown American martial-arts star, having previously been best known as a villain in Lee'sWay of the Dragon.Good Guys Wear Blackdistinguished itself from earlier martial-arts films by its distinctly American setting, characters, themes, and politics, a formula that Norris continued to develop with his later films.
In 1979, Norris starred inA Force of One, where he played Matt Logan, a world karate champion who assists the police in their investigation.The film was developed while touring forGood Guys Wear Black. Again no studio wanted to pick it up, but it out-grossed the previous film by making $20 million at the box office.
In 1980, he releasedThe Octagon, where his character must stop a group of terrorists trained in the ninja style.Unlike his previous films, this time the studios were interested. American Cinema Releasing distributed it and it made almost $19 million at the box office.
In 1981, he starred inSteve Carver'sAn Eye for an Eye.
In 1982, he had the lead in the action horror filmSilent Rage.It was his first film released by a major studio,Columbia Pictures.Norris plays a sheriff who must stop a psychopath on a rampage. Shortly afterwardMGMgave him a three-movie deal and that same year, they releasedForced Vengeance(1982). Norris was unhappy with the direction they wanted to take with him, hence the contract was canceled.
In 1983, Norris madeLone Wolf McQuadewithOrion Picturesand Carver directing.He plays a reckless but brave Texas Ranger who defeats an arms dealer played byDavid Carradine. The film was a worldwide hit and had a positive reception from movie critics, often being compared toSergio Leone's stylishSpaghetti Westerns. The film became the inspiration for Norris's future hit TV showWalker, Texas Ranger. Film criticRoger Ebertgave the film a 3.5 star rating, calling the character of J.J. McQuade worthy of a film series and predicting the character would be a future classic, and it would be the first movie where Norris would wear his trademark beard.The same year, he also published an exercise calledToughen Up! the Chuck Norris Fitness System.Also in 1983,Xonoxproduced the video gameChuck Norris Superkicksfor theCommodore 64,VIC-20,Atari 2600, andColecovision. The game combines two types of gameplay: moving through a map, and fighting against enemies. The player takes control of Norris who has to liberate a hostage. It was later sold asKung Fu Superkickswhen the license for the use of the Chuck Norris name expired.
In 1984, Norris starred inJoseph Zito'sMissing in Action.It's the first of a series ofPOWrescue fantasies, where he plays Colonel James Braddock. Produced byMenahem GolanandYoram Globusand released under theirCannon Filmsbanner, with which he had signed a multiple movie deal.Norris later dedicated these films to his younger brother Wieland, who was a private in the101st Airborne Division, and had been killed in June 1970 in Vietnam while on patrol in the defense ofFirebase Ripcord.The film was a huge success, and Norris became Cannon's most prominent star of the 1980s.
Missing in Action 2: The Beginningpremiered on March 1, 1985.It is a prequel to the first installment, about Braddock being held in a North Vietnamese POW camp.Orion PicturesreleasedCode of Silenceon May 3.It received positive reviews and was also a box-office success.Code of Silenceis a crime drama, and features Norris as a streetwise plainclothes officer who takes down a crime czar.Invasion U.S.A.premiered on September 27, with Zito directing.
On February 14, 1986,Menahem Golan'sThe Delta Forcepremiered. Norris co-stars withLee Marvin.They play leaders of an elite squad ofSpecial Forcestroops who face a group of terrorists.The Delta Forcewas a box office success. In October,Ruby-Spears' cartoonKarate Kommandosfirst aired. The animated show lasted six episodes. In it, Norris voices a cartoon version of himself who leads a United States government team of operatives known as the Karate Kommandos.Marvelmade a comic book adaptation.
On November 21,J. Lee Thompson'saction-adventurecomedy filmFirewalkerpremiered, where Norris co-lead withLouis Gossett Jr.. Gossett and Norris play two seasonedtreasure hunterswhose adventures rarely result in any notable success.Norris explained that the project came about when he wanted to show a lighter side of himself.Gossett appreciated Norris efforts and said "I have great respect for what actors call stretch. Chuck had to open up first to allow this atmosphere. It has to do with his desire to stretch. Someone else could have been quite insecure. He chose to open up. He's studying hard and he's serious."The review were mostly negative, while some thought it was a fine for a light action film.Kevin Thomas of theLos Angeles Times,enjoyed it of the cast he said they "really get into the light-hearted spirit of the occasion."The film made $11,834,302 at the box-office.
