New Delhi, March 20 -- Chuck Norris, the martial arts champion who became an iconic action star and led the hit series Walker, Texas Ranger, has died. He was 86.

Norris was hospitalised in Hawaii on Thursday, and his family posted a statement on Friday saying he had died that morning. "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.

Chuck Norris started out as a martial arts champion before Hollywood came calling. He built his name in action films throughout the 1970s and 80s, playing tough, no-nonsense characters who always got the job done.

His big break came when he starred alongside Bruce Lee in Way of the Dragon in 1972. From there, he neve...