The web has been the site of a meme-fest since the announcement about the passing of Chuck Norris, 86.
He, of course, personified the ultimate in tough guys on television, in film, and he spawned an entire industry of Chuck Norris Facts.
But one participant pointed out that there was once thing more important to Norris than memes, and his image: his faith.
“The internet will spend the next 72 hours posting roundhouse kick memes,” the poster said. “Nobody’s going to talk about the thing that mattered most to him. He was a Christian.”
Chuck Norris died yesterday at 86.
The internet will spend the next 72 hours posting roundhouse kick memes.
Nobody’s going to talk about the thing that mattered most to him.
He was a Christian.
Saved at 12 years old. Baptized at Calvary Baptist Church. Attended a Billy Graham… pic.twitter.com/pHkZGYA2e4
— The Biblical Man | 4 AM Field Notes (@Biblicalman) March 20, 2026
The family’s announcement:
For many years, Norris explained his views, beliefs, and more in hundreds of columns that appeared on WorldNetDaily.
Norris often was bold about his faith. For instance, in 2021, he wrote about coming out of the COVID pandemic.
He pointed out research backs the concept that spiritual people have lower risk of deaths of despair.
He explained, “The Harvard article states: ‘People who attended religious services at least once a week were significantly less likely to die from ‘deaths of despair,’ including deaths related to suicide, drug overdose, and alcohol poisoning, according to new research led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.’ (Please underscore those three words: ‘significantly less likely.’)”
He criticized governors for declaring religious gatherings “non-essential.”
“I’m not a preacher nor do I pretend to be. Though we respect all religions and those who adhere to them, my wife, Gena, and I are Christians, and our faith is the primary anchor for our souls. It’s the one thing that offers us true peace, hope and a remedy against fear, especially through hard times.”
He gave his personal testimony in that commentary: “I was twelve years old when I accepted Christ as my personal Lord and Savior and was baptized at Calvary Baptist Church, where our family attended. As a young man, I recommitted my life to Christ at a Billy Graham crusade in Los Angeles. I’ve always maintained my faith throughout my martial arts, movie, and television careers, but there was also a time when I lost my way. As resilient as I thought I was, I swallowed the hook of the Hollywood lifestyle.”
He said his mom continued to pray for him, and “I’m convinced that’s how and why God brought Gena into my life. She is a beacon of God’s light and love, just as my mom is. Gena brought me back to my childhood faith – in which compromise was unbecoming, transparency was a virtue, humility was required, and belief was daily practiced. We’ve always respected all religions and those who hold differing beliefs, but we are unashamed Christians.”
Another time he wrote that his hero is Rev. Billy Graham.
“From his simple beginnings being reared on a dairy farm in Charlotte, North Carolina, to being a personal counselor and pastor for every president since Harry Truman, William (Billy) F. Graham Jr. was an ordinary man through whom God did extraordinary things. He reached out and touched millions of people for decades through his globally televised evangelistic crusades before there was even an internet, and that included my family and me.”
He said, then, “There’s more to my journey of faith than I can describe here. I explained it more fully in a CBN interview years ago, including how God used my wife, Gena, to bring me back to Him after years of being spiritual lost and caught up in a Hollywood lifestyle and luxury. Suffice it for me here to focus on the pivotal role Rev. Graham played for my whole family and me, especially in the early years of my faith.”
He used his hugely popular columns to discuss a wide range of other events.
He said, “In short, ‘Big Daddy’ called Biden’s bluff to ‘don’t,’ and just ‘did’! Don’t ever forget: What’s Iran and its Middle East terrorist proxies’ primary goal? It has been very clear for decades: To pull in every ally and enemy of Israel to join them. To fan into flames an Islamic jihad and global war, with the largest terrorist-sponsoring nation leading the way, Iran. To wipe out the state of Israel.”
He also multiple times celebrated love, around Valentine’s and more.
“Like so many of you, I had lots of trials and errors in the earlier parts of my life. … But, at the ripe age of 58, I met my true love and Valentine when I was filming ‘Walker, Texas Ranger.’ One of my best friends, Larry Morales, came to Dallas for a visit while I was filming. At the time, I was living the single life, and even though I had a successful TV series, I was miserable. I used to devote my life to fame and fortune. I had learned a hard lesson in those years: If your whole life is spent trying to make money and you neglect the important people in your life, you will create a deep void in your heart and soul, not to mention your relationships. I fell into this trap.
