New Delhi, March 21 "I am grateful for the inspiration that shaped a part of me," said Bollywood star Akshay Kumar as he paid tribute to the late American martial artist and actor Chuck Norris.
Norris, known for his role as Cordell Walker in the "Walker, Texas Ranger" series, died on Thursday at the age of 86.
Kumar, who began his career as a martial arts instructor before entering films, shared a post on his X handle on Friday, featuring a picture of the late actor, and said watching him on screen was not just entertainment but also an education.
"Growing up as a martial artist, watching Chuck Norris in films like 'Way of the Dragon' and 'Missing in Action' was not just entertainment…it was an education. The discipline, strength, and effortless command he brought to the screen stayed with me. I am grateful for the inspiration that shaped a part of me," he wrote.
Norris made his film debut as an uncredited bodyguard in the 1968 movie "The Wrecking Crew," which included a fight with Dean Martin. He went on to star in more than 20 movies, including "Missing in Action," "The Delta Force," and "Sidekicks."
In 1993, he took on his most famous role as a crime-fighting lawman in the TV series "Walker, Texas Ranger." The show ran for nine seasons, and in 2010, then-Governor Rick Perry awarded him the title of Honorary Texas Ranger. The Texas Senate later named him an Honorary Texan.