Aaron Norris

Last updated

Aaron Norris
Born
Aaron Dee Norris

(1951-11-23) November 23, 1951 (age 72)
Gardena, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Film producer, screenwriter, film director
Years active1974–present
Spouse
Rebecca Norris
​
(m. 1981)​
Children3
Relatives

Aaron Dee Norris (born November 23, 1951) is an American stunt performer, director, occasional actor, and film and television producer. He is the younger brother of action film star Chuck Norris.

Contents

Career

1974 to 1988: Stunt work to directing

While his older brother Chuck Norris was on his rise to stardom, Aaron Norris began his career as an uncredited stunt man in movies such as Black Belt Jones (1974), Speedtrap (1977), and Breaker! Breaker! (1977) (his brother Chuck's starring debut). The following year he was hired again as martial arts choreographer (credited) and a stunt double (uncredited) for his brother's second film Good Guys Wear Black - where he acted, credited, as "Al" one of the "Black Tigers" in an early scene- (1978) directed by Ted Post. He is noted to have performed the flying sidekick through the windshield of a speeding car, the stunt that sold the movie. [1] [2] He also played a small role in this movie. [3] Later on that same year, director Ted Post re-collaborated with Norris who is a credited stuntman for Post's film Go Tell the Spartans , and was a stunt coordinator for the John Carpenter film Elvis starring Kurt Russell. [4] [5]

In 1979, Norris played Anderson in A Force of One starring his brother Chuck, with whom he shared the fight choreography credit. Norris is also credited as the stunt coordinator and listed amongst the stuntmen. [6] The director noted that Aaron wanted to learn everything, and was a real asset to the picture. Because of this the director had him to focus on the martial art, and the specific of the fighting. [7] The same year he was also a stuntman for the Italian film The Visitor . [8]

In 1980, Norris did the Karate fight choreography and played the role of Hatband for his brother's film The Octagon. [9]

In 1981, with his brother playing the lead, Norris was stunt player in Steve Carver's An Eye for an Eye . [10]

In 1982, Norris was an associate producer and a stunt person in his brother's film Silent Rage. [11]

In 1983, Norris was again an associate producer on a film starring Chuck, Steve Carver's Lone Wolf McQuade , where he also did stunt coordination and played a small role. [12]

During that decade, he worked as the stunt coordinator for I, the Jury with Armand Assante, White Water Rebels with James Brolin, Chained Heat with Linda Blair, the dance film Breakin' , Lies with Ann Dusenberry, and The Naked Cage with Shari Shattuck. [13] [14] [15] [16]

In 1988 he directed Braddock: Missing in Action III . [17] That same year he also directed the war drama Platoon Leader , starring Michael Dudikoff. [18]

1990 to 2002: Subsequent projects

Norris continued directing with his brother as the lead in Delta Force 2 (1990), [19] The Hitman, [20] Sidekicks (1993)., [21] Hellbound (1994), Top Dog (1995), [22] and Forest Warrior (1996). [23]

In 1995, he produced the film Ripper Man. [24]

In 1996, he played the leading man in the film Overkill. [25] That year he started to work on his brother's long lasting TV show Walker, Texas Ranger (1993-2001), during his tenure he served as an executive producer for 168 television episodes. He wrote and directed four episodes. [26]

In 1998, Norris was an executive producer, and participated to writing the story of for the CBS television film Logan's War: Bound by Honor. Sharing the lead with Chuck is actor Eddie Cibrian. [27] [28] The television-film was ranked third among the thirteen most viewed shows of that week. [29]

In 1999, he created and was an executive producer on the Walker, Texas Ranger spin-off Sons of Thunder . [30]

In the early 2000, Norris was an executive producer for the CBS television films The President's Man (2000), [31] and The President's Man: A Line in the Sand (2002). [32] [33]

2005 to present day: Current work

In 2005, Norris was an executive producer and acted in the film The Cutter . [34] That same year he returned to directing with the CBS Movie of the Week, Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire . [35] A continuation of the series Walker, Texas Ranger , with Chuck Norris reprising his role.

