News broke today that Chuck Norris has died, marking the end of an era for one of pop culture’s most enduring figures. From his dominance in action films to his long-running TV success on Walker, Texas Ranger, Norris carved out an impressive Hollywood legacy. For late-night fans, that legacy is inseparable from Conan O'Brien.
In the wake of the news, many fans are revisiting one of O'Brien’s most beloved recurring bits: the “Walker, Texas Ranger Lever.” The gag, where O’Brien would pull a lever to trigger absurd, out-of-context clips from Walker, Texas Ranger, became a staple of Late Night with Conan O'Brien and remains one of the most iconic running jokes in late-night history.
But as funny as those bits were, they only tell part of the story when it comes to the late-night legend and action icon. Norris himself appeared on Late Night multiple times, and those moments revealed a genuine sense of humor that only made him more beloved.
One standout appearance came on February 6, 1995, when Norris sat down for a standard Late Night interview with O'Brien. He described a chaotic experience in Russia after the country's underground martial arts movement used his movies as instructional material. He also reflected on his famous cinematic showdown with Bruce Lee.
More than a decade later, Norris showed he was more than willing to poke fun at himself. In a September 9, 2008, sketch, he made a cameo in “Noches de Pasión con Señor Conando O’Brien,” a tongue-in-cheek bit designed to appeal to Spanish-speaking audiences. The over-the-top parody gave Norris a chance to lean into the absurdity, proving he was in on the joke that came with just his entrance into a room.
And perhaps most fittingly, Norris directly confronted Conan O'Brien during a September 8, 2004, segment. After the NBC Universal merger, Conan excitedly prepared to pull the “Walker, Texas Ranger Lever," only to be interrupted by Norris himself. The moment flipped the long-running gag on its head, with the man behind the myth stepping in to the bit and playing along with the joke. It turned into a extended sketch that saw Norris put a beating on O'Brien, letting the punchline become the hero.
Taken together, these appearances highlight why Norris remained such a beloved figure for decades. While others might have complained at being turned into a punchline, he embraced it. O'Brien’s use of his image was never mean-spirited, which helped. Instead, it became a shared joke between host, audience, and star.
In the end, that willingness to laugh at himself may be just as important as anything Norris accomplished on screen. Anyone who takes their craft seriously but not themselves will earn the respect of Conan O'Brien.