Chuck Norris Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Chuck Norris’ Net Worth and Salary?

Chuck Norris, an American martial artist, actor, screenwriter, and producer, boasts a net worth of $70 million. He rose to fame as a martial artist during the 1960s, where he secured numerous championships. His acting journey commenced in the 1970s, with a significant breakthrough in the 1972 film “Way of the Dragon,” where he starred alongside Bruce Lee.

During the 1980s and early 1990s, Norris became a leading figure in action films, featuring prominently in titles like “Lone Wolf McQuade,” “Missing in Action,” and “The Delta Force.” His martial arts skills and tough-guy image became hallmarks of his extensive filmography.

Further enhancing his popularity, Norris took on the leading role in the television series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” which aired from 1993 to 2001. This show solidified his stature as a pop culture icon.

In addition to his career in entertainment, Norris is recognized for his conservative political beliefs and philanthropic work. He has written multiple books on martial arts, fitness, and philosophy.

Recently, Norris has been the focus of a multitude of internet memes and jokes that celebrate his iconic toughness and perceived invincibility, thereby reinforcing his presence in popular culture.

Early Life

Carlos Ray “Chuck” Norris was born on March 10, 1940, in Ryan, Oklahoma. He is the eldest of three brothers. At the age of 16, his parents divorced, prompting him to move with his mother and two younger siblings to Prairie Village, Kansas, and subsequently to Torrance, California. As a child, Norris was not particularly athletic; he was shy and only an average student. His father struggled with alcoholism, often engaging in binge drinking for extended periods.

Martial Arts Career

Norris enlisted in the Air Force in 1958, serving as an Air Policeman at Osan Air Base in South Korea, where he began his martial arts training. Upon returning to the U.S., he was stationed at March Air Force Base in California. He completed his service in the Air Force in the late summer of 1962, subsequently applying for a police officer position in Torrance, California, while launching a martial arts studio. Norris participated in various martial arts tournaments, initially suffering defeats in his first two competitions along with three losses at the International Karate Championships. By 1967, Norris had honed his skills enough to achieve victories, notably defeating seven opponents on June 3, 1967. By this stage, he had established a chain of karate schools frequented by celebrities, such as Steve McQueen, Priscilla Presley, and Donny and Marie Osmond. Early in 1968, Norris faced his tenth and final career defeat and later that year claimed his first of six consecutive Professional Middleweight Karate championships. It was also during this period that he forged a friendship with actor Bruce Lee.

Film and TV Career

Norris claimed Karate’s Triple Crown in 1969, achieving the highest number of tournament victories that year. He also received the Fighter of the Year accolade and made his acting debut in “The Wrecking Crew,” alongside Dean Martin. In 1972, he featured alongside Bruce Lee in “Way of the Dragon”/”Return of the Dragon.” The film’s producer requested the 5’10” Norris to gain 20 pounds for the role to appear more imposing against Bruce Lee on screen. In a 2007 interview, Norris noted: “That’s why I don’t do jump

kicks [in the movie]. “I couldn’t get off the ground!”

In the early 1980s, “Action Jeans” had Chuck Norris as its spokesperson. Initially branded as Karate Jeans, these pants featured flexible fabric stitched into the crotch to enable the wearer to perform perfect kicks while still looking stylish. For several years, Norris promoted these jeans.

During the 1980s, he had his own animated series titled “Chuck Norris: Karate Kommandos,” showcasing Norris alongside characters like The Claw and Superninja. However, the show was ultimately canceled due to its excessive violence.

From 1993 until 2001, Chuck Norris portrayed the lead character in the hugely popular television series “Walker, Texas Ranger.” In the 2012 film “The Expendables 2,” he took on the role of a mercenary, a film that achieved over $310 million in worldwide earnings. Norris also made an appearance in the 2020 series finale of “Hawaii Five-O.”

Walker, Texas Ranger Lawsuit

In 2018, Chuck and his Top Kick Productions filed a lawsuit against CBS and Sony Pictures Television concerning profits from Walker, Texas Ranger, with claims exceeding $30 million in damages. This lawsuit asserted that an agreement was made between Norris and CBS back in the early 90s when the network began distributing the show. Under this agreement, Norris was entitled to 23% of all profits “earned from any, and all, exploitation of Walker.“

The lawsuit claimed that CBS did not adhere to this agreement. Instead, it alleged that the network “has continually sought to market, sell and distribute Walker in ways aimed at collecting significant fees and revenues from ongoing exploitation of Walker, while failing to pay Top Kick and materially breaching the 23 Percent Profit Clause.”

CBS and Sony were also accused of “concealing information regarding their exploitation efforts of Walker on streaming video on demand (SVOD) services.” Although Walker, Texas Ranger ended in 2001 after an eight-year tenure on CBS, Norris’ lawsuit contends that the show remained popular due to “the well-known internet phenomenon through which younger generations have connected over humor and anecdotes widely recognized as ‘Chuck Norris Facts,'” along with his appearances in films such as Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story and The Expendables 2.

Other Ventures

During the 2010s and into the 2020s, Chuck Norris featured in advertisements for numerous brands, including World of Warcraft, T-Mobile, Hoegaarden, United Healthcare, Cerveza Poker, Toyota, and QuikTrip. In 2012, he and his wife established the drinking water company CForce Bottling Co. after discovering an aquifer on their ranch. Norris became the ambassador for Fiat in 2017, and his likeness has appeared in mobile video games such as World of Tanks.

Personal Life

In December 1958, 18-year-old Chuck Norris wed 17-year-old Dianne Holechek, having met her two years prior in high school. Their son Mike was born in 1962, followed by their second son, Eric, in 1964. Additionally, he had a daughter from an affair in 1963, whom he did not meet.

until she turned 26. In 1989, Norris and Holecheck finalized their divorce. Later, in late 1998, Norris entered into marriage with former model Gena O’Kelkey, who has two children from her prior marriage. In late August 2001, she welcomed twins into the world. Norris also boasts a lineage of over a dozen grandchildren.

At the age of 18, while serving in the U.S. Air Force, he acquired the nickname Chuck.

It was the actor Steve McQueen who encouraged Chuck to pursue a career in acting.

Outspoken about his Christian beliefs, Norris has authored multiple books centered around Christianity.

He has been a dedicated supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the United Way. In 1992, with assistance from President George Bush, Norris founded his charitable organization called Kickstart, which provides martial arts training to middle school students. The aim is to impart respect, discipline, and enhance their self-esteem. Norris identifies as a devout Christian with conservative political views.

In recognition of his efforts to raise awareness for the elite Texas Rangers unit, as well as his initiatives to aid underprivileged youths through martial arts programs, Norris was appointed an honorary member of the Texas Rangers in 2010 by Texas Governor Rick Perry. His brother, Aaron Norris, who served as an executive producer on the show, was also granted honorary Texas Ranger status.

Real Estate

In 2013, Norris put his Dallas residence on the market for $1.2 million. This home, which he shared with his brother Aaron during his time on Walker, Texas Ranger, spans 7,362 square feet and includes four bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a home theater, and a weight room. Additionally, it features its own lake. The property also contains a separate building that served as a studio throughout the production of Walker, Texas Ranger.

Currently, Chuck Norris and his family reside at Lone Wolf Ranch in Navasota, Texas, where they operate their water bottling company, CForce, situated on 1,000 acres of grassland.