In 1987, he published theNew York Times Best SellerThe Secret of Inner Strength: My Story. It is about his self-improvement philosophy.
On January 2, 1988,Braddock: Missing in Action IIIpremiered, Norris returned to the title role and his brotherAaron Norrisdirected.On August 28, Norris starred inHero and the Terrordirected by William Tannen.In it Norris stars as a cop investigating a serial killer.
By 1990, his films had collectively grossed over $500 million worldwide . By this time, he had drawn comparisons to both Bruce Lee andClint Eastwood, sometimes called the "blonde Bruce Lee" for his martial arts film roles while his "loner" persona was compared to the Eastwood characterDirty Harry.That same year, MGM acquired theCannon Filmslibrary. Norris continued making films with Aaron, who directed him inDelta Force 2,The Hitman,Sidekicks(1993),Hellbound(1994),Top Dog(1995),andForest Warrior(1996).
In 1993, he began shooting the action seriesWalker, Texas Ranger. The television show is centered on SergeantCordell Walker(Norris), a member of theTexas Rangers, a state-level bureau of investigation, and is about his adventures fighting criminals with his partner James Trivette. It lasted eight seasons onCBSand continued in syndication on other channels, notably theHallmark Channel.The show was very successful in the ratings throughout its run, ranking among the Top 30 programs from 1995 until 1999, and ranking in the Top 20 in both the 1995–1996 and 1998–1999 seasons. In 1999, Norris produced and played Walker in a supporting role in theWalker, Texas Rangerspin-offSons of Thunder. The same year, also playing the role of Walker, Norris acted in a crossover episode of theSammo Hung's TV showMartial Law. For another crossover, Hung also appeared as his character inWalker, Texas Ranger.
Separately fromWalker, Texas Ranger,on August 25, 1993, theRandy Travistelevision specialWind in the Wirefirst aired. Norris was among the guests.At the 1994 edition of theWorld Wrestling Federation(WWF)'sSurvivor Seriesevent, Norris was the special outside enforcer for theCasket MatchbetweenThe UndertakerandYokozuna.During the match, Norris delivered a roundhouse kick to an interferingJeff Jarrett.In 1996, Norris wrote the bookThe Secret Power Within: Zen Solutions to Real Problems.Since 1997, Norris has appeared withChristie Brinkleyin a long-running series of cable TVinfomercialspromotingTotal Gymhome fitness equipment.On November 1, 1998,CBSpremieredMichael Preece's television filmLogan's War: Bound by Honor,starring Norris andEddie Cibrian.The television film was ranked third among the thirteen most viewed shows of that week.
In the early 2000s, Norris starred as a secret agent in theCBStelevision filmsThe President's Man(2000) andThe President's Man: A Line in the Sand.(2002).
In 2003, Norris played a role in thesupernaturalChristian filmBells of Innocence.That same year, he acted in one episode of the TV showYes, Dear.
In 2004,Rawson Marshall Thurber's comedy filmDodgeBall: A True Underdog Storywas released.Norris plays himself as a judge during a dodgeball game. Described by critics as "a raunchy comedy that delivers for many", it grossed $167.7 million.
That same year, he published his autobiographyAgainst All Odds: My Story.
In 2005, Norris founded theWorld Combat League(WCL), a full-contact, team-based martial arts competition, of which part of the proceeds are given to hisKickstart Kidsprogram.
On October 17, 2005, CBS premiered the Sunday Night Movie of the WeekWalker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire. The production was a continuation of the series, and not scripted to be a reunion movie. Norris reprised his role as Walker for the movie. He has stated that futureWalker, Texas RangerMovie of the Week projects are expected; however, this was severely impaired by CBS's 2006–2007 season decision to no longer regularly schedule Movies of the Week on Sunday night.
