Chuck Norris' Net Worth: How This Martial Arts Expert and Actor Roundhouse Kicked His Way from Lower-Class to $70 Million

Chuck Norris is one of the most famous and well-known actors, athletes, and celebrities in the world. Learn all about his net worth, religion, ethnicity, marital status, weight, and height here!

Chuck Norris is an American martial arts champion, professional actor, and author. He has a massive cult following and is the subject of hysterical one-liners and memes. But before amassing a net worth of $70 million, his life was anything but picture-perfect. His rags-to-riches story is a true example of the American Dream.

Who is Chuck Norris?

On October 10, 1940, Wilma Norris gave birth to her first child, Carlos Ray Norris. Little did she know her son would rise to fame as an actor and martial arts expert known across the world as Chuck Norris.

Growing up, his father, Ray Norris, worked as a truck driver, bus driver, and mechanic to financially support his family. Ray was also an alcoholic. Eventually, his parents divorced, and Ray pretty much vanished. Chuck found himself helping his mother raise his two younger brothers.

Read about this billionaire who also grew up without a father.

After graduating high school, Chuck Norris joined the United States Air Force. He started studying martial arts while stationed in South Korea. It became his passion. After leaving the service, he became a karate instructor.

Realizing he could earn a stable living teaching martial arts, Norris opened his own karate studios. He owned over 30 studios during the 1960s. A fierce competitor, he also competed in countless martial arts championships, winning several titles. He won the World Middleweight Karate Championship an impressive six times.

While teaching karate, Chuck Norris worked with several celebrities. One of his students just happened to be Steve McQueen, a well-known actor from The Great Escape. McQueen liked Norris and encouraged him to give acting a try. A fight scene alongside Bruce Lee in Way of the Dragon made audiences and producers notice Norris. He went on to star in countless feature films and television shows before retiring from acting in 2018.

How much is Chuck Norris' net worth? How did he earn his money? And is he still alive? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about this martial arts expert and beloved actor.

How much is Chuck Norris worth today?

Like many fans, you probably want to know how much Chuck Norris is worth. Let's just say that if Chuck Norris has $100 and you have $100, Chuck Norris still has more money than you.

But seriously, the martial artist turned actor makes a lot of money. Today, he is worth about 70 million dollars.

How did Chuck Norris make his money?

After watching a few Chuck Norris flicks, you might assume he made his money solely from roundhouse kicks and fight scenes with Bruce Lee. But there are many more layers to Chuck Norris' net worth. His money comes from multiple sources.

Movie roles make up the majority of his wealth. His films have generated over $500 million in revenue worldwide. Norris earned a set salary for each movie. He brought home $40,000 for Good Guys Wear Black, $125,000 for A Force of One, and $250,000 for An Eye for an Eye.

As the leading role in Walker, Texas Ranger, Norris made a sizable income. The hit television series lasted for eight seasons. And towards the end, he made around $375,00 per episode. In total, he earned over $30 million from Walker alone.

Although retired, Norris earns money from cameo appearances on other popular shows. Fans got to see him on Hawaii Five-0 and The Goldbergs.

Another portion of Chuck Norris' worth comes from his martial arts studios. He opened the first one in the 1960s, and many remain open today. In 1979, Norris started the United Fighting Arts Federation to provide martial arts schools with certifications and educational opportunities.

Like many successful millionaires, Chuck Norris made money from writing. A man of many words, he penned five books. They include:

• Toughen Up! The Chuck Norris Fitness System
• Black Belt Patriotism: How to Reawaken America
• The Secret of Inner Strength: My Story
• The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book
• A Threat to Justice

Corporate sponsorships and endorsements make up the rest of his income.

Chuck Norris Real Name, Birthday, Wiki

Only diehard fans know that Chuck Norris' real name is Carlos. And no, he's not Hispanic. His parents named him after their minister. His super cool nickname is Ground Chuck. He kicked his way into the world on October 10, 1940—rumor is that when the doctor spanked him, baby Norris spanked back! You can find his entertaining Wiki page here.

Chuck Norris' Investments

Hoping to take his net worth to the moon, Norris primarily invests in gold and silver. But understanding the importance of diversification, he maintains an investment portfolio in the stock market. He also owns several real estate properties, multiple cars, and a few yachts.

What are some of the entertainment projects Chuck Norris has been involved in?

Besides playing lead characters, Chuck Norris is an accomplished writer and executive producer for many hit movies and shows. Examples include:

• Invasion U.S.A. (writer and actor)
• Braddock: Mission in Action III (writer and actor)
• The President's Man (executive producer and actor)
• Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire (executive producer)

FAQs

Are you Chuck Norris’s biggest fan? Get ready to test your Ground Chuck knowledge!

What's Chuck Norris's net worth?

