Chuck Norris, 83, is beyond grateful that his mom is turning 102. The star even wrote an article in her honor. And the way this lady smiles despite all the heartbreaking struggles she had to face tells us that life is a journey worth living despite its hardships.
102 years and still going strong.
Chuck shared an article on his Facebook page and expressed his affection and admiration for his mom Wilma who was born in 1921 and is ’’102 years young’’. The Hollywood star noted ’’What’s even more remarkable is that she is so full of life that she might make it another 100 years!’’
Norris then exclaimed ’’Mom, I don’t know what’s more difficult to believe: that you are 102 years old or that you have a son who is 83 years old!’’ Either way, he declared how ’’grateful’’ he feels to have her as his mother. He also noted ’’We’ve been through thick and thin in this life, and we are still going strong.’’
Chuck’s son, Mike, also posted a heartwarming video of his grandma as she gets presented with her birthday cake. He wrote ’’It is an honor to be your first grandchild.’’
She saved her son.
Despite her positive outlook on life and radiant smile, Wilma had a challenging life, raising her three children alone after Chuck’s dad abandoned them. Norris shared ’’Mom has been an example of perseverance.’’
He also noted that he was ’’nearly losing my soul to Hollywood’’, but his mother didn’t lose faith in him, and she prayed for his success and salvation. The star added ’’She even prayed for me to find a woman to change my life, and it worked.’’ In fact, Chuck has been married for 25 years to model Gena O’Kelley and the two are still going strong.
She’s a brave fighter.
Wilma had a complicated health journey, but she persisted and won her serious battles with cancer many times.
The martial artist explained that she has ’’has gone through roughly 30 different surgeries for a host of issues — and yet she’s still here to tell about it.’’
Family plays a central role in Chuck Norris’s life, and he welcomed his love child with open arms after 26 years of not knowing her.
Preview photo credit iammikenorris / Instagram, chucknorris / Instagram
The surprising reason Cynthia Rhodes stepped away from her flourishing career after dirty dancing
Cynthia Rhodes, known for her iconic roles in Staying Alive and Dirty Dancing, is a legendary figure in 1980s dance dramas. As she approaches her 68th birthday in November 2024, it’s worth reflecting on why this Hollywood triple threat chose to retire at the peak of her career.
Rhodes was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and began her career with a small part in the 1980 film Xanadu, which starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly. Her breakout came with her portrayal of Tina Tech in Flashdance, followed by a significant role in Staying Alive, where she played the love interest of John Travolta.
However, it was her unforgettable performance as Penny Johnson in Dirty Dancing that solidified her status in Hollywood. In this role, she captivated audiences with her Mambo dancing alongside Patrick Swayze, while also delivering poignant emotional scenes, including the character’s harrowing experience with an illegal abortion.
Rhodes described Penny as a complex character who had endured a tough life, yet retained a sense of sweetness. The film not only showcased her dancing skills but also tackled important social issues, positioning its leads, including Rhodes, for stardom.
Despite her success, Rhodes decided to step back from the industry, citing the physical demands of dance. “Dancing became really hard”, she said, expressing her desire for roles that didn’t involve strenuous movement. “I keep saying I’ll never dance again… my bones hurt, my back hurts all the time”, she explained.
In 1987, the same year Dirty Dancing premiered, Rhodes appeared in Richard Marx’s music video for “Don’t Mean Nothing”. She married Marx in 1989 and welcomed three children: Brandon in 1990, Lucas in 1992, and Jesse in 1994. Marx noted that Rhodes found more fulfillment in motherhood than in her previous career, which she left in 1990 partly due to the intense physical pain from dancing.
Rhodes, who started dancing at the age of three, emphasized her love for it but acknowledged the toll it took on her body. “If I never danced again, I wouldn’t regret it”, she said, highlighting her contentment in focusing on her family.
Her last film appearance was in 1991’s Curse of the Crystal Eye. After divorcing Marx in 2014, she stepped further into her role as a mother, watching her children pursue careers in the arts: Brandon as a music producer, Lucas as a singer and actor, and Jesse as a musician in a metal band. While fans miss seeing Cynthia Rhodes on screen, her decision to leave Hollywood resonates, underscoring the high demands of a career in dance and the joy she found in motherhood.
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