Star Walker of the Month August 2007 - James Brown

I remember sitting in a darkened movie theater way back in the day, and experiencing the best of the best, of the best of cinematic martial arts fights. I remember having a certain opinion on how Norris looked in comparison to Bruce’s skill and grace on screen. But oh, oh how time and the lessons of life brings revised wisdom and new perspective because those things pre-ordained by God to stand and serve HIS will, always outlives and will overthrow any wicked plan set into motion by man. In other words, the fact that Bruce is no longer with us and Chuck Norris is by no mere accident or random act of fate. It was a duel of hand and foot between Li Sui Loong (Bruce Lee) and Carlos Ray Norris (Chuck Norris) in the film Way of the Dragon (released in the U. S. as Return of the Dragon). The film was written and directed by Lee in 1972. This was the film in which Chuck Norris makes his big film debut. In fact, some six years later, his performance with Lee helped open the doors to his own first hit film called Good Guys Wear Black (released in 1978, with his earlier films called The Wrecking Crew and Breaker Breaker not withstanding).

Many do not realize that the martial arts tournament circuit is a very challenging one with elimination bouts reminiscent of the Roman gladiator contests of old. Sometimes one would have to fight as many as a dozen or more tough opponents over a mere two days (during preliminaries and finals). During his time as a world martial arts champion Chuck Norris fought some tough competitors from all over the world.

For those outside of the martial arts circles, It should be noted that Chuck Norris came up through the martial ranks during the reign of some of the greatest martial artists of his time, people like Joe Lewis, Gene LeBell, Jeff Smith, Richard Kim, Jim Kelly, Mike Stone, Bill Wallace, Bob Wall, Ed Parker, Eric Lee (little King of Kata), Benny ‘the Jet’ Urquidez, Howard Jackson, Gogen "The Cat" Yamaguichi, Don ‘the Dragon’ Wilson and too many others to mention here. My point in mentioning some of the greats of the martial arts is that Chuck Norris comes from a yet to be duplicated fold. The fiber of the above mentioned champions and masters of the martial arts supersedes those who fight in the arenas of the UFC and similar commercial venues.

This historic fight between Lee and Norris was staged within the world famous Roman Coliseum with portions of it also being shot on a sound stage in Hong Kong. This was the first Hong Kong movie production to be filmed in Rome. The now classic movie fight was choreographed by Lee as set down in his notes of some twenty pages of detailed instructions. Lee and Norris had been friends for years, appearing together at many karate tournaments and championships during the mid and late 60’s. Their training and sparring together set the stage for what would become a classic fight scene (to date no other two American martial artists have topped this cinematic fight).

In between the broken rhythm used by Lee to defeat his opponent, a master karateka by the name of Colt (the character portrayed by Norris), there are various subtle nuances of hand to hand combat skills that can be found laced within the psychological matrix of this fight. The theme of the fight as conceived and designed by Lee, is about adapting, changing the course of the conflict by using ones own strengths to win. This is why Tang Lung (the character portrayed by Bruce) is losing to Colt in the first few minutes of the fight. It isn’t until Tang Lung changes his fighting strategy and begins to use ‘broken rhythm’ (a concept and skill Lee borrowed from fencing), to circumvent and intercept Colt’s footwork and attack, that he begins to change the outcome of the fight (the art of interception is the corner stone concept/element of Lee’s method called Jeet Kune Do).

Norris dies an honorable warrior in this film in the sense that Tang Lung takes the time to place Norris’s white gi top and black belt over Colt’s fallen, broken and battered body. Through this intense confrontation the two warriors quickly develop an actual like, and respect for one another. Chuck Norris would later apply some of the attributes he demonstrated in this film to his own personal life in the form of undaunted determination and persistent drive to success. He would use the strategy of adapting to succeed in the ever changing entertainment industry, and he would succeed at it.

As a martial artist I can tell you that the enlightened athlete can always find more than skill as the end result of hard and consistent dedicated training. And that is why you can not truly understand, or see the whole picture of who Chuck Norris is without first understanding his level of skill as a true martial arts champion. The simple dissection of the fight that he and Lee engaged in as described above, is a prime example of this. Although it is a choreographed fight within the arena of fiction (a movie), the skills used are very real and undeniable. The fact that this cinematic fight still stands above most without even the use of cable work, or special effects, or the use of trick editing, is in itself a tribute to just how high a skill level is being displayed by the two men.

“I gave my life to the Lord at 12. I was baptized
at 12. Then it grew stronger. Unfortunately a
lot of times in the entertainment industry,
sometimes you lose sight of what’s really
important in your life.” – Chuck Norris

Chuck Norris grew up in a very poor section of rural Oklahoma with an alcoholic father who soon would abandon the entire family. It was the love and guidance of a God-fearing mother who would raise Chuck with love. Her unshakeable inner strength would be his light house through the storms of his early child hood and teen years. It was his mother who would raise him and his two brothers.