Chuck Norris factsoriginally started appearing on the Internet in early 2005. Created byIan Spector, they are satirical factoids about Norris. Since then, they have become widespread in popular culture. The "facts" are normally absurd hyperbolic claims about Norris's toughness, attitude, virility, sophistication, and masculinity. Norris has written his own response to the parody on his website, stating that he does not feel offended by them and finds some of them funny,claiming that his personal favorite is that they wanted to add his face toMount Rushmore, but the granite is not hard enough for his beard.At first it was mostly college students exchanging them, but they later became extremely widespread.
From that point on, Norris started to tour with the Chuck Norris facts appearing on major talk shows, and even visiting troops in Iraq for morale boosting appearances.
Norris starred in the filmThe Cutterin 2006, where he plays a detective on a rescue mission.That year time he published the novelThe Justice Riders, co-written with Ken Abraham, Aaron Norris, and Tim Grayem.
Gotham Books, the adult division ofPenguin USA, released a book penned byIan SpectorentitledThe Truth About Chuck Norris: 400 facts about the World's Greatest Human.Norris subsequently filed suit in December against Penguin USA claiming "trademark infringement,unjust enrichmentand privacy rights".Norris dropped the lawsuit in 2008.The book is aNew York Timesbestseller. Since then, Spector has published four more books based onChuck Norris facts, these areChuck Norris Cannot Be Stopped: 400 All-New Facts About the Man Who Knows Neither Fear Nor Mercy,Chuck Norris: Longer and Harder: The Complete Chronicle of the World's Deadliest, Sexiest, and Beardiest Man,The Last Stand of Chuck Norris: 400 All New Facts About the Most Terrifying Man in the Universe, andChuck Norris Vs. Mr. T: 400 Facts About the Baddest Dudes in the History of Ever(also aNew York Timesbestseller).That year Norris with the same team published a sequel toThe Justice RiderscalledA Threat to Justice.Tyndale House Publishersalso published a book praising Norris, entitledThe Official Chuck Norris Fact Book: 101 of Chuck's Favorite Facts and Stories, which was co-written and officially endorsed by him.
In 2008, he published the political non-fiction bookBlack Belt Patriotism: How to Reawaken America, which reached number 14 onThe New York Timesbest seller list in September 2008.That same year,Gameloftproduced the video gameChuck Norris: Bring On the Painfor mobile devices, based on the popularity Norris had developed on the internet with the Chuck Norris facts.The player takes control of Norris in aside-scrollingbeat 'em up. The game was well reviewed.
Since 2010, Norris has been a nationally syndicated columnist with Creators Syndicate writing on both personal health issues and broader issues of health care in America.
Throughout the 2010s, Norris appeared in advertisements forT-Mobile,World of Warcraft,BZ WBK,the French TV show "Pieds dans le plat",Hoegaarden,United Healthcare,Hesburger,Cerveza Poker,Toyota,and in the 2020s,QuikTrip.
In 2012, Norris played a mercenary inThe Expendables 2.The film was a success and grossed over $310 million worldwide.That same year, Norris and his wife Gena founded CForce Bottling Co. after an aquifer was discovered on his ranch.
In 2017, Norris becameFiat's ambassador, a "tough face" for its commercial vehicles.Flaregames producedNon Stop Chuck Norris, an isometric action-RPG game formobile devicesand is the second game to be based on his popularity developed by the Chuck Norris facts. The game was well-reviewed.
In 2019, Norris hosted the documentaryChuck Norris’ Epic Guide to Military Vehicleson theHistory Channel. In it, Norris explores vehicular creations by the US military.In 2020, Norris acted in the series finale ofHawaii Five-0.In 2021, Norris was featured as a character in the video gameWorld of Tanksduring a holiday event.
Norris has founded two major martial arts systems:American Tang Soo Doand Chuck Norris System (formerly known as Chun Kuk Do).
American Tang Soo Do was formed in 1966 by Norris, which is combination ofMoo Duk Kwan-styleTang Soo Do,JudoandKarate(Shito-RyuandShotokan). Over the years it has been further developed by former black belts of his and their students.
