# Is Chuck Norris really all that good a martial artist? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 9, 2004, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051 "2004-08-09T17:17:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051/21 "2004-08-09T22:09:57Z")
> [@Mockingbird](#): > > I’d say he’s still a better actor than Jean Claude VanDamme or Steven Segal. So’s my cat. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051/22 "2004-08-09T22:16:05Z")
Fighting, stage fighting, and actual acting are three very different skills. Lots of people can fight but can’t make it look good, or can make it look good but can’t actually win a fight, and even those who can do both may not be able to convincingly deliver a line of dialogue. One of the (many) things that’s impressive about Bruce Lee is that not only could he fight, but he always looked _damn good_ doing it. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051/23 "2004-08-09T22:33:42Z")
> [@Priceguy](#): > > Huh? How is _Walker, Texas Ranger_ a Christian program? He kicks ass for the Lord! ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051/24 "2004-08-09T23:23:29Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > He kicks ass for the Lord! And not just _any_ Lord, but the two-fisted, fightin’ Jesus! ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051/25 "2004-08-09T23:23:55Z")
> [@The Asbestos Mango](#): > > I still think that if Bruce Lee were still alive, he could mop the floor with Chuck Norris, though. In their prime, I’d say Norris would win…basically, he outweighed Lee by well over 30lbs back then and was still very very fast. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051/26 "2004-08-09T23:56:17Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > On a related note, has anyone seen Conan O’Brien’s “Walker, Texas Ranger” lever? It’s pretty damn funny. I’m not sure why, but I think that’s the funniest thing currently on television. I laugh my ass off every time. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051/27 "2004-08-10T00:09:15Z")
> [@Capt\_Drakes](#): > > I like Norris too, but Norris himself said that Bruce was a more complete fighter. Cite? I’ve heard Chuck Norris on the Howard Stern show several times and the subject of Bruce Lee always comes up. Chuck invariably claims that Bruce refused to fight him and Howard always gets him to modestly admit that he thinks he could have beaten Lee at any given time in their lives. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051/28 "2004-08-10T00:32:18Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Debatable? > > I guess that’s a word you could use, if the debate is over whether Norris is the worst actor of all time, or is just among the bottom 10. I’m sorry, but there is no debate to be had there, because Chuck Norris is not anywhere near as bad an actor as Steven Seagal. Norris does not ooze even one hundredth the suckitude of Seagal. Compared to Seagal, Chuck Norris looks like Russell Crowe. ---
**Author:** ![Murcielago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Murcielago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Murcielago)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051/29 "2004-08-10T00:49:12Z")
(Responding to **Cisco** ’s: “cite?”) There is an apocryphal quote often cited in the Lee vs. Norris debate. Supposedly, during a promotional appearence in Hong Kong for _The Way of the Dragon_ (AKA _Return of the Dragon_), Norris said “We are not good enough to be his students, and he is too good to be our teacher.” “We” being Norris and friend/fellow actor Bob Wall and “he” being Lee. If he ever really said that, IMO he did it for promotional purposes to that specific audience. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051/30 "2004-08-10T13:00:08Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Same number as Chuck - zero. All of Norris’ titles werre no-contact. > > Regards, > Shodan Say _what_!?! the Middleweight Karate Championship was no contact? Not the ones I saw. ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051/31 "2004-08-10T13:12:02Z")
My old Karate Sensei actually fought chuck in a Karate Championship. Forget what year or where though. Anyway, he has a picture of both himself and Chuck frozen in mid-kick and it’s autographed by Chuck himself. My sensei lost though 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051/32 "2004-08-10T13:16:29Z")
> [@Priceguy](#): > > Huh? How is _Walker, Texas Ranger_ a Christian program? From his own [Website](http://www.chucknorris.com/html/biog.html) > [@](#): > > …Motivational speaker for many Christian ministries… ---
