Chuck Norris’s acting career spanned seven decades, during which he continued to resurface as a classic action hero character.
He collected over 30 movie credits, according to the IMDb database.
Here’s a rundown of some of his most notable film and TV appearances:
The Way of the Dragon – 1972
In his breakthrough movie, Norris plays the antagonist to legendary Hong Kong martial artist Bruce Lee, whose character fights and kills Norris in Rome’s Colosseum.
Lone Wolf McQuade – 1983
In this neo-Western, Norris is JJ McQuade, a Texas Ranger, who works alone, setting the scene for his eponymous hit TV show in the 1990s.
Missing In Action – 1984
Norris stars as Colonel James Braddock, a US officer who returns to Vietnam to rescue soldiers held captive. The film inspired two sequels, in 1985 and 1988.
The Delta Force – 1986
Norris stars as an elite commando sent to rescue airline hostages from terrorists in the Middle East, inspired by real-world hijackings.
Sidekicks – 1992
Norris plays a fictionalised version of himself, who inspires a bullied, asthmatic boy to gain confidence through martial arts in a Karate Kid-style plot.
Walker, Texas Ranger – 1993 to 2001
Norris plays a modern-day Texas Ranger who fights crime with martial arts and old-school morality. Running for nine seasons, the show became his most enduring role.
The Expendables 2 – 2012
In the sequel to Sylvester Stallone’s action hero all-star show, Norris makes a self-referential cameo as a legendary lone wolf operative leaning into his meme-like status.