India, March 20 -- Chuck Norris, the legendary martial artist and action star best known for leading the hit series Walker, Texas Ranger passed away at the age of 86.

He was hospitalized in Hawaii on a Thursday, and the following morning his family confirmed his death. "While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace," his family said in Instagram post.

At the time of his death, Norris had been married to Gena O'Kelley for over 26 years. The two first crossed paths in Dallas in 1997 while Norris was out on a dinner date with someone else entirely.

The couple married on November 28, 1998, and built a life together that went well beyond the spotlight.

And in 2001, ...