In 2007, he produced the documentary Inside Aphasia. [36]

In 2009, Norris produced Bill Duke's Not Easily Broken starring Morris Chestnut and Taraji P. Henson. [37] That same year he also produced the film Everyday Life with Brad Hawkins. [38] That year, he worked on stunts on the Luc Besson film I Love You Phillip Morris . [39] Also in 2009, he was named the "president of development and production" of ALN, formerly The American Life Network. [40] [41]

In 2010, he provided stunts for the film Skateland . [42]

In 2015, he provided utility stunts for the Marvel Comics film Ant-Man starring Paul Rudd. [43]

Personal life

Norris is the younger brother of Chuck Norris (b. March 10, 1940), and Wieland Clyde Norris (1943–1970). During the Vietnam War, both Aaron and his older brother Wieland enlisted in the United States Army. [44] Wieland was killed in action in Vietnam in 1970.

Norris has been married to Rebecca since 1981. They have three children, a son and twin daughters. Both twins appeared with their mother in Norris's and his brother Chuck's 1991 film The Hitman .

Norris’ nephews, through Chuck, are Mike and Eric Norris.

On December 2, 2010, Norris, along with brother Chuck, was given the title honorary Texas Ranger by Texas Governor Rick Perry. [45]

Martial Arts

He currently holds a tenth degree black belt in the Chuck Norris System Chun Kuk Do, a martial art created by his brother Chuck Norris.

Director

YearTitleNotes
1988 Braddock: Missing in Action III
1988 Platoon Leader
1990 Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection
1991 The Hitman
1992 Sidekicks
1993Good Cop/Bad Cop
1993 Hellbound
1995 Top Dog
1996 Forest Warrior
1996-2001 Walker, Texas Ranger Television (TV Series - 4 episodes)
2005 Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire Television film

Producer

YearTitleNotes
1982 Silent Rage associate producer
1983 Lone Wolf McQuade associate producer
1995Ripper ManProducer
1996-2001 Walker, Texas Ranger (TV Series – 123 episodes)executive producer
1998 Logan's War: Bound by Honor executive producer
1999 Sons of Thunder (TV Series – 6 episodes)executive producer
2000 The President's Man executive producer
2002 The President's Man: A Line in the Sand executive producer
2005 Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire executive producer
2005 The Cutter executive producer
2007Inside AphasiaProducer
2009 Not Easily Broken Producer
2009Everyday LifeProducer
2020Army of OneProducer

Stunts

YearTitleNotes
1974 Black Belt Jones stunts - uncredited
1977 Breaker! Breaker! stunt double: Chuck Norris - uncredited
1977Speedtrapstunts - uncredited
1978 Good Guys Wear Black martial arts choreographer / stunt double: Chuck Norris - uncredited
1978 Go Tell the Spartans stunts
1978 Elvis stunt coordinator
1979 The Visitor stuntman
1979 A Force of One fight choreographer / stunt coordinator / stunt double: Chuck Norris - uncredited / stunts
1980 The Octagon fight choreographer / stunt coordinator
1981 An Eye for an Eye stunt coordinator / stunts
1982 Silent Rage stunt coordinator / stunts
1982 I, the Jury assistant stunt coordinator
1982 Forced Vengeance stunt coordinator
1983White Water Rebelsstunts
1983 Lone Wolf McQuade stunt coordinator
1983 Chained Heat stunt player
1984 Breakin' stunts
1984 Missing in Action stunt coordinator
1985 Missing in Action 2: The Beginning stunt coordinator / stunts - uncredited
1985 Code of Silence stunt coordinator
1985Liesstunts
1985 Invasion U.S.A. stunt coordinator
1986 The Naked Cage stunt player
1986 Firewalker stunt coordinator
2009 I Love You Phillip Morris stunts
2010 Skateland stunts
2015 Ant-Man utility stunts

