Inside Chuck Norris' Private Family Life

“I was going through my mail at home and I see this letter and I open it up,” he recalled on Entertainment Tonight in 2004. “It’s from Dina and she says, ‘I’m your daughter from a past experience,’ and she said, ‘I found out you were my father when I was 16, but my mother said you were married and we shouldn’t interfere with your family.’”

Though the Way of the Dragon star was initially hesitant about meeting Dina, their connection was instant.

“It’s so amazing because I’m looking at her and she’s staring at me, and we just sort of gravitate toward each other,” he shared. “We just went into each other’s arms and started crying.”

And that fatherly affection extended to all of his children, especially Dakota and Danilee, who both shared loving tributes to their father in the wake of his death.

“Dad, it’s hard to find the right words for this, but I’ll do my best,” Dakota posted on Instagram alongside several snaps of the two through the years. “You’ve been the man I looked up to my whole life. Your generosity, your kindness, your courage, your integrity, your strength, your discipline, and your faith in the Lord were just a handful of things I always admired about you.”

“Thank you for everything you gave to our family and for the example you set every day,” he added. “I hope I can live a life that honors you and makes you proud.”

Danilee echoed a similar statement, writing on her account, “My dad loved so deeply and cared for every single person in his life with so much tenderness. He may have a warrior exterior, but his heart was so full of love and I’m so grateful that is something he and my mom passed down to me. To say how thankful I am for him being my dad is an understatement.”

“He has been my safe person these past 24 years and I am constantly filled with gratitude for how much wisdom and love he has bestowed me and my brother,” she continued. “I will forever carry on his legacy and shower others in that compassion that he so frequently showed.”

For a look back at Chuck’s life in photos, keep reading.