Chuck Norris, the former world karate champion who used his fight prowess to become the star of a string of low-budget but financially successful action movies, has died aged 86.

His family posted a message on social media saying Norris had died on Thursday, adding: “While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.”

Norris won a series of karate championships in the late 1960s, and his friendship with fellow martial-artist Bruce Lee led to his eye-catching appearance in Lee’s 1972 hit The Way of the Dragon. Norris then went on to make a number of action films over the next two decades, including Invasion USA and The Delta Force, as well as the long-running TV series Walker, Texas Ranger. Norris also acquired a level of political profile for his outspoken support for rightwing political causes.

More to come.