Los Angeles, California - Chuck Norris, the martial artist and Hollywood action movie star most famous for his role in Walker, Texas Ranger, has died, his family said Friday. He was 86.

"It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning," the family said in a statement on Instagram.

"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," the note continued.

"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."

Norris reportedly fell ill on Thursday on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

He turned 86 last week, marking the event with a video of him boxing on social media and saying, "I don't age. I level up."

The martial arts expert turned actor has starred in a slew of action films since his acting debut with a cameo in a 1968 Dean Martin film The Wrecking Crew.

Four years later, his epic fight with the kung-fu superstar Bruce Lee in The Way of The Dragon (1972) helped turn Norris into an icon on big and small screens alike.

In 1983, he slipped into the role of a taciturn Texas ranger waging war against an arms dealer in Lone Wolf McQuade, which provided the template for the cult TV series Walker, Texas Ranger.

The show ran for eight seasons and spawned countless action-man jokes and memes, one being that Chuck Norris and Superman had a fight, with the loser (Superman) forced to wear their underpants on the outside.