Chuck Norris Retired From Acting in 2018, So Where Is He Now?
Updated June 11 2020, 4:30 p.m. ET
The iconic Chuck Norris spans generations for different reasons. For those who were old enough to enjoy television from the 1970s into the '90s, you’ll know him as Walker, Texas Ranger, and Colt in Bruce Lee’s The Way of the Dragon.
If you are a later-years Millennial and Generation Z-er, then you may be familiar with the satirical art of Chuck-themed facts. In fact, you may have known about these hilarious lists before you even knew who Chuck was.
Though he may not be as active as he used to be as an actor, the red-headed epitome of toughness known as Chuck is still relevant.
Chuck is a fighter for real.
For those who aren’t sure as to why Chuck’s strength is the center of a meme, it’s because he is actually an incredible fighter.
Chuck became a martial artist while serving in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He holds a black belt in Tang Soo Do, Judo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
He is an All-American Karate and International Karate Championship titleholder and was friends with legendary martial artist Bruce Lee.
He’s the classic tough guy because he can literally and professionally defeat you.
Just so you know, Chuck is not dead.
It may be an odd thing to bring up, but there have been a few times where internet rumors about Chuck’s death have surfaced. The latest emerged only a few months after his birthday. This, of course, was a hoax. Chuck is still alive and he celebrated his 80th birthday back in March.
Not even movie ratings stand a chance against Chuck.
Chuck joined Sylvester Stallone in 2012’s Expendables 2. This was the last Hollywood film Chuck made before announcing his retirement from acting. Another Chuck fact that’s actually not a joke: in one swift chop, Chuck lowered the movie’s rating from R to PG-13.
If you’re wondering why an action star made an action movie softer, it has nothing to do with the action itself, but the language that was used. Apparently, Chuck will not be in films that use “vulgar dialogue.”
In an interview that was translated into English from Polish by Expendables Premier, Chuck explained how he managed to change the dialogue.
"Due to that, I said I won’t be a part of [Expendables 2] if the hardcore language is not erased," he said. "Producers accepted my conditions and the movie will be classified in the category of PG-13.”
Of course, he had to do something above and beyond tough: he just had to be incredibly decent!
He “toughened up” the Fiat for Europe.
In 2017, Chuck became the celebrity face for Fiat-Chrystler’s Fiat Professional advertisements. These were only aired in Europe, though.
The company believed that Chuck was still relevant enough to connect to younger generations and would ascribe his admirable traits to what is considered a smaller, less powerful car.
He just ended a lawsuit against a medical imaging manufacturer.
Chuck was involved in a lawsuit with Bracco Imaging from 2017-2020.
After Chuck’s wife Gena Norris claimed that the contrast imaging dye used for a routine MRI caused her “debilitating bouts of pain” and burning sensations, he quit Hollywood in order to care for her. In 2017, their attorneys claimed that the agent they used, gadolinium, had poisoned Gena.
Gadolinium is highly controversial and some have even called it harmful.
Chuck and Gena voluntarily ended the suit with the contrast agent manufacturer without a settlement on January 16, 2020.
He has kept up with politics and endorsed President Trump.
Chuck has been a proud Republican for years. He famously spoke out against President Obama’s reelection in 2012 and voted against California Proposition 8, which makes same-sex marriage legal, in 2008.
His endorsements for the 2016 election went down the line of Republican nominees until he finally endorsed Donald Trump. Chuck has also expressed support in favor of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visiting with him personally in 2017.
Chuck is laying low in 2020 — probably with his guns.
In terms of the spotlight, Chuck is selectively choosing not to stand in it. Still, his later years have become a bit more political, featuring his team-up with Glock, Inc. as their spokesperson in 2019.
At the April 2019 NRA conference, he said of Glock, “I’m honored to partner with this world-renowned brand. The values that I have built my life and brand on — tough, real, constant and powerful — are echoed in everything that GLOCK does and creates.”
Chuck doesn’t need to endorse a gun company for the public to know what he’s built his life on. But as much as he’s a fighter, he’s also an actor — so some sort of show must go on.
