Chuck Norris Biography

- Birth name is Carlos Ray Norris.

- Is an avid golf player and participates in many celebrity golfing events.

- His childhood idol was John Wayne and they share similar onscreen personas. Norris usually plays the good guy hero, who despite being a martial arts expert, would rather find a peaceful solution.

- Prefers action and technique to violence.

- Turned down the role of Sensei Jon Kreese in the original 'The Karate Kid' (1984), as he claimed he did not want to be connected to such a vicious and brutal character.

- Is the author of the books 'The Secret of Inner Strength', 'The Secret Power Within - Zen Solutions to Real Problems' and 'Justice Riders'.

- Dina (born 1964 to Norris and his first wife, Diane Holechek) is the only one of his children not mentioned in his autobiography 'The Secret of Inner Strength: My Story' (1980).

- Counts Whoopi Goldberg and Rosie O’Donnell amongst his friends, despite their political differences. Norris offered Goldberg a role in 'Invasion USA' (1985), which she declined.

- Is a close friend of John Milius, legendary writer and director.

- Is heavily involved in the world of martial arts. Achieved a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, under the Machado Brothers, and is six-time World Karate Champion. He has founded two of his own martial arts: Chun Kuk Do (“The Universal Way”) and American Tang Soo Do. He has a tenth degree black belt in Tang Soo Do and an eighth degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do (the traditional Korean styles of both).

- Is a conservative Republican and campaigned for George Bush in the 1988 US elections.

- His 'Missing in Action' movies are dedicated to the memory of his brother, Weiland Norris, who was killed in Vietnam in 1970.