Two weeks after the passing of martial arts legend and actor Chuck Norris at age 86, his grieving family is fighting a new, digital battle: combating a wave of AI-generated misinformation surrounding his death.
The family took to Instagram Stories on April 1 to denounce a series of viral photos and videos created by artificial intelligence. According to the Norris family, these manipulated posts are spreading "false and misleading information" about his final moments, his medical history, and his private family dynamics.
One particularly egregious example circulating on Facebook featured an AI-generated image of Norris' casket allegedly surrounded by fellow action stars like Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Jackie Chan. Addressing the bizarre and insensitive trend, the family issued a firm denial:
"These claims are entirely untrue. This includes fabricated reports of past medical issues, as well as false narratives surrounding family relationships."
In their statement, the Walker, Texas Ranger star's loved ones issued a direct plea to fans, urging the public to critically evaluate the media they consume and share.
"We kindly ask that you do not believe or share any information unless it comes directly from the Norris family or an official family representative. Thank you for your understanding and for continuing to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers."
Norris passed away on March 19. At the time, his family confirmed his death with a touching tribute, remembering him not just as a global icon of strength, but as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother. They praised his unwavering faith, discipline, and kindness, noting that to the iconic action star, his millions of fans were always considered true friends.