Hard as it may be to believe, Walker, Texas Ranger has already been off the air for more than 25 years.
The series, which premiered on CBS in 1993, starred martial artist and action star Chuck Norris in the title role of Cordell Walker, a member of the law enforcement agency known as the Texas Ranger Division. Unlike most contemporary crime shows, Walker, Texas Ranger was explicitly wholesome, with clearly stated morals and anti-drug messaging.
Norris, who died in early 2026, is what most people remember about Walker, but he wasn’t the only actor who stayed for the show’s entire run (not to mention Trial by Fire, the 2005 TV movie that followed it). Clarence Gilyard’s fellow Ranger Jimmy Trivette and Sheree J. Wilson’s assistant D.A. Alex Cahill were by his side the whole time.
Even with TV procedurals making a comeback, there’s nothing quite like Walker, Texas Ranger on the air these days — no, not even the Jared Padalecki-led reboot from earlier this decade. At this point it’s hard not to feel nostalgic for the original show’s predictable good nature and simple pleasures.
That’s why we’re celebrating the 25th anniversary of Walker, Texas Ranger’s departure by looking back at its stars, and seeing what they’ve been up to since the show wrapped up its eight-season run.
01 of 09
Chuck Norris (Cordell Walker)
Chuck Norris on ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’; Norris in 2017
Credit: CBS via Getty; Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty
Of course, there could be no Walker, Texas Ranger without Walker himself, and there could be no Walker without Chuck Norris.
Before he became an actor, Norris served in the U.S. Air Force and earned black belts in multiple forms of martial arts. He eventually parlayed those combat skills into appearances in ‘70s action movies — Bruce Lee’s The Way of the Dragon (1972) being a particularly notable highlight — before making a real name for himself in the ‘80s.
The Oklahoma native’s starring roles during his big-screen prime include The Delta Force (1986), alongside Lee Marvin, as well as Missing in Action (1984) and Code of Silence (1985). His hit neo-Western film Lone Wolf McQuade (1983) was a direct inspiration on Walker. The series, which brought Norris into living rooms across the country, helped turn him into a household name.
“It’s not violence for violence’s sake, with no moral structure,” Norris told the Associated Press in 1996. “You try to portray the proper meaning of what it’s about — fighting injustice with justice, good vs. bad.”
Norris’ most notable roles after Walker, Texas Ranger include The Expendables 2 (2012) and a cameo as himself in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004).
But to many people, the action star is best remembered as an enduring internet meme. Satirical Chuck Norris facts — “Chuck Norris’ tears cure cancer; too bad he has never cried” — capitalized on his tough-guy image, and were eventually embraced by the man himself.
When Norris died earlier this year, he was eulogized with classic Chuck Norris facts, along with more sincere tributes from loved ones and fans. The actor left behind his wife of 28 years, Gena O’Kelley, and five children.
Aside from living on in Walker reruns, Norris will also be seen in the forthcoming action comedy Zombie Plane, where he plays a heightened version of himself.
02 of 09
Clarence Gilyard Jr. (Jimmy Trivette)
Clarence Gilyard Jr. in ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’ / Gilyard at the Las Vegas Fame Awards in 2018
Credit: CBS via Getty; Arlene Richie/Shutterstock
Clarence Gilyard Jr. starred in every season of Walker, Texas Ranger as Jimmy, a former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver who joins the Rangers in the first episode. Eventually, Jimmy and Walker become close friends.
In a 2018 KTLA 5 interview alongside costar Sheree Wilson, Gilyard reflected on the series and his role: “Growing up in the ‘60s and the ‘70s, playing a Black cowboy on television who kicked people’s butts, that’s something.”
Walker, Texas Ranger wasn’t the only procedural under Gilyard’s belt. Beforehand, he starred as private investigator Conrad McMasters on Matlock for the better part of five years.
As for the big screen, many will of course recognize him instantly as Hans Gruber’s trusty genius hacker, Theo, in Die Hard (1988), and he also spent time in flight school with Tom Cruise in Top Gun (1986).
