Norris was hospitalized in Hawaii on Thursday, and his family saiid that he died that morning. “While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace,” his family wrote.

“To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength. To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family,” they stated. “He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved. Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives.”

Norris was prolific in the late 1970s and 1980s, starring in “The Delta Force” and “Missing in Action” films, “Good Guys Wear Black” (1978), “The Octagon” (1980), “Lone Wolf McQuade” (1983), “Code of Silence” (1985) and “Firewalker” (1986).

While he scored high on credibility, Norris did not leaven his work with humor the way Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis and Jackie Chan did. He was nevertheless the action star of choice for those seeking an all-American icon.

As Norris’ movie career began to wane, he made a move to TV, starring in the CBS series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” inspired by his film “Lone Wolf McQuade.” The program ran from 1993-2001, and the actor reprised the role of Cordell Walker in the TV movies “Walker Texas Ranger 3: Deadly Reunion” (1994) and “Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire” (2005).

In 2005, Norris made the last film in which he starred, the straight-to-DVD The Cutter.

Carlos Ray Norris was born in Ryan, Oklahma; his father served as a soldier in World War II. In 1958, he joined the Air Force as an Air Policeman (AP, analogous to the Army’s MPs). While serving at Osan Air Base in South Korea, Norris first acquired the nickname “Chuck” and began his training in Tang Soo Do (aka tangsudo), leading to his achievements in other martial arts and to his development of hybrid style Chun Kuk Do (“The Universal Way”). He returned to the U.S. and served as an AP at March Air Force Base in California.

Norris made his acting debut in uncredited role in the 1969 cult Matt Helm film The Wrecking Crew, starring Dean Martin.

Norris met Bruce Lee at a martial arts demonstration in Long Beach, Calif., and played the nemesis of Lee’s character in 1972 movie “The Way of the Dragon” (retitled “Return of the Dragon” for U.S. distribution). In 1974 McQueen spurred Norris to begin taking acting classes at MGM.

The actor proved his box office clout with “Good Guys Wear Black” (1978), “The Octagon” (1980), “An Eye for an Eye” (1981) and “Lone Wolf McQuade.”

Cannon Films Action Star

Over the next four years, he became Cannon Films’s most prominent star, appearing in 8 films, including the three “Missing in Action” films; “Code of Silence,” the two “Delta Force” films and “Firewalker.”

Norris’ brother Aaron Norris produced several of these films, and also became a producer on “Walker, Texas Ranger.”

Norris was twice married, the first time to Dianne Holechek from 1958 until their divorce in 1988.

He is survived by second wife Gena O’Kelley, whom he married in 1998; two sons, Eric and Mike, daughters Dakota, Danilee and Dina; and several  grandchildren.