Actor

YearTitleRoleNote
1978 Good Guys Wear Black Al – The Black TigersDebut film
1979 A Force of One Anderson
1980 The Octagon Hatband
1981Raider StoneUnknown
1983Deadly ForceGuard No. 3
Lone Wolf McQuade Punk
1996OverkillJack HazardFirst lead role
2005 The Cutter Tony Maylam

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stuart Whitman</span> American actor (1928–2020)

Stuart Maxwell Whitman was an American actor, known for his lengthy career in film and television. Whitman was born in San Francisco and raised in New York until the age of 12, when his family relocated to Los Angeles. In 1948, Whitman was discharged from the Corps of Engineers in the U.S. Army and started to study acting and appear in plays. From 1951 to 1957, Whitman had a streak working in mostly bit parts in films, including When Worlds Collide (1951), The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), Barbed Wire (1952) and The Man from the Alamo (1952). On television, Whitman guest-starred in series such as Dr. Christian, The Roy Rogers Show, and Death Valley Days, and also had a recurring role on Highway Patrol. Whitman's first lead role was in John H. Auer's Johnny Trouble (1957).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chuck Norris</span> American martial artist and actor (born 1940)

Carlos Ray "Chuck" Norris is an American martial artist and actor. He is a black belt in Tang Soo Do, Brazilian jiu jitsu and judo. After serving in the United States Air Force, Norris won many martial arts championships and later founded his own discipline, Chun Kuk Do. Shortly after, in Hollywood, Norris trained celebrities in martial arts. Norris went on to appear in a minor role in the spy film The Wrecking Crew (1969). Friend and fellow martial artist Bruce Lee invited him to play one of the main villains in The Way of the Dragon (1972). While Norris continued acting, friend and student Steve McQueen suggested he take it seriously. Norris took the starring role in the action film Breaker! Breaker! (1977), which turned a profit. His second lead, Good Guys Wear Black (1978), became a hit, and he soon became a popular action film star.

<i>Walker, Texas Ranger</i> American action crime television series

Walker, Texas Ranger is an American action crime television series created by Leslie Greif and Paul Haggis. It was inspired by the film Lone Wolf McQuade, with both this series and that film starring Chuck Norris as a member of the Texas Ranger Division. The show aired on CBS in the spring of 1993, with the first season consisting of three pilot episodes. Eight full seasons followed with new episodes airing from September 25, 1993, to May 19, 2001, and reruns continuing on CBS until July 28, 2001. It has been broadcast in over 100 countries and spawned a 2005 television film entitled Trial by Fire. The film ended on a cliffhanger, which was never resolved. DVD sets of all seasons have been released. At various times since 1997, reruns of the show have aired, in syndication, on the USA Network and Action in Canada. Reruns are currently seen on CBS Action, WGN America, CMT, INSP, getTV, Pluto TV, Heroes & Icons, Grit, 10 Bold and Peacock TV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Banks</span> American actor (born 1947)

Jonathan Ray Banks is an American actor. Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Chillum Heights, Maryland, Banks did theater while attending Indiana University Bloomington. In 1974, he moved to Los Angeles where he began playing supporting roles in films and television. His breakthrough came with the role of FBI Special Agent Frank McPike in the television series Wiseguy (1987–1990). For his role, he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve James (actor)</span> American actor

Steve James was an American actor, stunt performer and martial artist. He starred mostly in action films such as the American Ninja series, The Delta Force (1986), The Exterminator (1980), and Avenging Force (1986). James also portrayed Kung Fu Joe in the 1988 comedy/spoof film I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, and its 1990 television pilot spinoff Hammer, Slammer, & Slade.

Sons of Thunder is an American action crime drama television series created by Aaron and Chuck Norris that aired from March 6 to April 17, 1999 on CBS. It was a spin-off of Walker, Texas Ranger.