Norris's present martial art system is theChuck Norris System, formerly known asChun Kuk Do.
The style was formally founded in 1990 as Chun Kuk Do by Norris, and was originally based on Norris's Tang Soo Do training in Korea while he was in the military.
During his competitive fighting career, Norris began to evolve the style to make it more effective and well-rounded by studying other systems such asShōtōkan,Gōjū-ryū,Shitō-ryū,Enshin kaikan,Kyokushin,Judo,Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu,Arnis,Taekwondo,Tang Soo Do,HapkidoandAmerican Kenpo. Chun Kuk Do now emphasizes self defense, competition, weapons, grappling, and fitness, among other things.Each summer theUnited Fighting Arts Federation(UFAF) holds a training conference and the Chun Kuk Do world championship tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The art includes a code of honor and rules to live by. These rules are from Norris's personal code. They are:
Like most traditional martial arts, Chuck Norris System includes the practice of forms (Koreanhyungand Japanesekata). The majority of the system's forms are adapted from Korean Tang Soo Do, and Taekwondo, JapaneseShitō-ryū,Shotokan Karate,Goju-ryu,KyokushinkaiKarate,Judo,Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, AmericanKenpo. It includes two organization-specific introductory forms, two organization-specific empty-hand forms, and one organization-specific weapon form (UFAFNunchukform, UFAF Bo form, UFAFSaiforms).
The United Fighting Arts Federation has graduated over 3,000 black belts in its history, and currently has nearly 4,000 active members world-wide.There are about 90 member schools in the US,Mexico,Norway, andParaguay.
Norris married his classmate Dianne Kay Holechek (born 1941) in December 1958 when he was 18 and Dianne was 17 years of age. They had met in 1956 at high school in Torrance, California. In 1962, their first child,Mike, was born. He also had a daughter in 1963 out of an extramarital affair.Later, he had a second son,Eric, with his wife in 1964. After 30 years of marriage, Norris and Holechek were divorced in 1989, after separating in 1988 during the filming ofThe Delta Force 2.
On November 28, 1998, he married former model Gena O'Kelley, 23 years younger than Norris. O'Kelley had two children from a previous marriage. She delivered twins on August 30, 2001.
On September 22, 2004, Norris toldEntertainment Tonight'sMary Hartthat he did not meet his illegitimate daughter from a past relationship until she was 26, although she learned that he was her father when she was 16. He met her after she sent a letter informing him of their relationship in 1990, one year after Norris's divorce from his first wife, Dianne Holechek.
Norris has 13 grandchildren as of 2017.
An outspoken Christian,Norris is the author of several Christian-themed books. On April 22, 2008, Norris expressed his support for theintelligent design movementwhen he reviewedBen Stein'sExpelledforTownhall.com.
He isBaptistand a member of thePrestonwood Baptist Church(Southern Baptist Convention) inDallas.
Norris is aRepublicanand outspokenconservative.Norris is a columnist for thefar-rightWorldNetDaily.
In an interview following the release of the 1984 filmMissing in Action, Norris stated that "I am aconservative, a real flag waver, a bigRonald Reaganfan. I'm not so much a Republican or Democrat; I go more for the man himself. Ronald Reagan says what he thinks, he's not afraid to speak his mind, even if he may be unpopular. I want a strong leader and he is a strong leader. And ever since he has been in office there has been a more positive, patriotic feeling in this country."
Around the time of the filming of the 1986 filmThe Delta Force, Norris said—in response to the hijacking  ofTWA flight 847—that United States is becoming a "paper tiger" in the Middle East. "What we're facing here is the fact that our passive approach to terrorism is going to instigate much more terrorism throughout the world.""I've been all over the world, and seeing the devastation that terrorism has done in Europe and the Middle East, I know eventually it's going to come here," added Norris. "It's just a matter of time. They're doing all this devastation in Europe now, and the next stepping stone is America and Canada. Being a free country, with the freedom of movement that we have, it's an open door policy for terrorism. It's likeKhadafy[sic] said a few weeks ago. 'If Reagan doesn't back off, I'm going to release my killer squads in America.' And there's no doubt in my mind that he has them."
