March 23, 2026, 10:08 a.m. ET
Chuck Norris’ children are speaking out after the legendary action star’s death.
In a post to Instagram over the weekend, Norris’ daughter, Danilee Norris, shared several photos of herself alongside the actor and wrote that “losing a parent is something that you are never prepared for.”
“My dad was my protector. The moment I was born and as soon as he took me in his arms, I’ve been his little girl,” Danilee Norris wrote. “My dad loved so deeply and cared for every single person in his life with so much tenderness. He may have a warrior exterior, but his heart was so full of love and I’m so grateful that is something he and my mom passed down to me.”
Norris died Thursday, March 19 at 86, his family announced on Instagram the following day. No cause was cited for his death.
“To say how thankful I am for him being my dad is an understatement. He has been my safe person these past 24 years and I am constantly filled with gratitude for how much wisdom and love he has bestowed me and my brother,” she continued.
Danilee Norris is a twin, born to Chuck Norris and his wife, Gena O’Kelley, along with son, Dakota Norris. They are both 24.
“I will forever carry on his legacy and shower others in that compassion that he so frequently showed. There is so much I want to say with 24 years worth of memories I could write about, but I will go ahead and at least say this – I could not have asked the Lord for a more amazing father,” Danilee Norris wrote. “Thank you, Dad, for supporting me in all my passions and for pushing me to not shy away from the impossible. Thank you for your constant compassion and for loving me so much that it’s made me learn to love myself. I promise I will always and forever try to make you proud even if you already reminded me every day that it was impossible not to. I love you forever.”
Dakota Norris also shared a lengthy tribute to his father on Instagram, sharing several black and white photos of the two of them throughout life and describing the actor as “the man I looked up to my whole life.”
“Your generosity, your kindness, your courage, your integrity, your strength, your discipline, and your faith in the Lord were just a handful of things I always admired about you. You lived your life with purpose and with love for all people,” he wrote. “You were the greatest father God could have ever given me and the finest man I’ve ever known. No matter what I was going through, you were always there.”
“You made sure I knew how much you loved me. Honest to God, I don’t think there was a single day that went by where you didn’t say it. I’m so proud to be your son. The memories we made, the lessons you taught me, and the constant laughs we shared will stay with me for the rest of my life,” Dakota Norris continued. “Thank you for everything you gave to our family and for the example you set every day. I hope I can live a life that honors you and makes you proud.”
Norris, a martial artist and action movie icon, became an increasingly exaggerated legend of toughness among his adoring fans. A martial arts teacher and karate champion, he was cast by Bruce Lee as the villain Colt in Lee’s 1972 film “The Way of the Dragon.” Their fight scene, set in Rome’s Colosseum, is one of the most famous martial arts screen fights and the rare screen battle that Norris lost (broken neck).
He is survived by O’Kelley, whom he married in 1998, and five children: Dakota and Danilee Norris, as well as sons Mike and Eric Norris (from his first marriage to Diane Holechek), and Dina Norris DiCiolli (from a previous relationship).