<i>Lone Wolf McQuade</i> 1983 film

Lone Wolf McQuade is a 1983 American Western film directed by Steve Carver and starring Chuck Norris, David Carradine, Barbara Carrera, L.Q. Jones, R.G. Armstrong, Leon Isaac Kennedy and Robert Beltran.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Norris</span> American race car driver and stuntman

Eric Scott Norris is an American former stock car racing driver and stuntman. He won the 2002 NASCAR Winston West Series Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Dudikoff</span> American actor

Michael Joseph Stephen Dudikoff Jr. is an American actor and martial artist. Born in New York City, his family later moved to Los Angeles. Dudikoff did different jobs to pay for his education, during this time he became a model. This led him to do acting auditions. He played supporting roles in films and television shows, until he got his break as the lead in the martial arts action film American Ninja (1985).

<i>Breaker! Breaker!</i> 1977 film by Don Hulette

Breaker! Breaker! is a 1977 American action film directed by Don Hulette and starring Chuck Norris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Norton (actor)</span> Australian martial artist, actor, stuntman (b. 1950)

Richard Norton is an Australian martial artist, actor, stunt performer, stunt coordinator, security consultant, and fight choreographer. He holds a 5th dan black belt in Gōjū-ryū karate, a 6th dan black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, an 8th dan black belt in Chun Kuk Do, and a level 6 ranking in American kickboxing. After high school, Norton worked as a bodyguard in the entertainment business before pursuing an acting career.

<i>A Force of One</i> 1979 film by Paul Aaron

A Force of One is a 1979 American martial arts action-thriller film directed by Paul Aaron and starring Chuck Norris, with Jennifer O'Neill, Ron O'Neal, Clu Gulager, and martial artist Bill Wallace in his film debut. Norris plays karate champion Matt Logan, who is hired to assist an anti-narcotics police unit, who are being targeted by a killer. The screenplay by Ernest Tidyman was based on a story co-written by martial artist Pat E. Johnson.

<i>Good Guys Wear Black</i> 1978 film by Ted Post

Good Guys Wear Black is a 1978 American martial arts action film starring Chuck Norris and directed by Ted Post. This was the second film to feature Norris as the star, following Breaker! Breaker! (1977). However, this is the one that Norris considers his "breakthrough".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isaac Florentine</span> Israeli film director

Isaac Florentine is an Israeli film director. He is best known for his martial arts and action genre films, namely Undisputed II: Last Man Standing (2006), Undisputed III: Redemption (2010), Ninja (2009), Ninja: Shadow of a Tear (2013) and Close Range (2015) and for launching the career of British actor Scott Adkins. Florentine completed his degree in Film & Television from Tel Aviv University.

Jordan Andrew "J. J." Perry is an American action director, martial artist, actor, and stuntman.

ActionFest was an annual film festival in Asheville, NC, started by Carolina Cinemas and Magnolia Pictures founder Bill Banowsky and action director/producer Aaron Norris, along with Dennis Berman and Tom Quinn. ActionFest was the first film festival in the world devoted exclusively to action film. It was also the only film festival in the world that honoring stunt performers, filling a void caused by the decision of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences not to recognize stunt men and stunt women in its Academy Awards. ActionFest's stated mission was to "recognize, honor and appreciate the remarkable efforts of these amazing people who risk their lives every day to make Hollywood films look exciting and great."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chuck Norris filmography</span>

Chuck Norris is an American actor and martial artist. He has appeared in a number of action films, such as Way of the Dragon, in which he starred alongside Bruce Lee, and was The Cannon Group's leading star in the 1980s. He played the starring role in the television series Walker, Texas Ranger, from 1993 to 2001.

<i>Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire</i> 2005 television film directed by Aaron Norris

Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire is a 2005 American television action film directed by Aaron Norris and based on the popular 1993–2001 television series Walker, Texas Ranger starring Chuck Norris, Sheree J. Wilson, Judson Mills, Andre Kristoff, Janine Turner and Steven Williams.

<i>Logans War: Bound by Honor</i> American TV series or program

Logan's War: Bound by Honor is a 1998 American made-for-television action film directed by Michael Preece. It was written by Walter Klenhard, based on a story he wrote with Chuck Norris and his brother Aaron. Chuck Norris also starred in the film, with Eddie Cibrian and Joe Spano.