After Walker, Texas Ranger ended, Gilyard had limited acting credits, showing up in faith-based films like Left Behind (2000) and A Matter of Faith (2014).
The Washington native spent the bulk of his later years teaching. In 2006, he became a professor at University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ College of Fine Arts. He worked there until his death in 2022 at age 66.
He was survived by his wife, Elena, and six children.
03 of 09
Sheree J. Wilson (Alex Cahill)
Sheree J. Wilson in ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’; Wilson at the Tex-Mex Fiesta in Dallas in 2025
Credit: CBS Photo Archvie/Getty; Omar Vega/Getty
Rounding out the trio of series regulars for the show’s full run, Sheree J. Wilson played Assistant D.A. Cahill. While her commitment to justice made her a useful ally, Alex often found herself in need of saving after falling into danger.
“I spent very little time in the courtroom and a lot of time getting in trouble,” Wilson said in 2018. “Every day was a new adventure because we had so many episodes that I didn’t know if I was gonna get chased by a bear, [or] if I’d be landing a 747.”
Wilson first became known to TV audiences as April Stevens Ewing on Dallas for five seasons before stepping into the role of Alex. The character eventually married Walker and gave birth to a daughter, Angela, in the series finale. Wilson also played a prominent role in the 2005 TV movie continuation.
Since the show ended, the Minnesota native has produced and acted in a number of independent films. On stage, she played the title role in a years-long touring production of Driving Miss Daisy — at one point, with her former costar Gilyard costarring as Hoke, the role made famous by Morgan Freeman.
Wilson has been married to Vince Morella since 2018. She also has two children from a previous marriage.
04 of 09
Noble Willingham (C.D. Parker)
Noble Willingham on ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’; Willingham in ‘Blind Horizon’ in 2003
Credit: CBS Photo Archvie/Getty; Lionsgate
Walker and Jimmy weren’t the only Rangers on Walker, Texas Ranger. Noble Willingham played C.D. Parker, a retired Ranger from back in the ’80s. While he’s a restaurant owner in his civilian life, C.D. often helps Walker in his pursuit of criminals.
Willingham was a prolific character actor in film long before Walker became his full-time day job, appearing in classics like The Last Picture Show (1971), Chinatown (1974), and Norma Rae (1979). He later appeared in Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) and City Slickers (1991) in addition to countless TV guest spots, but C.D. became his most notable role.
The character was written off during the seventh season when Willingham decided to run for Congress. Though he didn’t win, he never returned to the show. During the final season, it’s revealed that C.D. died off-screen.
The Texas native had only two credits after his departure, the films South of Heaven, West of Hell (2000) and Blind Horizon (2003).
In 2004, he died of natural causes at 72. He was survived by his wife, Patti Ross, and three children from a previous marriage.
05 of 09
Floyd “Red Crow” Westerman (Ray Firewalker)
Floyd ‘Red Crow’ Westerman on ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’; Westerman at the ‘Hidalgo’ premiere in 2004
Credit: CBS/Courtesy Everett Collection; Albert L. Ortega/WireImage
For the role of Walker’s uncle and mentor Ray, the show cast Sisseton Dakota actor Floyd “Red Crow” Westerman. The character only appeared in the first season, aside from flashbacks during season 2, where he was played by Apesanahkwat.
Westerman, who began his career as a country singer, got his first onscreen roles just a few years before Walker. He became a recognizable face thanks to appearances in Dances with Wolves (1990), The Doors (1991), Clearcut (1991), and episodes of Northern Exposure and The Wild West.
Following his departure from Walker, Westerman had recurring appearances on The X-Files and Dharma & Greg. He also showed up in the film Hidalgo (2004).
Westerman died from leukemia complications in 2007, at the age of 71. He was survived by his longtime wife, Rosie, and five children.
His final film role was in Swing Vote (2008), released posthumously.