In his book called: Against All Odds, Chucks says he was a very shy and insecure boy growing up. The determination and confidence seen by millions of movie goers during the 70’s and 80’s would not be developed until shortly after he joined the U. S. Air force and was stationed in Korea. It was there that he began his martial arts training in the Korean art known as Tang Soo Do, the martial art he would eventually earn a black belt in. The sheer physical abilities displayed by the martial arts inspired him. He would go on to become a six-time World Middle-weight Karate Champion.

Many years later Norris created the martial art called Chun Kuk Do, which is a method of fighting which is based primarily on Tang Soo Do. Chun Kuk Do includes elements from Chuck’s overall martial arts fighting repertoire. Like a number of other martial arts Chun Kuk Do is founded upon a code of honor to live by.

…and God has chosen the weak things
of the world to put to shame the
things which are mighty…
- 1 Corinthians 1: 27

Looking from whence Chuck Norris came from you would never expect how strength, courage and determination would come to him, especially after such humble beginnings. However, his humble beginnings and rise to success continues to stand as great inspiration to many, many people around the world. But like everyone else, Chuck says that he has made a lot of mistakes and had numerous failures in his life. His book gave him the opportunity to be transparent to the world, holding no information back from the public and hiding nothing. He wanted people to know that it was his faith in God that has brought him through all of those trials, mistakes and failures. That it had been God who had always been there behind the scenes using a divine broken rhythm to intervene and guide him over the obstacles of life.

The film Lone Wolf McQuade, (released in 1983 and starring chuck Norris), would serve as the basis in which the hit CBS series Walker Texas Ranger would emerge from. This show ran for some eight consecutive years and now enjoys a healthy afterlife in the form of syndicated re-runs across the U.S. and even in other countries. This hit TV show of course also starred Norris and was produced by his Top Kick Production company along with his brother Aaron Norris.

No one can ever say that Norris took himself too seriously since he courageously performs the singing chores on the shows opening title theme. He even wrote the lyrics.

The character Cordell Walker became the star of the show among an ensemble cast (Clarence Gilyard Jr., Jimmy Wlcek, Noble Willingham, Sheree Wilson, Nia Peoples, and Floyd ‘Red Crow’ Westerman). Taking center stage like a true Star Walker, the character Cordell Walker re-claimed the greatness behind the legendary Texas Rangers of old. This show seemed tailored made for Chuck as it also allowed him to utilize his beloved martial arts to enhance the action scenes in most of the episodes.

It’s All About Family

These days Chuck enjoys a successful Christian faith based marriage with his wife Gena Norris. They live a fully committed Christian life and are not ashamed to share their inspiring testimony with anyone. They live with their two daughters Dakota and Danilee.

Gena committed her life to Jesus Christ at the age of 26. But has said that like her husband she also fell away and drifted from her faith. However the Norris family give God all the credit for bringing them into a closer relationship with HIM. They do not hesitate in giving the Lord all due credit for the success of their marriage as well as their professional success.

Living the Life of a Star Walker

Under the high excitement, adventure, solid entertainment and inspirational elements of star Walker runs a very serious but subtle message that addresses the human condition. The stories of Star walker deals with our very mortality. Much of Star walker is about allowing divine empowerment to guide and strengthen our lives, in spite of our short comings or stumbling as humans.

Chuck you embrace so much of what Star Walker is about and what it represents. We acknowledge your great and inspiring story of overcoming adversity. And even more importantly we recognize your strong faith in God. In fact, we acknowledge both you and your wife Gena for standing strong in your faith as an example to other married couples and families. May God continue to bless your family for all time. We encourage you to stay strong as husband and wife guided by the all mighty creator.

Within the ranks of the elite warriors known as Ken Ju Kai (from the world of Star Walker), we extend to you the honorary 7th Rank Ken Ju Kai. We are inspired by your boldness in declaring your faith to the world. For as it is written in 1st Corinthians 1:18: For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. God Bless you Chuck and Gena Norris.

Commenteors – What other people have to say about this Star Walker of the Month, these commentaries are like comets and meteors, brief but prolific and enlightening – sure to leave a trail of insightfulness across your heart - what we call Commenteors.

To Star Walk – Click here and find the star of Chuck Norris as he is forever remembered in the galaxy of the stars within the Star Walker Universe. View and watch the skies slowly fill in the coming months and years as the light of Star Walker, after Star Walker, after Star Walker fills the heavens. We do this as an interactive tribute to those who have through fate, destiny, and even under divine purpose, left the rest of us behind, as well as to those who are still with us.