**Author:** ![Gail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Gail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gail)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051/33 "2004-08-10T15:18:34Z")
_I’m sorry, but there is no debate to be had there, because Chuck Norris is not anywhere near as bad an actor as Steven Seagal. Norris does not ooze even one hundredth the suckitude of Seagal. Compared to Seagal, Chuck Norris looks like Russell Crowe._ * * * Posted by Rick Jay I second that. As a side note, I really enjoyed it when Chuck Norris played himself on “Yes Dear”…He kept calling Jimmy (perhaps the most neglectful father since Homer Simpson) for parenting advice…funny episode. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051/34 "2004-08-10T15:47:39Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > I heard an anecdote that I’ve always liked: > > when Chuck Norris was asked his opinion of the then-new 1970’s T.V. show “Kung-Fu” star David Carradine, he supposedly quipped > > “well, his karate’s about as good as my acting” > > I love that guy. > > 7 times US Karate champion, then makes movies. Yeah, I’d say he’s pretty good. In “Lone Wolf McQuade” Norris Fights David Carradine. ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051/35 "2004-08-10T15:58:53Z")
> [@Kilt-wearin' man](#): > > Have you even read the rest of the thread? The man’s got credentials that state that he’s one hell of a martial artist. So you don’t like Chuck Norris. Fine. Your statements here have no basis in his actual abilities. For a senior citizen, he’s still in great shape, and could probably make most current action movie stars run home with their tails between their legs if he wanted to. And the WHOOSH goes through the windmills of your mind. 😃 Though I bet Tommy Lee could compete on one level. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051/36 "2004-08-10T16:08:21Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > Say _what_!?! > the Middleweight Karate Championship was no contact? Not the ones I saw. There wasn’t exactly a “the” middleweight karate championship. There were dozens of tournaments, from dozens of different organizations. But full-contact didn’t get started until the PKA back in the 70s. Norris co-sponsored a league of full-contact karate fights, but did not compete in them. Norris was really good, but it was all point karate. Note that his book, “Winning Tournament Karate”, refers only to tournaments under the point system. Don’t confuse what there is now with what there was in 1968. I remember watching the first full contact “world championships”. Joe Lewis, Bill Wallace, Jeff Smith, and I can’t recall the other winner - nary a Norris among them. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051/37 "2004-08-10T16:28:59Z")
> [@The Asbestos Mango](#): > > So, I guess we’ve established the fact that Norris can fight, but can’t act. > > I still think that if Bruce Lee were still alive, he could mop the floor with Chuck Norris, though. I’d love to see the two old farts beatin the hell outta each other right now. How old would they both be? Did somebody really ask whether or not Norris was a good fighter at one time. How else did they think he made it into acting, on his talent? This question reminds me of Arnold for some reason. One of these days, when he is POTUS some kid’ll ask whether or not he was a good actor before he got into politics…or was he really a good bodybuilder before he started acting? 😉 just yankin your chain a little bit A/M Hey **Mockingbird** wha’sup… ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051/38 "2004-08-10T16:34:57Z")
Thanks! **Shodan** , for giving the front snap-kick to my ignorance. I didn’t realize that full-contact started that recently. ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051/39 "2004-08-10T19:44:17Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > On a related note, has anyone seen Conan O’Brien’s “Walker, Texas Ranger” lever? It’s pretty damn funny. No. Could you fill me in? ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051/40 "2004-08-10T19:57:13Z")
> [@Wolfian](#): > > No. Could you fill me in? Conan installed a large lever next to his desk, and when he pulls it, it activates (via the guys in the control booth) a short clip from “Walker: Texas Ranger.” I know that doesn’t sound too funny, but it actually is. First of all, the incredibly bad acting and the awful plot devices in “Walker” are funny all by themselves. Also, the fact that the clips are taken out of context makes them seem even stranger. Finally, Conan sometimes pulls the lever at random times, and the look on his face as he does this is priceless. Having just read my own description, though, it seems like it might be something that you can’t really appreciate without seeing it first-hand. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chuck-norris-really-all-that-good-a-martial-artist/259051.md?page=3)