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Chuck Norris (Texas Ranger) is known for his iconic tough-guy image and his humorous and exaggerated reputation as a superhuman figure with extraordinary abilities. Chuck Norris is a Hollywood icon who has worked in the film industry for over four decades.Norris made his movie acting debut in The Wrecking Crew (1968) and has starred in many other action films. In his more than four decades of acting, Chuck Norris has starred in many films that have been both critically acclaimed and financially successful, including The Expendables 2, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, and Invasion U.S.A., to mention a few.
Off-screen, Norris has participated in several charitable endeavors and published books on martial arts, fitness, and personal development. Chuck Norris continues to be recognized and celebrated for his contributions to the film industry.
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Lone Wolf McQuade (1983) -$12 million
Lone Wolf McQuade is an American action film directed by Steve Carver and starring Chuck Norris, David Carradine, and Barbara Carrera, among others. Lone Wolf McQuade is one of Chuck Norris' notable roles and is often regarded as a classic action film from the 1980s. Chuck Norris plays the lead role of J.J. McQuade. The film features Norris' signature martial arts skills and action-packed sequences, showcasing his character's relentless determination to bring down the criminals. The film grossed around $12 million.
Braddock: Missing in Action III (1988) -$16 million
In the 1988 film Braddock: Missing in Action III, Chuck Norris reprises his role as Colonel James Braddock, a former prisoner of war (POW) in Vietnam. The film is the third installment in the Missing in Action series. Braddock is living a peaceful life in the United States when he learns that his wife, presumed dead, is still alive and held captive in a labor camp in Vietnam. Determined to rescue her, Braddock returns to Vietnam and embarks on a dangerous mission to save her and other POWs still held captive. This sequel to Missing in Action performed well at the box office, grossing around $16 million.
The Delta Force (1986) -$17 million
The Delta Force is an action film directed by Menahem Golan that stars Martin Balsam, Joey Bishop, Robert Vaughn, and Liam Neeson, among others. The Delta Force is loosely based on the real-life events of the hijacking of TWA Flight 847 in 1985. In the film, a group of terrorists hijacks a commercial airliner and holds the passenger's hostage. Major McCoy (Chuck Norris) and a team of elite commandos known as the Delta Force are called to rescue the hostages and eliminate the terrorist group. This movie showcases Norris' action hero position and ability to produce spectacular battle scenes and violent action sequences.
Invasion U.S.A. (1985) -$17 million
This action film was released in 1985, and Chuck Norris plays the lead role of Matt Hunter, a former CIA agent. It tells the story of a ruthless terrorist group that launches an invasion of the United States, aiming to destabilize the country and spread fear among its citizens. As chaos unfolds, Matt Hunter, portrayed by Chuck Norris, is reluctantly pulled back into action to thwart the terrorists' plans and protect his homeland. Invasion U.S.A. established Chuck Norris as an action film legend.
Code of Silence (1985) -$20 million
Andrew Davis directs the 1985 film Code of Silence, and Chuck Norris plays the role of Eddie Cusack, a tough and dedicated Chicago police officer. Eddie Cusack finds himself in a risky situation involving a strong drug gang and corrupt police officers. When a drug deal goes wrong, Cusack becomes a target for criminals and crooked officers looking to silence him. Cusack takes matters into his own hands to reveal the truth and defend the innocent.
Missing in action (1984) -$22 million
Chuck Norris plays the lead role of Colonel James Braddock. Colonel James Braddock is a former prisoner of war (POW) held captive during the Vietnam War. Years after his release, Braddock learns that American soldiers are still being held in brutal Vietnamese prison camps. Motivated by a sense of duty and justice, Braddock returns to Vietnam on a personal mission to rescue his fellow soldiers and bring them home. The film grossed around $22 million at the box office and created successful sequels. The movie is,directed by Joseph Zito, earned $22 million worldwide, leading to a franchise with several series.
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story(2004) -$167 million
In Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, the plot revolves around a group of misfits who form a dodgeball team called Average Joe's Gym to compete against a highly skilled and arrogant team from Globo Gym, led by White Goodman (played by Ben Stiller). Chuck Norris' cameo in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story became one of the film's most memorable moments, with his character's name and martial arts reputation being used for comedic effect. The role displays Norris' pop culture hero status as well as his ability to play on his tough-guy attitude.
The Expendables 2 (2012) -$315 million
The movie is an action-packed ensemble film directed by Simon West. Chuck Norris plays the character Booker, also known as The Lone Wolf. The Expendables 2 is the sequel to the first Expendables film and follows a team of highly skilled mercenaries known as The Expendables. In this installment, the team tries to retrieve a hidden treasure and stop a dangerous arms dealer. Chuck Norris' character, Booker, is a retired team member who reluctantly joins them for the mission.Along with Chuck, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger appear in the film. The movie grossed over $315 million worldwide.
Sources: The-numbers, Screenrant, Buddytv, Ultimateactionmovies