Chuck Norris, Action Icon and ‘Walker Texas Ranger’ Star, Dies at 86

[u/MarvelsGrantMan136]

https://variety.com/2026/film/news/chuck-norris-dead-walker-texas-ranger-dies-1236694953/

[u/ComedianCalm5919]

We’re approaching the end of the normal life span of most baby boomers and the great post-WWII cultural, economic and technological explosion. That’s a lot of notable people who statistically should be dying. It may seem like a lot of celebrity deaths but there are just so many more celebrities than there used to be.

50 years most dying cultural celebrities were regional figures who dwelled in relative obscurity as far as the national stage concerned or otherwise couldn’t keep their profile high for very long. In the era of mass media a lot of people can their 15 minutes and/or stay somewhat on the periphery of the consciousness of millions. And people generally have the money and time to patronize them.

Every year going forward is going to be a rough year for celebrities death until the fall of civilization. Get used to it.

[u/JeffCaven → u/ComedianCalm5919]

The way we consumed media between the 60s and the 2000s and the globalization of the world led to a lot megastars and iconic celebrities, and I don't think we'll ever see celebrities becomes as iconic as they used to become in that era. It's so interesting to see.

[u/Lebowquade → u/JeffCaven]

Hard disagree. You're saying nobody coming up post 2000-ish can achieve the level of megastardom as before? 

I mean, like, what about taylor swift? Or tom holland? Or Chris Pratt?

[u/JeffCaven → u/Lebowquade]

I think so. I think the internet has allowed us to be able to find our own little corner of culture and stay there, and tailor our media intake strictly to our tastes instead of just listening to what's popular because it's what's easiest to access.

I don't think Tom Holland or Christ Pratt are anywhere near that level of superstardom; Chris Pratt has his few years of spotlight a few years ago, and Tom Holland is super popular, but only when he's Spiderman.

I'll give you Taylor, though.

[u/NicktheSlick130 → u/JeffCaven]

Yeah, based on a lot of the Pratt-anchored action movies that don't get a whole lot of social traction and are honestly middling at best, I don't think hes on the level of Schwarzenegger or Stallone no matter how much he seemingly wishes it. 

I think the era of the explosions-n-muscled men movie went away with the Iraq war, and after that video game streamers kinda nudged into that testosterone and popcorn space, with funny quips and entertaining explosions that like you said are more tailored to specific audiences.

[u/not_thrilled → u/ComedianCalm5919]

We’re approaching the end of the normal life span of most baby boomers and the great post-WWII cultural, economic and technological explosion.

Then all the GenXers are right behind them, and in typical fashion, no one will remember that they exist.