All weekend long Masonic groups and individual Masons on social media platforms have circulated images and text snippits that claim popular actor and martial arts champion Chuck Norris was a Freemason. One especially detailed image appears to come from the Grand Lodge of Texas paying tribute to the late Norris by falsely claiming he was a distinguished Texas Mason.
Norris died suddenly on Thursday after being hospitalized in Hawaii with a medical emergency. He was 86 years old.
But Chuck Norris was not himself a Mason, no matter what the Intertubz may have told you. Not a single lodge or grand lodge has legitimately acknowledged Norris' Masonic membership - traditional, honorary, or otherwise.
It IS true that Norris is described in many circles as a 'grand master' in the martial arts world, which is likely the source of confusion that set off this silliness in the first place. But that term has been around for a very long time, pre-dating modern Freemasonry, appearing in ancient craft guilds and medieval orders of knighthood. We Masons don't have a corner on the term.
Darn good reporting as usual, Chris. Earlier this week one of our well meaning Brothers at my job was excited to inform me the good late actor and Martial Artist Chuck Norris was a Freemason. I was shocked and not too sure about that because I have been an active Freemason for well over three decades and did not know about it. Thanks for clarifying and setting the facts before us. I will inform our well intentioned misinformed Brother of your Post.
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