Published on: March 20, 2026, 05:11h.

Updated on: March 20, 2026, 05:11h.

• A publicity spectacle in 1967 helped Chuck Norris launch his acting career in Hollywood
• Two decades later, the actor also played a pivotal role in shaping the UFC
• Chuck Norris passed away on Thursday, March 19, at the age of 86, reportedly due to a medical incident while training in Hawaii

The world pays tribute to Chuck Norris, who left us on March 19 at the age of 86, by acknowledging his immense impact on martial arts in American popular culture. A significant event connected to Las Vegas in 1967 helped him carve out this legacy.

Six years before facing Bruce Lee in Way of the Dragon, a 26-year-old Chuck Norris was an entrepreneur eager to expand his three Tang Soo Do karate studios in Southern California.

Dick Douglas, a wealthy lounge musician with a green belt, proposed flying Norris to Las Vegas bi-weekly to teach classes at his backyard dojo located on Palma Vista Avenue near the Las Vegas Country Club.

Recognizing a thriving demand for his expertise, the reigning professional middleweight karate champion established the Las Vegas Tang Soo Do (later known as Chuck Norris Karate Studios) in July 1967. This was at a location on the North Strip adjacent to the Susie Creamcheese boutique, opposite what is currently Resorts World. Both shops were later occupied from 1972 onward by the Peppermill Restaurant and its parking facilities.

A New Martial Arts Presence

In the 1960s, most Americans viewed martial arts as a mysterious and dangerous domain. To effectively market his school to a wider audience, Norris sought the help of one of the most formidable promotional forces: the Las Vegas News Bureau, which serves the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Bureau photographer Don English suggested his friend Debbie Reynolds, the reigning queen of the Stardust, who wanted to enhance her relevance by appearing lively and trendy. Thus, a photo shoot was arranged where the petite 35-year-old star of Singing in the Rain “battled” the hottest rising martial artist of the time.

The captivating photo series, taken in the presidential suite and on the pool deck of the Stardust, showcased Reynolds executing an upward elbow strike toward Norris’ chin. The narrative spun was that Reynolds had begun practicing karate to boost her stage endurance.

Once the photo made it to the Associated Press, it helped promote the idea that martial arts were approachable and stylish enough for Hollywood, paving the way for Chuck Norris to eventually join the ranks of Hollywood’s elite with his future role in “Walker, Texas Ranger.”

In the short term, Norris received requests to personally instruct celebrities like Priscilla Presley, Steve McQueen, Donny and Marie Osmond, Michael Landon, and James Garner in Los Angeles.

Norris expanded his Las Vegas studio into the international headquarters for his United Fighting Arts Federation (UFAF). Since 1979, he has returned to Las Vegas annually every July to host the UFAF International Training Conference and World Championship, serving as a platform for evaluating new black belt candidates.

Notably, it was during one such UFAF conference in a Riviera ballroom in July 1988 that Norris sowed the seeds for the UFC.

He introduced his instructors to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu through the Gracie family (including fighters Rorion, Rickson, and Royce), with whom he trained starting in 1980.

One by one, the Gracie brothers showcased to Norris’ top-ranked black belts — including Dick Douglas — that traditional striking styles were ineffective once a fight hit the ground.

The UFAF conference remains a tradition, scheduled to take place at the Rio from July 16-19, 2026.

Norris passed away on Thursday, “surrounded by his family,” as noted in a message shared on social media. A cause of death was not disclosed, but TMZ reported he suffered a “medical emergency” while training on Kauai a day prior.

Just 10 days before his passing, Norris celebrated his 86th birthday by posting a video on social media where he was seen sparring with a trainer.