Lin Oeding is an American film director and stunt coordinator.

References

  1. ↑ tamsbaxter (April 7, 2011), Aaron Norris, archived from the original on December 14, 2021, retrieved March 16, 2018
  2. ↑ "Chuck Norris Movies: Lone Wolf McQuade and 23 Other Action Films Remembered by the Martial Arts Icon » Black Belt Magazine". Black Belt Magazine. September 24, 2012. Archived from the original on November 22, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  3. ↑ Good Guys Wear Black (1978) , retrieved March 16, 2018
  4. ↑ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  5. ↑ Elvis (TV Movie 1978, he demonstrated martials arts techniques for USAF recruits in basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas 1979) , retrieved March 16, 2018
  6. ↑ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  7. ↑ Legend Norris (May 4, 2013), Chuck Norris in The Making of "A Force of One"., archived from the original on December 14, 2021, retrieved March 16, 2018
  8. ↑ The Visitor (1979) , retrieved March 16, 2018
  9. ↑ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  10. ↑ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  11. ↑ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  12. ↑ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  13. ↑ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  14. ↑ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  15. ↑ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  16. ↑ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  17. ↑ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  18. ↑ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  19. ↑ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  20. ↑ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  21. ↑ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  22. ↑ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Forest Warrior". TV Guide. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  24. ↑ Ripper Man (1995) , retrieved March 16, 2018
  25. ↑ Ferrandini, Dean Raphael (January 26, 1996), Overkill, Aaron Norris, Michael Nouri, Kenneth Moskow, retrieved March 16, 2018
  26. ↑ Walker, Texas Ranger (TV Series 1993–2001) , retrieved March 16, 2018
  27. ↑ Thomas, Bob (November 1, 1998). "Chuck Norris Day". Standard-Speaker.
  28. ↑ Preece, Michael; Norris, Eric; Donner, Richard; Meyer, Gerald (2013). 5 Film Chuck Norris Collection (DVD). Echo Bridge Acquisition Corp LLC. Event occurs at Logan's War: Bound by Honor . 09600922143.
  29. ↑ Bauder, David (November 5, 1998). "Temptations movie makes sweet music for NBC". The Morning Call.
  30. ↑ Sons of Thunder (TV Series 1999– ) , retrieved March 16, 2018
  31. ↑ "Sunday Night". Herald and Review. April 1, 2000. p. Tv-7.
  32. ↑ Hal Erickson (2015). "The President's Man 2: A Line In the Sand (2002)". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times . Archived from the original on December 17, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  33. ↑ Preece, Michael; Norris, Eric; Donner, Richard; Meyer, Gerald (2013). 5 Film Chuck Norris Collection (DVD). Echo Bridge Acquisition Corp LLC. Event occurs at The President's Man and The President's Man: A Line in the Sand. 09600922143.
  34. ↑ The Cutter (2005) , retrieved March 16, 2018
  35. ↑ Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire (TV Movie 2005) , retrieved March 16, 2018
  36. ↑ Inside Aphasia: A Documentary About Aphasia (2007) , retrieved March 16, 2018
  37. ↑ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  38. ↑ Everyday Life (TV Movie 2009) , retrieved March 16, 2018
  39. ↑ I Love You Phillip Morris (2009) , retrieved March 16, 2018
  40. ↑ AmericanLife Names Aaron Norris Development Chief, February 11, 2009
  41. ↑ "AmericanLife Names Aaron Norris Development Chief | Multichannel". multichannel.com. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  42. ↑ Skateland (2010) , retrieved March 16, 2018
  43. ↑ Ant-Man (2015) , retrieved March 16, 2018
  44. ↑ Norris, Chuck (2008). Black Belt Patriotism: How to Reawaken America . Regnery Publishing. pp.  59–60. ISBN   978-1-59698-558-2.
  45. ↑ Norris, Chuck (December 2, 2010). "Former TV lawman Chuck Norris to be given honorary Texas Ranger title by Gov. Rick Perry today in Garland". The Dallas Morning News . Retrieved December 12, 2010.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.