Norris lived on a ranch near Navasota and was a friend to Houston business icon Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale. We spoke to McIngvale about him Friday.

HOUSTON — We’re remembering the life of film and TV icon Chuck Norris, who died at the age of 86, his family announced on Friday. 

Chuck Norris was a longtime Texas resident and lived on a ranch near Navasota for many years.  

Aside from being a well-known figure in the entertainment world, he was also a big part of Houston-area kids’ lives. Norris founded Kickstart Kids, a program that was designed to teach children character through karate.  

He was also well-connected to Houston icon “Mattress Mack” Jim McIngvale. They were good friends, and McIngvale also helped finance a movie with Norris back in the 1990s called “Sidekicks.” It was shot right here in Houston.   

KHOU 11’s Ron Treviño spoke with McIngvale on Friday morning.

“Chuck was a great guy and whatever he needed to do to help people, he was always there for them,” he said. “So he left quite the legacy and that’s all that matters in life.”

“And you stayed friends for years?” 

“Yeah, I stayed friends for years, kept in touch with him through Kickstart and Chuck and his wife, Gina, lived in Navasota, so it was shocking that he passed, but he led a great life.” 

McIngvale said he has fond memories of Chuck Norris, who he described as very down to earth. 

Ron Treviño will have a lot more local reaction today on KHOU 11 news at 4.

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