Is Chuck Norris Jesus?

When Jesus realized his full Jesus-ness, he achieved miracles.

But then, you could say the same of Chuck Norris.

Norris grew up dirt poor.

His mom shouldered him in a blanket, picking cotton in fields when he was little. He got beat up for being weak at school.

But in 1968, Norris lost for the last time.

(You might say Norris discovered his full Chuck Norris-ness! at this time.)

Post-1968, Norris was crowned Karate World Champion 6 years straight. 

He made pals with Steve McQueen after teaching Steve's son martial arts. To solidify their friendship, they wore leotards in a fitness class together. (Check Chuck's biography Against All Odds for more on this important fact.)

Then Norris met Bruce Lee at a karate convention.

They shared an elevator, continued talking and spent a night in a hotel room exchanging karate moves. (See Against All Odds. Greatness.)

Equipped with Hollywood connections, 9 degrees of blackbelt and a chest full of hair, Norris penetrated the 80s film scene like the fiercest kick ever known to man. Thus, a star was born.

Watch Norris & Lee's epic struggle in Way of the Dragon– (Clearly a smash hit.)

Can't get enough Chuck?

Here's 10 (legitimate) Chuck Norris facts you might not know:

1. His real name is Carlos.

2. He founded his own fighting style, Chun Kuk Do.

3. He's donates thousands of dollars to the Republican party each year.

4. He had his own animated series. It was so terrible it only lasted like, um, eight episodes.

5. His father was an alcoholic.

6. He divorced and re-married model Gena O'Kelley, 23 years his junior.

7. A doctor once showed a man I know an X-ray example of "a heck of a lot of scar tissue." That was Chuck Norris' X-ray.

8. His younger brother Weiland was killed in Vietnam.

9. He served in the air force; he still strongly supports the U.S. Armed Forces.

10. He founded and has sunk $16 million into a project called World Combat League; it's like the UFC but team-oriented and less brutal.