Chuck Norris, 85, Shares Gym Selfie Sparking a Revival of Classic Internet Jokes
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — At 85 years old, Chuck Norris remains a figure synonymous with strength and resilience, a reputation that was humorously reaffirmed this week when the martial arts icon shared a gym selfie on social media. The image, showing Norris still in impressive shape, quickly went viral, prompting a flood of classic “Chuck Norris jokes” from fans eager to celebrate his legendary persona.
Chuck Norris first became a household name through his roles in action-packed films like “Missing in Action” and the long-running television series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” where he portrayed the unyielding Cordell Walker. Since the early 2000s, the internet has embraced Norris as a cultural phenomenon, spawning a genre of jokes that playfully exaggerate his toughness and mythical abilities. These jokes, which gained traction on platforms such as Reddit, have become a staple of internet humor.
The recent selfie reignited this tradition, with fans posting quips such as “Chuck Norris doesn’t lift weights… he pushes the earth down” and “Chuck Norris once gave a horse an uppercut and now we have giraffes.” Others joked that “No one took the picture; the camera took it out of fear,” highlighting the playful exaggeration that has defined the Chuck Norris meme culture.
This resurgence comes more than two decades after the jokes first gained popularity, initially fueled by appearances on late-night television shows like Conan O’Brien’s and coverage by major outlets including NBC News. The jokes have evolved but remain rooted in the same tongue-in-cheek homage to Norris’s tough-guy image.
Experts in popular culture note that Norris’s enduring appeal underscores the power of internet folklore to keep public figures relevant across generations. “Chuck Norris jokes are a fascinating example of how digital culture can create and sustain a mythos around a celebrity,” said a media analyst at the National Endowment for the Arts. “They blend humor, admiration, and nostalgia in a way that resonates widely.”
Beyond the jokes, Norris’s continued physical fitness at 85 is remarkable. Health authorities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasize the importance of regular exercise for older adults, noting benefits in mobility, mental health, and longevity. Norris’s example serves as inspiration for many seniors aiming to maintain active lifestyles.
As the internet once again celebrates Chuck Norris, the actor’s legacy as both a martial artist and a cultural icon remains firmly intact. Whether through his on-screen heroics or the playful mythology that surrounds him, Norris continues to captivate audiences, proving that some legends only grow stronger with time.
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