Legendary actor Chuck Norris has died after he was hospitalized in Hawaii following a reported medical emergency.

His family confirmed today that the 86-year-old icon died yesterday morning.

He had reportedly been hospitalized on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

“While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace,” his family’s statement said. “We know many of you had heard about his recent hospitalization, and we are truly grateful for the prayers and support you sent his way. As we grieve this loss, we kindly ask for privacy for our family during this time.”

The emergency happened a week after Norris’ birthday, when the star posted a video on social media showing him sparring with a physical trainer.

“Nothing like some playful action on a sunny day to make you feel young,” Norris said in the video’s caption. “I’m grateful for another year, good health and the chance to keep doing what I love. Thank you all for being the best fans in the world. Your support through the years has meant more to me than you’ll ever know.”

Norris quickly went from an Air Force veteran and martial arts trainer to an American icon. The now world-renowned actor got his start in Hollywood when Bruce Lee invited him to play one of the main villains in the 1972 movie “The Way of the Dragon.” Soon after, he became an international action star, acting in the lead role in numerous movies throughout the 1980s before starring in the long-running hit show “Walker, Texas Ranger.”

While Norris continued acting, friend and student Steve McQueen suggested he take it seriously. Norris took the starring role in the action film Breaker! Breaker! (1977), which turned a profit. His second lead, Good Guys Wear Black (1978), became a hit, and he soon became a popular action film star.

Norris went on to headline a series of commercially successful independent action and martial arts films, including A Force of One (1979), The Octagon (1980), and An Eye for an Eye (1981), which elevated him to international fame. He later starred in studio productions such as Silent Rage (1982), Forced Vengeance (1982), and Lone Wolf McQuade (1983). His success led Cannon Films to sign him to a multi‑picture deal beginning with Missing in Action (1984), which launched a trilogy and cemented his status as the company’s leading star throughout the 1980s. His work during this period included Invasion U.S.A (1985), The Delta Force (1986), and Firewalker (1986). Outside of Cannon, he also starred in Code of Silence (1985), regarded as one of his strongest films. In the 1990s, Norris played the title role in the long‑running CBS series Walker, Texas Ranger (1993–2001). Until 2006, Norris continued taking lead roles in action movies. He continued to appear in action films until 2006, and his final major film role was in The Expendables 2 (2012).

Throughout his film and TV career, Norris diversified from his regular endeavors. As a writer, he was a New York Times bestselling author of books on martial arts, exercise, philosophy, his conservative politics, Christian western fiction, self-help, and biographies, and he also served as a columnist for WorldNetDaily. Norris also appeared in several commercials endorsing several products, most notably being one of the main spokespersons for the Total Gym infomercials. In 2005, Norris found new fame on the Internet when Chuck Norris facts became an Internet meme documenting humorous, fictional, and often absurd feats of strength and endurance. Although Norris himself did not produce the “facts”, he was hired to endorse many products that incorporated Chuck Norris facts in advertising. The phenomenon resulted in six books, some of them New York Times bestsellers, as well as two video games, and several appearances on talk shows, such as Late Night with Conan O’Brien, in which he read the “facts” or participated in sketches.

In 1990, Norris established the United Fighting Arts Federation and Kickstart Kids. As a significant part of his philanthropic contributions, the organization was formed to develop self-esteem and focus in at-risk children as a tactic to keep them away from drug-related pressure by training them in martial arts. Norris hoped that by shifting middle school and high school children’s focus towards this positive and strengthening endeavor, these children will have the opportunity to build a better future for themselves. Norris had a ranch in Navasota, Texas, and a bottled water production facility on that ranch, a portion of the sales support environmental initiatives and Kickstart Kids.

He was known for his contributions towards organizations such as Funds for Kids, Veteran’s Administration National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans, the United Way, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the form of donations as well as fund-raising activities.

His time with the U.S. Veterans Administration as a spokesperson was inspired by his experience serving the United States Air Force in Korea. His objective had been to popularize the issues that concern hospitalized war veterans such as pensions and health care. Due to his significant contributions, and continued support, he received the Veteran of the Year award in 2001 at the American Veteran Awards.