Chuck Norris, a beloved action star and a Hollywood legend, passed away on Thursday, March 19, at 86. While being an action star, Chuck Norris was also a martial arts maestro whose parts in Walker, Texas Ranger and other TV series and films made him a legendary tough guy. His tough persona as an iconic action hero and a master martial artist has often found its way into pop culture references every now and then. 

But many do not know that his martial arts journey began while serving in the US military in the Cold War era.

It all began when Carlos Ray Norris (Chuck Norris original name) joined the US Air Force in 1958, where he was assigned to the military occupational specialty of air police, which is now known as Air Force security forces. At that time, his ultimate goal was to get a job in law enforcement, but everyone knows how that turned out. At Texas' Lackland Air Force Base, he finished his basic training, and it was here that he got the nickname 'Chuck' from a fellow airman.

Norris was deployed to Osan Air Base in South Korea following a year at an Air Force post in Arizona. While stationed there, he discovered a dojo studio one day outside the base where Tang Soo Do, a Korean martial art that is somewhat comparable to karate, was taught. He became fascinated by that particular martial art form and began to practice the same till he had mastered it.

His final posting was to March Air Force Base in California, and he was honorably discharged in August 1962. But even after leaving the Air Force, he continued to practice taekwondo and Tang Soo Do after leaving the Air Force, and finally became the first person from the West to receive an eighth-degree black belt in taekwondo. He even created his own style, Chun Kuk Do (Universal Way), which made a huge impact on his upcoming Hollywood career.

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His journey to Hollywood is equally intriguing and inspiring, having a lot to do with his passion for martial arts.

Everybody knows that Chuck Norris’ Hollywood career took off after the 1972 movie The Way of the Dragon, opposite Bruce Lee. But only a few know that Lee got Norris his first-ever break in a 1968 film called The Wrecking Crew. Actually, Norris and Lee knew each other from the All-American Karate Championships that took place in 1967, and soon they both started training together. 

However, Bruce Lee may have gotten him his first movie; it was his other Hollywood friend, Steve McQueen, who convinced him to continue acting. After Lee’s death in 1973, Norris retired from Karate competitions and was contemplating his career options. McQueen suggested he should give acting a try, and he followed his advice, and the rest is history. Although Chuck Norris is no longer with us, his iconic movies carry his legacy forward. 

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Which Chuck Norris movie is your favorite? Do let us know in the comments.