Variety Faces Backlash for Criticizing Chuck Norris’ Legacy After His Death

After the passing of actor and martial artist Chuck Norris at age 86, controversy erupted when Variety published an opinion piece contending that Norris’s political image and law-and-order themes have overshadowed his film legacy. The columnist, William Earl, argued that Norris’s typical roles — often lone figures who take justice into their own hands — reflect values that feel uncomfortable in today’s politically divided climate. He suggested that characters once seen as heroic now evoke associations with excessive law enforcement or vigilante behavior. The piece cited Norris’s popular 1990s series Walker, Texas Ranger as an example of ‘cop-aganda,’ claiming it promoted overly simplistic notions of morality. Critics of the article, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Representative Tim Burchett, condemned Variety for politicizing the actor’s career so soon after his death. DeSantis called Norris a ‘great American,’ while Burchett accused Hollywood of arrogance and disrespect toward an icon who celebrated patriotism and American values. The controversy quickly spread across social media, with many conservatives labeling the column distasteful and out of touch. Norris, celebrated for his numerous action films such as Delta Force and Lone Wolf McQuade, remained a pop culture symbol of toughness and American pride throughout his decades-long career.