Editing Chuck Norris (section)

=== 1979 to 1983: Action film star ===
In 1979, Norris starred in ''[[A Force of One]]'', where he played Matt Logan, a world karate champion who assists the police in their investigation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2012/08/blu-ray-review-force-of-one-1979/ |title=Blu-ray Review – A Force of One (1979) |date=August 3, 2012 |access-date=January 3, 2018 }}</ref> The film was developed while touring for ''Good Guys Wear Black''. Again no studio wanted to pick it up, but it out-grossed the previous film by making $20 million at the box office.<ref name="blackbeltmag.com"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Force-of-One-A#tab=summary |title=A Force of One (1979) – Financial Information |access-date=January 3, 2018 |archive-date=May 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526210609/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Force-of-One-A#tab=summary |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1980, he released ''[[The Octagon (film)|The Octagon]]'', where his character must stop a group of terrorists trained in the ninja style.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.coolasscinema.com/2015/05/the-octagon-1980-review.html |title=The Octagon (1980) review |website=www.coolasscinema.com |access-date=January 3, 2018 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040113/http://www.coolasscinema.com/2015/05/the-octagon-1980-review.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike his previous films, this time the studios were interested. American Cinema Releasing distributed it and it made almost $19 million at the box office.<ref name="blackbeltmag.com"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=octagon.htm |title=The Octagon (1980)|website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=January 3, 2018 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201042101/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=octagon.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1981, he starred in [[Steve Carver]]'s ''[[An Eye for an Eye (1981 film)|An Eye for an Eye]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=AFI{{!}}Catalog|url=http://catalog.afi.com/Film/56593-AN-EYE-FOR-AN-EYE?cxt=filmography|access-date=2021-07-19|website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

In 1982, he had the lead in the action horror film ''[[Silent Rage]].''<ref>{{Cite web|title=AFI{{!}}Catalog|url=http://catalog.afi.com/Film/56872-SILENT-RAGE?cxt=filmography|access-date=2021-07-19|website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> It was his first film released by a major studio, [[Columbia Pictures]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Chuck Norris: action vs. violence |date=March 19, 1982 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2677989745 |language=en-CA |access-date=June 19, 2018 |archive-date=December 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202070945/https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2677989745 |url-status=live }}</ref> Norris plays a sheriff who must stop a psychopath on a rampage. Shortly afterward [[MGM]] gave him a three-movie deal and that same year, they released ''[[Forced Vengeance]]'' (1982). Norris was unhappy with the direction they wanted to take with him, hence the contract was canceled.<ref name="blackbeltmag.com" />

In 1983, Norris made ''[[Lone Wolf McQuade]]'' with [[Orion Pictures]] and Carver directing.<ref>{{Cite web|title=AFI{{!}}Catalog|url=http://catalog.afi.com/Film/67307-LONE-WOLF-MCQUADE?cxt=filmography|access-date=2021-07-19|website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> He plays a reckless but brave Texas Ranger who defeats an arms dealer played by [[David Carradine]]. The film was a worldwide hit and had a positive reception from movie critics, often being compared to [[Sergio Leone]]'s stylish [[Spaghetti Westerns]]. The film became the inspiration for Norris's future hit TV show ''[[Walker, Texas Ranger]]''. Film critic [[Roger Ebert]] gave the film a 3.5 star rating, calling the character of J.J. McQuade worthy of a film series and predicting the character would be a future classic, and it would be the first movie where Norris would wear his trademark beard.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lone Wolf McQuade |newspaper=[[Chicago Sun Times]] |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19830418/REVIEWS/304180301/1023 |access-date=January 3, 2011 |archive-date=October 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012030521/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F19830418%2FREVIEWS%2F304180301%2F1023 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Lone Wolf McQuade |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=December 31, 1982 |url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117792686?refcatid=31 |access-date=January 3, 2011 |archive-date=November 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107180841/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117792686?refcatid=31 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Villainy dispatched in el paso |newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 16, 1983 |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=980DE2DA143BF935A25757C0A965948260 |access-date=January 21, 2011 |first=Vincent |last=Canby |archive-date=May 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526210618/https://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/16/movies/villainy-dispatched-in-el-paso.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The same year, he also published an exercise called ''Toughen Up! the Chuck Norris Fitness System''.<ref>{{cite book |title=Toughen Up! the Chuck Norris Fitness System |first=Chuck |last=Norris |date=May 1, 1983 |publisher=Bantam Dell Pub Group |id={{ASIN|055301465X |country=ca}}}}</ref> Also in 1983, [[Xonox]] produced the video game ''[[Chuck Norris Superkicks]]'' for the [[Commodore 64]], [[VIC-20]], [[Atari 2600]], and [[Colecovision]]. The game combines two types of gameplay: moving through a map, and fighting against enemies. The player takes control of Norris who has to liberate a hostage. It was later sold as ''Kung Fu Superkicks'' when the license for the use of the Chuck Norris name expired.