Why didnt Chuck Norris do westerns?

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Chuck Norris did not star in traditional, old-west-style Westerns, primarily because his career was built on modern, fast-paced action roles that showcased his specific martial arts skills (karate/kickboxing). While he embodied the stoic, tough-guy persona often associated with cowboys, his brand relied on contemporary settings.
However, the assertion that he avoided Westerns entirely is slightly inaccurate, as he essentially pioneered the "neo-Western" genre, which updated the concept for modern audiences.
Here is why Chuck Norris didn't do traditional Westerns:
Focus on Modern Action: Norris's acting career was rooted in martial arts films, moving from Hong Kong action (opposite Bruce Lee) to 1980s American action films. These roles (e.g., Missing in Action, Delta Force) demanded modern settings, not the frontier, to showcase his fighting style.
"Neo-Western" Specialist: Instead of old-west films, Norris brought the cowboy archetype into modern times, most notably in the 1983 film "Lone Wolf McQuade" and his long-running television series "Walker, Texas Ranger". Lone Wolf McQuade was specifically noted for incorporating Western elements (reminiscent of Spaghetti Westerns) while keeping the action contemporary.
Preference for Modern Settings: His roles were defined by being a "modern-day cowboy," where his martial arts skills felt appropriate.
The Walker, Texas Ranger Fit: Norris took the role of Cordell Walker because it allowed him to work near his home in Texas, rather than in LA or New York, and it combined his affinity for the Texan, law-enforcement persona with his martial arts expertise.
In summary, Norris didn't do traditional Westerns because his stardom was built on being a contemporary martial arts hero, yet he successfully applied the cowboy archetype to modern-day settings.

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