In 2007, Norris took a trip toIraqto visit U.S. troops.
Norris supportedMike Huckabee's failedcandidacyin the2008 Republican Party presidential primaries, where he made headlines for calling the eventual Republican nominee,John McCain, too old to handle the pressures of being president.He voiced his support for McCain in the2008 presidential election, emphasizing his enthusiasm for McCain's partner on the Republican ticket,Sarah Palin.
On November 18, 2008, Norris became one of the first members of show business to express support for theCalifornia Proposition 8ban on same-sex marriage, and he criticized activists for not accepting thedemocratic processand the apparent double standard he perceived in criticizingthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintswithout criticizing African Americans, most of whom who had voted for the measure.
In 2009, Norris had expressed support for theBarack Obama"birther" conspiracy. In his letter, released atWorldNetDaily, Norris deemed then-President Obama's refusal to disclose his birth certificate suspicious and implored him to put an end to the conspiracy theories.
On April 11, 2011 Norris had written a five-part investigation regarding the "infiltration ofSharia lawinto United States culture" forWorldNetDaily.
On June 26, 2012, Norris published an article on Ammoland.com, in which he accused theObama administrationof payingJim Turley, one of the national board members of theBoy Scouts of Americaat the time, to reverse the organization's policy that excluded gay youths from joining.
During the2012 presidential election, Norris first recommendedRon Paul, and then later formally endorsedNewt Gingrichas the Republican presidential candidate.After Gingrich suspended his campaign in May 2012, Norris endorsed Republicanpresumptive nomineeMitt Romney, despite Norris having previously accused Romney offlip-floppingand of trying to buy the nomination for the Republican Party candidacy for 2012.On the eve of the election, he and his wife Gena made a video warning that if evangelicals did not show up at the polls and vote out President Obama, "...our country as we know it may be lost forever...".
Norris has visitedIsrael, and he voiced support for former Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahuin the2013and2015 elections.Norris endorsed Huckabee again in the2016 Republican primariesbefore he dropped out.In March 2016, it was reported that Norris endorsed RepublicanTexasSenatorTed Cruzand that he would be attending a Cruz rally,but two days later, Norris stated he would only endorse the GOP nominee once that nominee has been nominated by the party.Later, Norris endorsed formerAlabamaChief JusticeRoy Moorein the2017 United States Senate special election in Alabama.
In 2019, Norris signed an endorsement deal with gun manufacturerGlock. The deal was met with criticism from some members of the public and some of his fans, who felt it was in bad timing due to the increase inschool shootings in the United States.
In 2021, Norris announced his support of the2021 gubernatorial electionto recall incumbent GovernorGavin Newsomand endorsed radio talk show hostLarry Elderto replace him.
In 1990, Norris established theUnited Fighting Arts FederationandKickstart Kids. As a significant part of his philanthropic contributions, the organization was formed to develop self-esteem and focus in at-risk children as a tactic to keep them away from drug-related pressure by training them in martial arts. Norris hopes that by shifting middle school and high school children's focus towards this positive and strengthening endeavor, these children will have the opportunity to build a better future for themselves.Norris has a ranch inNavasota, Texas, where theybottle water;a portion of the sales support environmental funds and Kickstart Kids.
He is known for his contributions towards organizations such as Funds for Kids, Veteran's Administration National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans, theUnited Way, and theMake-A-Wish Foundationin the form of donations as well as fund-raising activities.
His time with theU.S. Veterans Administrationas a spokesperson was inspired by his experience serving theUnited States Air Forcein Korea. His objective has been to popularize the issues that concern hospitalized war veterans such aspensionsand health care. Due to his significant contributions, and continued support, he received theVeteran of the Yearaward in 2001 at theAmerican Veteran Awards.
In India, Norris supports theVijay Amritraj Foundation, which aims to help victims of disease, tragedy and circumstance. Through his donations, he has helped the foundation support Paediatric HIV/AIDS homes inDelhi, a blind school inKarnataka, and a mission that cares forHIV/AIDS-infected adults, as well as mentally ill patients inCochin.