“Larry realized that I had everything but I had nothing, so he decided to introduce me to a lady he wanted me to meet. It just so happened that she had a modeling assignment in Dallas. One evening, I was at a sushi restaurant with about 12 friends, including a date, when Larry walked in with a young lady. He began introducing her to everyone, but I was engrossed in conversation with my date and didn’t notice – that is, until Larry called my name and said he wanted me to meet Gena.”
He said, “I looked up at her, and all I could see was an angel staring into my eyes. I stuttered, ‘Oh … er … hi! Nice to meet you.’ When I finally turned back to my date, all I could see were daggers in her eyes. She immediately got up and left.”
He honored his mother, Wilma Norris Knight, when she reached 102 years old.
He cited the threat of America’s “broken borders” back in 2022.
“Our broken borders have allowed into the U.S. record numbers of criminals and contraband. The last few years, overdoses from fentanyl that was smuggled from Mexico killed over 100,000 Americans (including teens). Cartels have capitalized on the Biden administration’s open border policies, making billions of dollars more by increasing human smuggling and child trafficking.”
He recognized the influence of a stepfather, when his biological father had abandoned the family.
“Eventually, my mother remarried a very kind and gentle man who became my stepfather, George Knight. Though I was an adult and out of the home, George and I became very close. He modeled what a loving husband and father should be, and I will be forever grateful that he came into our lives,” he said.
And he also cited Dr. Edwin Louis Cole, “known as “The Father of the Christian Men’s Movement,” because he influenced millions of men worldwide, including many of the most influential leaders today. He’s also the founder of the Christian Men’s Network. His mission statement is simple and powerful: “I have been called to speak with a prophetic voice to the men of this generation and commissioned with a ministry majoring in men to declare a standard for manhood. …”
He lamented losing touch “with the real Christmas,” and pointed out what the media wouldn’t say” about illegal immigrant crimes.
He praised Barbara Bush at the time of her funeral, and dug into history with a lesson on the Pilgrims.
But back to the memes, including a few times when he talked about them himself:
Chuck Norris doing Chuck Norris Jokes! pic.twitter.com/p1hjhvsHOq
— G-PA (@IndianaGPA) March 21, 2026
Okay since the Marines posted, I’ll share why Chuck Norris was so special to us. When we were stationed in D.C. we went to the Commandant’s Ball. That year they invited Chuck Norris and appoint him as an honorary Marine. They had a meet and greet and I got on the line. My… https://t.co/tvfdZ4wnIB
— Diana (@99_Colorado) March 21, 2026
Chuck Norris was a ONE OFF!
He is 57 years old in this video. Just look at the speed and force of those kicks. You can actually hear it.
There will never be another one like him.
R.I.P. Sir! ️ pic.twitter.com/9mZAVmPTsV
— DK (@1Nicdar) March 21, 2026
Who’s trying to play rock paper scissors with Chuck Norris? pic.twitter.com/tsMZZQw29J
— erias (@xerias_x) March 21, 2026
Chuck Norris was the real deal.
While other martial arts actors were skilled most never competed or competed very little.
But Chuck Norris was a 6 time world karate champion with a record of 183-10-2.
He held black belts in Karate, Tang Soo Do, Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu,… pic.twitter.com/I5vaysaf5p
— Don Keith (@RealDonKeith) March 20, 2026
Chuck Norris: Movies vs. Real Life pic.twitter.com/Bq2oPei7jr
— Steve (@SteveLovesAmmo) February 25, 2026
Chuck Norris push-ups: pic.twitter.com/0Fba8hEm8V
— erias (@xerias_x) March 21, 2026
A classic exchange between a US Marine and Chuck Norris. pic.twitter.com/OH2p2Kwy2Q
— Christopher Wipper (@SGTWipper1Each) March 21, 2026
I don’t think people realize how Big of a deal Chuck Norris to American culture especially in the Black community in the late ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. In 1996, he sued two karate studios bearing his name, alleging they engaged in racial discrimination against Black folks. RIP to the… pic.twitter.com/VjNfz3MYwH
— Woodz (@Nibiru1000) March 20, 2026