06 of 09
Jimmy Wlcek (Trent Malloy)
Jimmy Wlcek in ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’; Wlcek in ‘The Sector’ in 2016
Credit: CBS; Indican Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
In season 4, viewers met Jimmy Wlcek’s Trent, who shows up to attend the funeral of his father, Reverend Thunder Malloy.
Wlcek was a soap star, having appeared on Ryan’s Hope, One Life to Live, and As the World Turns before joining Walker. Trent became one of Walker’s students and headed his own spinoff, Sons of Thunder, which lasted only six episodes in 1999.
Wlcek hasn’t had many credits in the decades since. He made an appearance in Little Black Book (2004) and the TV movies Love’s Christmas Journey (2011) and Shadow on the Mesa (2013). His most recent feature film role was the horror Western Howlers (2019).
07 of 09
Marco Sanchez (Carlos Sandoval)
Marco Sanchez in ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’; Sanchez on Instagram in 2021
Credit: CBS; Marco Sanchez/Instagram
When Trent Malloy showed up, he arrived with his best friend Carlos, a Dallas P.D. detective. On Sons of Thunder, Carlos resigned from the force and founded Thunder Investigation with Trent.
Marco Sanchez’s most prominent credit before Walker was the sci-fi series SeaQuest DSV, starring in the first two seasons as Sensor Chief Miguel Ortiz.
After Sons of Thunder failed to take off, Sanchez continued working largely in television, with consistent guest work and a recurring role on NCIS. His many other credits in recent years include 9-1-1, Lucifer, and Criminal Minds.
On the film front, Sanchez appeared in J.J. Abrams’ Super 8 (2011) and Star Trek Into Darkness (2013). His most recent role was on the Netflix series No Good Nick.
08 of 09
Judson Mills (Francis Gage)
Judson Mills in ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’; Mills at the ‘I Wish You All the Best’ premiere in 2025
Credit: CBS via Getty; Theo Wargo/Getty
The last two seasons introduce two rookie Rangers to work under Walker and Jimmy. The first was Francis, played by Judson Mills, another former soap star who got his start on As the World Turns.
In a May 2026 TMZ interview paying tribute to the late Chuck Norris, Mills spoke about joining Walker late in the run and working alongside such a notable figure.
“He was quite the legend and the icon and a mythical creature,” Mills said. “But almost immediately when we started to work together, his gentle nature and his kindness and his humility just struck me.”
Mills was with the series until its conclusion, and also had a sizable role in the TV movie continuation, Trial by Fire. He has appeared on a number of notable shows in the years since, including Bones, Dexter, and Westworld.
The Virginia native recently popped up on season 2 of Fallout and a 2026 episode of NCIS.
Mills was married twice before tying the knot with his current wife, Morgan Rae Mills, in 2005. The couple share two children, and he also has one child from a prior marriage.
09 of 09
Nia Peeples (Sydney Cooke)
Nia Peeples in ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’; Peeples at The Best You Expo in 2018
Credit: CBS/Courtesy Everett Collection; Michael Bezjian/WireImage
The other Ranger who joined the show late in the game was Sydney. Like Mills, Nia Peeples got her start on soaps — in her case, Days of Our Lives and General Hospital.
Her most famous early role, however, was on the hit ’80s series Fame. For three seasons, she starred as Nicole Chapman, a part that capitalized on her singing and dancing skills.
When Peeples joined the Walker cast, it was in part to be closer to then-husband Lauro Chartrand, a martial artist and stuntman who worked on the show. As she told The Seattle Times in 2000, “He either works stunts separately from me on the show, fighting, or he works choreographing my fights, which is when we get to work together.”
After the show was over, Peeples returned to soaps with a stint on The Young and the Restless. She also appeared on the fifth season of The Fosters.
The veteran actress may be best known to younger audiences for her work on the long-running series Pretty Little Liars as Pam Fields, mother to Shay Mitchell’s Emily.
Peeples has been married four times and has two children. She appeared alongside daughter Sienna in the TV movies Dying for a Baby (2019) and Badland Wives (2019).
Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly