The American-born Chuck Norris, who was born in 1940 in Ryan, Oklahoma, became a perfect representative of how one can evolve a career in martial arts into becoming a successful actor playing the role of an action hero. Norris's films and television programs center on a rather simple but quite durable screen image - an individual characterized by silent strength, effective punches, certain morals, and an ability to solve conflicts mostly through discipline rather than dialogue.

Chuck Norris movies

It should also be stated that his acting path started as a result of quite notable success achieved on the sports field. Norris served in the U.S. Air Force, mastered martial arts, which helped him create convincing characters on film. The movie that marked the beginning of his acting career was Way of the Dragon (1972) in which he starred opposite Bruce Lee. Though the film did not make him an immediately recognized action star, Way of the Dragon provided Norris with the popularity required for actors who choose the genre.

Norris gradually started appearing in leading roles in those years when he successfully portrayed the characters that reflected his personality traits best of all. For example, in Breaker! Breaker! (1977) Norris played the role of trucker Colt, who had a tough character and a bit of stubbornness. Other action-oriented titles like Good Guys Wear Black (1978), A Force of One (1979) and An Eye for an Eye (1981) helped him develop his action-hero image further. He followed it up with another movie in the vein of ninja films - The Octagon (1980). In the latter Norris played against another famous actor of that time - George Segal. All the mentioned titles featured Norris as a loner who preferred to act rather than speak. And, indeed, he preferred to prove this point with the help of fight scenes rather than dialogue or words.

Popular movies and television shows: action hits on the big screen

His 1980s filmography includes the titles most viewers still consider typical of Norris's filmography today. For example, one of the titles that can be named as an absolutely typical work for Chuck is Lone Wolf McQuade (1983). This film presented Norris's audience with one of the screen characters, which could be considered his natural embodiment. It tells the story of the character called J.J. McQuade, who is a Texas Ranger combining police skills with martial arts mastery as well as owning quite a unique vehicle and quite an impressive surname that can be read easily from the poster. Other films, among which the following titles can be named – Missing in Action (1984) and its sequel – Missing in Action 2: The Beginning (1985), showed Norris as a participant in such a plot line as a rescue mission, which was very typical at that time. It is important to note that this movie series also represented one of the best examples of Norris's image as a tough and effective action star. The following title - Invasion U.S.A. (1985) - is the film that presents Norris in an exaggerated form of such a typical image as the lone hero of the film. Also movies such as The Delta Force (1986) with Lee Marvin can be named as great films for Norris. Finally it should be mentioned that films like Firewalker (1986) represent another genre typical for Norris action hits – adventure-comedy.

Among those titles that became typical for his movie image, the following ones are notable:

  • Way of the Dragon (1972), the film introducing him worldwide;
  • Good Guys Wear Black (1978);
  • The Octagon (1980);
  • Lone Wolf McQuade (1983);
  • Missing in Action (1984);
  • Invasion U.S.A. (1985);
  • The Delta Force (1986);

Also, Norris appeared as himself in such movies as Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004). He performed in the quite popular movie The Expendables 2 (2012) in the role of Booker. Those later performances reminded his audience that his image became more popular than himself. By that time Chuck Norris was considered already not just an actor but a synonym for an unbreakable action hero.

Walker

If Norris's films created his legend, Walker, Texas Ranger (1993-2001) made him popular to a much greater extent. It should be stated that he played in this show the role of Cordell Walker - Texas Ranger. Walker, Texas Ranger presented a combination of police and martial arts. So it can be considered as a continuation of Norris's career in that branch.

It should be noted that Chuck Norris movies are quite different from his series, because in the TV series Norris presented the image of a quite reliable and predictable person that could be perceived much better by a wide range of audience.

It should be emphasized that Norris is quite an unsophisticated actor from the point of view of emotional expression. He possesses a certain inner steadiness of character that made him an ideal performer in Walker, Texas Ranger television show. Usually Walker arrives in a calm manner and solves all existing dilemmas with the help of perfectly choreographed fights. Such elements, as well as the composition of Norris's TV team and the regular structure, make this show really interesting to watch.

In addition to this, Norris appeared in television movies based on this popular series: Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire (2005).

Finally, besides the Walker TV series, he also had a number of guest spots that played on Norris's action-hero image.

Conclusion

Summing up the facts, it should be emphasized that Norris's career in movies and on TV is quite remarkable in its simplicity and constancy. All Chuck Norris movies feature Norris performing as an action hero, presenting his image.