4 Times Chuck Norris Publicly Proclaimed His Faith

Chuck Norris died on Friday, March 19, 2026 at the age of 86. The actor and martial artist known for his role in Walker, Texas Ranger, died shortly after being rushed to a hospital in Kauai, Hawaii, earlier that day because of a medical emergency. His family and fans are heartbroken over his sudden death. They are wondering what caused his death because he was physically fit. Just two weeks ago, he shared a video of his boxing workout while celebrating his birthday.

About Chuck Norris

Carlos Ray "Chuck" Norris was born on March 10, 1940. He was an American martial artist, actor, screenwriter, author, and philanthropist. He held black belts in karate, taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and judo. After serving in the United States Air Force, he won numerous martial arts championships and later founded his own discipline, Chun Kuk Do.

Norris was the subject of countless jokes about his unmatched toughness. He just laughed at the jokes and kept on being tough.

One of my favorite jokes about him is that he was so tough when he was born that he drove his mother home from the hospital.

Chuck Norris' Faith

Christian Post Reporter Ryan Foley wrote a detailed account of Norris' public proclamations of his faith.

The late actor and martial arts grandmaster often pointed to a different source of strength: his faith in God.

1. Chuck Norris spoke of his faith in a Commencement Address

In 2008, the actor spoke extensively about his faith during his Commencement Address at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He discussed how instrumental God had been in his life. He told the graduating class: "I am hot for the Lord."

Norris was transparent when he shared that although he was baptized at age 12, he wound up drifting from his faith after having a successful career. He acknowledged that he had “been in films and had fame and fortune, but he was very unhappy, and he couldn’t figure out why.

Norris said his marriage to his wife, Gena, was the turning point in his life that helped him return to his faith: “It’s like the Holy Spirit hit me and said, ‘Chuck, it’s time to come home.’”

Norris read aloud Proverbs 19:21 to the graduates before urging them to:

“Let God direct your steps if you do, you can’t go wrong — I promise you.”

He continued by saying the Lord has directed his steps now through the last 10 years that began when he found his wife reading the Bible.

Norris received a Doctor of Humanities degree from the school that day before delivering the commencement address.

2. Norris advocated for Bible studies in schools

In a 2013 op-ed for NewsBusters, Norris advocated for including Bible studies in public schools, insisting that the idea was not inconsistent with the principles of the Founding Fathers, specifically Thomas Jefferson.

3. Norris used the expression 'religious neutering'

In a series of op-eds published by Townhall in 2014, Norris publicly denounced what he referred to as “religious neutering." He used the term in response to a Maryland school district canceling all religious holidays from its school calendar.

In a subsequent op-ed less than a week later, Norris addressed the religious significance of Thanksgiving and urged President Obama to mention God.

“If Obama is looking for a Thanksgiving address this Thursday to model, then I recommend he look no further than P

residents George Washington or Abraham Lincoln. I dare him to cite them even in part.”

Norris said it was a time in the U.S. when people and even presidents shouldn't be afraid to stand for traditional values and encourage others to do the same.

4. Norris said his mother prayed for him

In May 2021, Norris wrote an op-ed for WND.com in honor of the 100th birthday of his mother, Wilma Norris Knight, who lived to be 103. He gave an account of how his mother prayed for him all his life.

“My mother has prayed for me all my life, through thick and thin. When I was born, I almost died from complications. When nearly losing my soul to Hollywood a few decades ago, she was back home praying for my success and salvation. She even prayed for me to find a woman to change my life, and it worked.”

Not only did Norris share about his mother’s positive influence on his spiritual life, but he also expressed gratitude for his wife, Gena.

He said he was overwhelmed with gratitude to God for the influence of those two incredible women in his life.

Chuck Norris Talked About His Faith

The life of Chuck Norris proves that actors can play the part of being rough and tough on screen and still have faith in God in real life.

Norris was an outspoken Christian and a member of Prestonwood Baptist Church, part of the Southern Baptist Convention, in Dallas, Texas. He authored several Christian-themed books. He described his faith journey as a conscious turning point that reshaped his personal priorities, including his views on family, responsibility, and moral discipline.

Over decades, Chuck Norris quietly built a legacy far beyond Hollywood, transforming the futures of thousands of at-risk children. He supported a long list of charities, many of which involved children, youth, and veterans.

Click here to read the full account of Chuck Norris' publicly proclamations of his faith in God.