Tributes have been pouring in from around the world to US martial artist and Hollywood action star Chuck Norris, who died aged 86.

"He may have a warrior exterior, but his heart was so full of love," his daughter Danilee Norris said.

Swedish actor and martial artist Dolph Lundgren - who starred alongside Norris - said he "always looked up to him as a role model", while US actor Sylvester Stallone said Norris "was All American in every way".

Norris was known for his roles in the 1990s action crime series Walker, Texas Ranger and the 1972 martial arts film The Way of the Dragon - fighting superstar Bruce Lee.

His family announced his death in a statement posted on Instagram.

"It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday (Thursday) morning," the family said.

"He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved. Through his work, discipline and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives.

The statement added: "To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength.

"To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family."

In his tribute to Norris, Stallone also described him as a "great man", adding that he "had a great time working with Chuck".

Later on Friday, US President Donald Trump said he had "the highest respect" for Norris.

"He was a great guy, he was a really tough cookie."

Fellow US actor Lorenzo Lamas, who trained at Norris' martial arts studio, said he was praying for Norris' family.

"Watch out evil world, there is an angel of consequence at the gates. Chuck Norris doesn't just get wings, he gets even," Lamas wrote in a post on X.

Born Carlos Ray Norris in Oklahoma in 1940, he joined the US Air Force as a teenager.

While stationed in South Korea, Norris began training in martial arts.

He earned black belts in karate, taekwondo, tang soo do, Brazilian jiu jitsu and judo, and also founded his own discipline called chun kuk do.

He won karate championships in the 1960s, and seamlessly integrated his authentic combat skills into his screen work.

His big break on the big screen came after meeting martial arts film star Lee, who invited the reigning karate champion to play the final villain Colt in the 1972 film.

In a Q&A with Combat Culture, Norris once recalled: "At that time I held the world title and kiddingly I said to Bruce, 'Well, who wins Bruce?'

"And he says, 'I win, I'm the star of this movie'. I say, 'Oh, I see, you want to beat the world champion?' And he said, 'No I don't, I want to kill the world champion'."

Actor Steve McQueen, Norris's friend, suggested he take acting more seriously, and he went on to appear in 1977 action film Breaker! Breaker! followed by Good Guys Wear Black in 1978.

He would become a household name after starring in martial arts films A Force of One, The Octagon and An Eye For An Eye, opposite Sir Christopher Lee.

Norris appeared in other 1980s films including Missing In Action, Delta Force and Code of Silence, before playing the titular lead role in TV show Walker, Texas Ranger.

He portrayed Cordell "Cord" Walker, the level-headed ranger with a strong sense of justice, in the popular CBS series from 1993-2001.

Meme star

Norris also made a surprise cameo as the decisive judge in the final match of Ben Stiller's 2004 comedy Dodgeball.

His last big-screen credits came in the 2012 movie The Expendables 2 and the forthcoming Australian action comedy film Zombie Plane.

Away from the screen, Norris promoted fitness, founded martial arts schools and was an outspoken supporter of US conservative politics.

And in more recent years, he became the subject of a string of internet memes, including "Chuck Norris facts", which jokingly exaggerated his strength and toughness.

Examples included:

Chuck Norris can pass a vision test with his eyes closed
When the Hulk gets really angry, he turns into Chuck Norris
The flu has to get a Chuck Norris shot once a year
Chuck Norris doesn't turn on the shower, he stares at it until it starts to cry
Once a cobra bit Chuck Norris's leg. After five days of excruciating pain, the cobra died

His granddaughter Greta Norris paid tribute to him on Instagram.

"You all knew Chuck Norris as the man that counted to infinity twice, the man who got bit by a cobra and the cobra died," she says.

"The world truly lost an icon and I lost my grandpa."

'Toughness, grit and patriotism'

Texas governor Greg Abbott also paid tribute on Friday, saying: "Texas has lost a legend.

"He was not only a martial arts champion, action icon, and the one and only Walker, Texas Ranger. But he electrified generations of conservatives.

"He embodied the toughness, grit, and patriotism that makes Texas supreme."

Norris had been admitted to hospital in Hawaii for a medical emergency, TMZ reported on Thursday.

He is survived by his five children and wife, Gena O'Kelley. (BBC)

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