Chuck Norris dies aged 86 following medical emergency in Hawaii

Legendary actor Chuck Norris died at the age of 86 following a sudden medical emergency in Hawaii.

The tough guy and martial arts legend passed away Thursday morning, his family announced in a post on Instagram.

The family said, “Our family shares with sadness the sudden death of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning.”

‘While we want to keep this situation private, please know that he is surrounded by his family and is at peace.’

It’s unclear what medical emergency the actor was suffering from.

His family remembered Norris as ‘a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother and the heart of our family.’

‘He lived his life with faith, purpose and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved. ‘With his work, discipline and kindness he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on many lives.’

Norris was known for action roles such as ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’ and ‘The Delta Force’ in the 1980s and became a cult figure on social media in later years.

Norris was known for action roles such as ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’ and ‘The Delta Force’ in the 1980s and became a cult figure on social media in his later years.

Norris is seen in an Instagram video he shared with fans a few weeks before his death on Thursday.

The actor was a famous martial artist and fitness guru, and earlier this month he celebrated his birthday by sharing a video of himself keeping fit during a workout.

The star made the following statement to the clip: ‘I am not getting old. I’m leveling up.

‘I am 86 years old today! There’s nothing like some fun action to make you feel young on a sunny day. I’m grateful for another year of good health and the chance to continue doing what I love.

‘Thank you all for being the best fans in the world. Your support over the years has meant so much more to me than you know. God bless Chuck Norris.’

In his family’s post on Instagram announcing his death, Norris was praised for ‘living his life with faith, purpose and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved’.

‘With his work, discipline and kindness he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on many lives.’

Norris largely stayed away from acting roles in his later years, but did appear in small roles in action films, including ‘The Expendables 2’.

The actor was also a famous martial artist and fitness guru, and had been sharing workout clips just weeks before his sudden death on Thursday.

The beloved action star was seen with Bruce Lee on the set of Way of the Dragon in 1972.

Norris largely stayed away from acting roles in his later years, but has appeared in small roles in action films over the past decade.

Norris was born in Oklahoma in 1940 and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1958 to 1962.

He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989 and has become a cult figure in the fitness and action industries.

His first wife, Dianne Holecheck, passed away in December. The couple married in 1958 and had two children; actor Mike and NASCAR champion Eric Norris.

Norris and Holecheck separated in 1988, the same year Norris married Gena O’Kelly and had twin children, Dakota and Danilee, in 2001. She also had a daughter from an extramarital affair in 1962.

In a tribute, Norris’ family said the actor was ‘deeply grateful for the life he lived’.

‘The love and support he has received from fans all over the world has meant so much to him and our family is truly grateful for that. To him, you were not only a fan, but also his friend,’ the family said.

Norris and his first wife Dianne Holecheck, with whom he shares two sons

Norris and his second wife Gena O’Kelly were seen together in 1999

Norris with his second wife, Gena O’Kelly, earlier this year

Tributes poured in for Norris following the news of his death.

His son Dakota said in his Instagram post: ‘Dad, it’s hard to find the right words for this, but I’ll do my best. You were the man I looked up to throughout my life.

‘Your generosity, kindness, courage, honesty, strength, discipline and faith in the Lord were just some of the things I have always admired about you. ‘You lived your life with purpose and love for all people.’