Chuck Norris Reflects On 80 Years Of Life On His Birthday

Mar 10, 2020

Chuck Norris, known most famously for his role in "Walker, Texas Ranger" and roughly 20 action movies, turns 80 today. The actor, martial artist, film producer and screenwriter has achieved a lot in his long life, from starring in an internationally acclaimed series up to developing his own martial art style. And yet the 80-year-old star says his best days are far from over.

Chuck Norris, real name Carlos Ray Norris, was born on March 10 in 1940. Most people know him as the famous Texas Ranger Walker from Walker, Texas Ranger. He played the role for all 8 years of the series. Aside from this role, he also starred in over 20 action movies, is an acclaimed martial artist, wrote several books which saw him on the New York Times bestselling author list twice and even developed his own martial arts form, called Chun Kuk Do. 

One of the most notable things about Norris is his rise to fame among the younger generations. Starting in 2005, during a time when the star was already taking on less and less movie roles, the internet helped spread his name. Most people have already heard about the so-called "Chuck Norris facts". Many younger people who had never heard of him before were suddenly getting to know the star and his work.

The term refers to satirical facts and claims about what Chuck Norris has done or achieved. These facts are usually hyperbolic and refer to his martial arts prowess, physical strength or general tough attitude. A classic example is "When Chuck Norris does push ups, the world moves down."

Norris took the occasion of his 80th birthday and talked about his life in his WND op-ed, mentioning a Chuck Norris fact he liked himself: "Chuck Norris was born in a log cabin that he built with his bare hands." The star then went on to add that he liked this "fact" mostly because there actually was something special about his birth: his survival. 

I was born by normal delivery, if you can call seven days of labor and being born bluish-purple from prolonged oxygen deprivation "normal." Both Mom and I almost didn't make it. But on March 10, 1940, I weighed in for the first round of life's big fight at 6 pounds, 8 ounces. Mom was only 18 years old.

For the first five days of my life, the doctors and others weren't sure I was going to live. Mom still has a letter from my grandmother to my aunt, dated that same week, which says, "Wilma's baby probably isn't going to live." But we surprised them all!

Thankfully, Norris and his mother both pulled through. Norris lived on to have an amazing career as a martial artist and actor. And at 80 years old, he's not retiring just yet. As he puts it in the op-ed, his mother, turning 99 years old this April, is also still alive and kicking. He refers to his good genes and goes on to say that many older people still contribute a lot to their fields and still experience wonderful things every day. The actor ended by saying that his life was far from over, adding:

"As far as I'm concerned, at 80 years young, I'm just getting started!"

Are you a fan of Chuck Norris and his movies or series? Do you know any older people who still enjoy their hobbies and activities? Pass this story along and leave us a comment with your experiences!