Vale Chuck Norris

(March 10, 1940 – March 19, 2026)

Most people these days, especially those born after the 1990’s know of US Movie and TV star Chuck Norris mainly as the focus of a series of mimetic jokes centred around his superhuman strength and martial arts prowess.

Those of us who are a bit older remember his tv series Texas, Walker Ranger, and his action movies throughout the 70’s and 80’s, starting with the classic fight against Bruce Lee in the Colosseum from Way of the Dragon (1972).

What very few people would know though, is that despite his fame in the world of movies (and memes!), he was actually a very accomplished and skilled martial arts practitioner.

As a US Airman in 1958, he was stationed at Osan Air Base, in South Korea, where he learnt Tangsoodo, a precursor to modern Taekwondo, and an family branch of Moodukkwan (which we identify with).

Because of this TSD/MDK link, his Head Instructor (who later emigrated to the US), and Grand Master Lee’s original Head Instructor in Korea, belonged to the same training/learning group under MDK founder Hwang Kee.

Which is how Chuck Norris came to tour his movies to Australia twice in the late 70’s/early 80’s, visiting Lee’s Taekwondo Academy and eating Mrs Lee’s Korean beef BBQ in our Linden Park back garden.

He participated in demonstrations while is Adelaide, and visited our Dojang (training centre) to meet our students.

I remember him being very kind and humble, exactly opposite what you might think movie star might have been.

I know in his later life he may have developed some controversial views, However I can only speak to what I experienced and I this is how I prefer to remember him for now ..

Thank you Chuck Norris for your influence and advancement of Martial Arts to the world.

Vale
The Lee Family
Adelaide, South Australia
19 Mar 2026