Chuck Norris, 83, is beyond grateful that his mom is turning 102. The star even wrote an article in her honor. And the way this lady smiles despite all the heartbreaking struggles she had to face tells us that life is a journey worth living despite its hardships.
102 years and still going strong.
Chuck shared an article on his Facebook page and expressed his affection and admiration for his mom Wilma who was born in 1921 and is ’’102 years young’’. The Hollywood star noted ’’What’s even more remarkable is that she is so full of life that she might make it another 100 years!’’
Norris then exclaimed ’’Mom, I don’t know what’s more difficult to believe: that you are 102 years old or that you have a son who is 83 years old!’’ Either way, he declared how ’’grateful’’ he feels to have her as his mother. He also noted ’’We’ve been through thick and thin in this life, and we are still going strong.’’
Chuck’s son, Mike, also posted a heartwarming video of his grandma as she gets presented with her birthday cake. He wrote ’’It is an honor to be your first grandchild.’’
She saved her son.
Despite her positive outlook on life and radiant smile, Wilma had a challenging life, raising her three children alone after Chuck’s dad abandoned them. Norris shared ’’Mom has been an example of perseverance.’’
He also noted that he was ’’nearly losing my soul to Hollywood’’, but his mother didn’t lose faith in him, and she prayed for his success and salvation. The star added ’’She even prayed for me to find a woman to change my life, and it worked.’’ In fact, Chuck has been married for 25 years to model Gena O’Kelley and the two are still going strong.
She’s a brave fighter.
Wilma had a complicated health journey, but she persisted and won her serious battles with cancer many times.
The martial artist explained that she has ’’has gone through roughly 30 different surgeries for a host of issues — and yet she’s still here to tell about it.’’
Family plays a central role in Chuck Norris’s life, and he welcomed his love child with open arms after 26 years of not knowing her.
Preview photo credit iammikenorris / Instagram, chucknorris / Instagram
This Former ‘Home Improvement’ Star Is Unrecognizable! Here’s Where He Vanished To
He was a familiar face in the 1990s, winning hearts on one of TV’s most popular sitcoms. But as quickly as he found fame, he vanished, leaving fans curious about what happened to the child star who seemed destined for greatness.
Today, many people wouldn’t recognize him, as time and his life choices have changed him in ways no one saw coming.
“Home Improvement” was a huge hit in the 1990s, bringing laughter to millions of homes in America. At the heart of its success was a young actor whose charm and good looks made him a fan favorite. Yet despite his early success, he made the surprising decision to leave Hollywood behind.
Source: Getty Images
The years have been both kind and mysterious to this former child star. People have whispered about his struggles with fame, rumors about his personal life, and his choice to focus on education instead of acting. Many still wonder about this star and why he chose such a different path.
In the early 1990s, before he became famous, this young actor was just a regular kid from Sacramento. He began modeling at age seven, appearing in ads for brands like Kellogg’s and Mattel, and soon moved on to TV commercials.
His natural charm and looks made him a favorite with casting directors, leading to his first TV role in “The Bradys” in 1990. His big break came in 1991 when he joined the cast of “Home Improvement,” where he played the middle child. His role on the show made him one of the most recognizable faces on TV.
By the 1990s, he was everywhere. Besides “Home Improvement,” he voiced Young Simba in Disney’s “The Lion King.” His clean-cut image and popularity made him a teen idol, receiving thousands of fan letters every month. He appeared on magazine covers and was followed closely by fans.
However, as his fame grew, so did the pressure. Despite his success, he felt trapped in the acting world. He longed for a normal life, wanting to play basketball with friends instead of always being in the spotlight.
The stress of acting began to wear him down, both mentally and physically. His long days on set left little time for a normal childhood, and he started getting frequent headaches from the pressure.
By the mid-1990s, even though he was uncomfortable with fame, he stayed committed to his fans. But the constant attention became overwhelming, especially from young female fans. He was grateful but found the attention hard to handle.
In 1998, during an interview with Jay Leno, he faced rumors about his sexuality. He calmly denied being gay but was frustrated by the focus on his personal life.
In 1999, he shocked fans by leaving “Home Improvement” before its final season. His co-stars, especially Tim Allen, were surprised by his decision. He said he wanted to focus on his education, though some suspected there was more to the story.
After leaving the show, the actor took on roles that challenged rumors about him, including playing a gay character in a film. Despite the rumors, these roles showed his dedication to acting and moving beyond his teen idol image.
His focus shifted to education. He attended prestigious schools like Harvard and Columbia, where he enjoyed life as a student. By 2011, he had largely disappeared from the public eye, only reappearing for a “Home Improvement” cast reunion.
Though he made occasional TV guest appearances, his priorities had changed. In 2013, he returned to Los Angeles, focusing on writing and directing, living a simpler life.
Fans were surprised when, in 2021, photos surfaced of him walking his dogs in Los Angeles. He had fully embraced a life away from fame, looking very different from his teen heartthrob days.
When fans saw the new pictures, many hardly recognized him. “He looks so different!” one fan remarked. By 2023, new photos showed him looking even more mature, sparking nostalgia among his fans.
Fans defended his choice to live a private life, with one saying, “He looks like a regular guy. Not everyone goes for plastic surgery or dresses up for a walk.” Others praised his focus on education, with one adding, “He chose education over Hollywood. Respect.”
Many fans, who grew up watching him, still admire his decisions. They expressed support, with one saying, “I used to have a crush on him. I respect that he left show business.”
Though he left the spotlight years ago, Jonathan Taylor Thomas remains a beloved figure for the choices he made after his acting career. Fans continue to admire him not only for his roles but for the way he chose to live his life afterward.
Leave a Reply