Chuck Norris death: Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Lee Majors pay tribute

The death of Chuck Norris has triggered an outpouring of memorials from fellow Hollywood tough guys and fans. The martial arts grandmaster and action star of Walker, Texas Ranger died Thursday, in what his family described as a “sudden passing.”

Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren were some contemporaries of Norris who took to social media to pay their respects.

Here’s what some are saying, in their own words:

“Laura and I are saddened by Chuck Norris’s passing. He was a legend in Texas and beyond. Through his foundation and his example, he made a huge difference in the lives of young people by instilling character and discipline through martial arts. It was said that when Chuck Norris entered a room, he didn’t turn the lights on; he turned the dark off. Laura and I are fortunate to have called him a friend, and we send our sympathy to his family,” former president George W Bush said in a statement.

“Deepest condolences on the passing of my friend, Chuck Norris. We knew each other from my early days, and I always respected the man he was,” Van Damme said on Instagram.

“Chuck Norris is the champ. Ever since I was a young martial artist and later getting into movies, I always looked up to him as a role model,” Lundgren posted on social media.

“I had a great time working with Chuck. He was All American in every way,” his Expendables 2 co-star, Sylvester Stallone said.

“Chuck was an icon. I am grateful that I was able to work with him in multiple ways over the years, from promoting fitness to sharing the screen together. He was a badass, in real life and in Hollywood,” Arnold Schwarzenegger posted on X.

“I know the millions of fans across the world are feeling this loss too, but for me, it’s deeply personal. I had the honor of working alongside him, sharing moments I’ll never forget. He wasn’t just a legend on screen he was a kind, strong, and genuine soul off of it. I’m really going to miss you, my friend. Hey Chuck… maybe you can teach the good Lord a few karate moves — I know He’ll get a kick out of them,” Lee Majors said on Instagram.

“He was humble & kind. I’ll never forget a visit we made to a Veterans Home in New Hampshire. Chuck & Gena graciously visited with every veteran, listening & caring. Most of these veterans idolized Chuck Norris. He & Gena were patient, warm, & compassionate. When we got in the vehicle after the visit, I looked over at them & they were both weeping having been touched by these aging US veterans & their stories,” the U.S. ambassador to Israel,  the former Governor of Arkansas and U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee wrote on X.

“I’m so sorry to hear of our loss of Chuck, who I considered a friend for many years. We were in Taiwan in ’87 (I think) to accept Golden Horse Awards, and we bonded there. It didn’t hurt that I loved martial arts! He was always a real gentleman every time I ran into him. My condolences to his family & friends,” actor Morgan Fairchild wrote on X.