Aussie martial arts legend and Hollywood trainer Richard Norton dies
An Australian mixed martial arts legend, who helped train countless Hollywood stars for iconic movies, has tragically passed away.
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Australian mixed martial arts legend Richard Norton, who trained some of Hollywood’s most famous actors throughout a storied career, has tragically died at the age of 75.
Norton died in Melbourne and his heartbroken wife Judy Green confirmed his passing in an Instagram post on Sunday.
“I am numb and devastated, I have no words, I have lost my everything,” Green posted.
“I know there is, and will be lots of love and shock that we have lost this incredible human being.
“The love of my life. I’m using this time to come to terms with my great loss. Judy.”
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Suicide Squad star Karen Fukuhara led the tributes, commenting: “I am so sorry.”
Norton was a martial artist, stunt performer actor and stunt co-ordinator who worked with a who’s who of Hollywood A-listers throughout his career. He held black belts in karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
He appeared as a bodyguard in the 1977 ABBA movie and is perhaps best known for his role in the 1980 Chuck Norris film The Octagon. Norton was a contemporary of Norris, one of the most iconic MMA artists of all time.
Norton’s fight scene opposite Cynthia Rothrick in Hong Kong action film The Magic Crystal and his showdown against Norris in The Octagon were some of his most iconic moments on screen.
Norton worked as a fight choreographer for movies including Max Max: Fury Road, Suicide Squad and X-Men: Dark Phoenix.
One of his final acting roles was a small part in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
Over his career, Norton helped train star actors including Jackie Chan, Scarlett Johansson, Charlize Theron, Sophie Turner, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ben Affleck, Margot Robbie, Charlie Hunnam and Liam Neeson.
He also worked with musical superstars including ABBA and Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac.
“I did 60 movies in the ‘80s and ‘90s but the older you get the less roles there are unless you are playing someone’s dad or an ageing gangster, and I get that,” Norton told the Sunday Herald Sun in 2023.
“I was lucky enough to learn what it is like behind the camera and that is where my main career is now.
“My job is to train the actors up, figure out the choreography, choreograph the fights and then teach the actors how to perform the fights and make sure they look good on set.
“I just give them the tools …. I teach them the skill set they need to perform certain fights, so then when I get to choreograph the fights they already know how to execute the moves, so we can concentrate on putting the actual fight together.
“I always say what you do and what you put on celluloid is there forever.”
Actor Robert Patrick, who starred in Terminator 2: Judgement Day, paid tribute to Norton, describing the Aussie as an “extraordinary individual”.
“I am deeply saddened to share that my friend Richard Norton has passed away,” Patrick wrote on social media.
“He was an extraordinary individual, a towering figure in the martial arts community, and a contemporary of Chuck Norris.
“In addition to his impressive career as a highly sought-after bodyguard for rock stars, he made his mark as an accomplished fight coordinator on major films.
“More than that, he was a wonderful human being, and I feel fortunate to have shared the screen with him in “Equalizer 2000.”
“My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Judy, and his family during this difficult time.”
The Bulletproof Action account on X posted: “Devastating news. Richard Norton has passed away. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans.
“Norton was a superb martial artist who spent decades contributing to the world of action entertainment. He will be greatly missed.”
Action-Flix.com wrote: “R.I.P. to one of the legit bad asses on and off the screen … Richard Norton. A fan since the early days I was actually setting up an interview with him and he couldn’t have been any nicer. He was one of the best there was and ever will be. Action Cinema has lost a true pioneer …”
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