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Chuck Norris Facts are an Internet phenomenon in which people invent or repeat satirical "facts" and tall-tales about martial artist and actor Chuck Norris. The "facts" tend to involve absurdly exaggerated claims of Norris' toughness, attitude, virility, and masculinity stated in an absurdly serious tone; for example:
- Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.
- If you can see Chuck Norris, he can see you. If you can't see Chuck Norris you may be only seconds away from death.
- When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.
- Chuck Norris does not sleep, he waits.
The meme has recently been modified to feature Jack Bauer or Samuel L. Jackson as the central character, while retaining the same "facts."
Background
Chuck Norris Facts were originally seen on IRC, and on websites like the Something Awful forums, in early 2005. Conan O'Brien's Chuck Norris jokes on Late Night with Conan O'Brien (which generally center on Walker: Texas Ranger) have been seen as an inspiration for the fad. Chuck Norris Facts followed "facts" based on actor Vin Diesel. The exaggerated style of the Chuck Norris Facts is similar to a recurring Saturday Night Live sketch called Bill Brasky. These are all similar to tall tales, such as those of Paul Bunyan.
Norris's Response
Chuck Norris responded to the Chuck Norris Facts on his official website with the following statement:
I'm aware of the made up declarations about me that have recently begun to appear on the Internet and in emails as "Chuck Norris facts." I've seen some of them. Some are funny. Some are pretty far out. Being more a student of the Wild West than the wild world of the Internet, I'm not quite sure what to make of it. It's quite surprising. I do know that boys will be boys, and I neither take offense nor take these things too seriously. Who knows, maybe these made up one-liners will prompt young people to seek out the real facts as found in my recent autobiographical book, "Against All Odds"? They may even be interested enough to check out my novels set in the Old West, "The Justice Riders," released this month. I'm very proud of these literary efforts.
Popular culture
- Norris has appeared on The Tony Danza Show and The Best Damn Sports Show Period, and has been questioned regarding the satirical facts. In the latter show, he read up the current Top 10 facts, as well as mentioning his favorite one was "They once tried to carve Chuck Norris' face into Mount Rushmore, but the granite wasn't hard enough for his beard".
- Rolling Stone magazine featured a short blurb regarding the "facts". (See image above.)
- In the March 20, 2006 issue, TIME magazine interviewed Chuck Norris, calling him an "online cult hero." In the answer to their last question, he called the Chuck Norris Facts "weird but wildly popular sayings" and quoted one: "Chuck Norris can divide by zero."
- Saturday Night Live featured a sketch called "Young Chuck Norris", a mock music video about young Chuck Norris' exaggerated escapades based on the facts.
External links
- Chuck Norris Facts.com
- Anti-Chuck Norris Facts
- Random Fact Generator
- Chuck Norris' official response
- A Washington Post article on Chuck Norris facts
- A Saturday Night Live digital short: "Young Chuck Norris"
- Chuck Norris' Top 10 on The Best Damn Sports Show Period (video)