Chuck Norris' net worth for 2022 is an estimated $70 million. Curious about past years? The exact figures for Chuck Norris net worth 2020 and Chuck Norris net worth 2021 are unknown. But we can assume he’s hit a few rocky patches along the way, like this high-achiever who rebuilt after losing it all.

And if you see an online advertisement claiming, "Chuck Norris net worth left his family in tears," it's just clickbait. No one really knows what prompted this strange net worth hoax.  

How did Chuck Norris make his money?

Norris relies on several income sources, including:

• Acting
• Martial arts teaching
• Sponsorships and endorsements
• Books

What are some of Chuck Norris's most famous roles?

Chuck Norris has starred in over 35 movies and several television shows. Some of the most popular are:

• Walker, Texas Ranger (TV series)
• The Way of the Dragon
• The Delta Force
• Forced Vengeance
• Code of Silence
• Firewalker
• A Force of One
• Lone Wolf McQuade
• Breaker! Breaker!
• Invasion U.S.A.

What is Chuck Norris's height?

Norris has a height of 5 feet 10 inches, which is 1-2 inches taller than the average man. But of course, if you are also 5 feet 10 inches, Chuck Norris is taller than you.

What is Chuck Norris's weight?

Chuck Norris weighs between 159 and 170 pounds. And most of his weight is solid muscle!

What is Chuck Norris's ethnicity?

Norris is a mix of Irish and Native American. He is one-quarter Cherokee.

What is Chuck Norris's religion?

Both Chuck Norris and his wife are Christians.

What is Chuck Norris's marital status?

Sorry singles! Chuck Norris is a taken man. He married Gena O'Kelley in 1998. The couple met in 1997 while filming a television series together. Despite a 23-year age difference (O'Kelley is younger), their marriage is still going strong.

Norris's first wife was his high-school sweetheart, Dianne Kay Holechek. They married in 1958 but divorced after 30 years while Norris was filming Delta Force 2.

Does Chuck Norris have any kids?

He has five biological children. And when Chuck Norris tells a dad joke, no one rolls their eyes.

During his first marriage, he welcomed two sons: Mike in 1962 and Eric in 1964. Following in their father's footsteps, both sons have extensive acting careers. Mike also dabbles in stunt work and directing. Eric is a competitive race car driver, with 87 races and three wins under his seatbelt.

Norris's oldest daughter, Dina, was born in 1963. She was the result of an extramarital affair. He didn't know about her until 1991 but has worked hard to build a father-daughter relationship. As he said, "I didn't need DNA or blood tests. I went to her, wrapped my arms around her, and we both started crying."

In 2001, O'Kelley gave birth to Dakota Alan and Danilee Kelly. The fraternal twins embraced their dad's love for martial arts. Dakota is a fifth-degree black belt and a five-time UFAF champion. Danilee is also a black belt.

What are Chuck Norris's hobbies?

Fans agree that Chuck Norris's best hobby is kicking ass! And that's not a bad guess. He still works out regularly and enjoys other sports. But his main priority is his family. His wife is a gadolinium poisoning survivor, and he retired to care for her.

What is Chuck Norris's political affiliation?

Not shy about his political beliefs, Chuck Norris is a proud Republican. He has a history of supporting conservative candidates. Mike Huckabee, Former Governor of Arkansas, once stated, "Chuck Norris doesn't endorse. He tells America how it's going to be."

During the 2020 midterms, he openly endorsed Republican candidate Blake Masters in the Arizona US Senate race. Although this endorsement helped tighten the race, it wasn't enough to secure the election for Masters, who lost to Democratic incumbent Mark Kelly.

Is Chuck Norris Dead or Alive?

Despite his unfortunate death, Chuck Norris is very much alive and well! Although rumors of his death spread online during the Coronavirus outbreak in 2020, the martial arts champion didn't succumb to the virus. (Nor is there proof he ever contracted it.) But the internet hoax inspired a string of knee-slapping, satirical Chuck Norris facts.

Takeaway

Success doesn't depend on your upbringing, status, or wealth. You create it yourself. Chuck Norris fought his way from lower-class America to the Hollywood elite. And instead of spending on frivolous things, Chuck Norris' net worth goes into a diverse portfolio, cares for his family, and donates to meaningful causes.

You, too, can kick ass and climb your way to the top. All you need is the perfect business for YOU… one that’s exciting, highly-lucrative, and that makes the world a better place all at the same time. Watch this free video to find your million dollar business idea.

Written by Jenn Hunter

Jenn Hunter is a freelance B2B and B2C writer who loves research more than chocolate. Her literary idols include Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Merriam-Webster, and the Oxford comma. A self-inflicted insomniac, she combats perpetual writer’s block with cold showers and soy lattes.