Vanilla Ice Remembers Chuck Norris Following His Passing
Vanilla Ice is reflecting on the life of his co-star Chuck Norris, who tragically passed away on March 19th, at the age of 86.
In a recent conversation, the 58-year-old rapper, whose real name is Robert Van Winkle, shared his thoughts about working alongside Norris in the upcoming comedy-action film, *Zombie Plane*.
He expressed, “What a legend. It’s amazing that we had him at 86 years old giving it his all on set. I mean, he’s still going to kick our ass, right?”
He continued, “He was an American villain—one you couldn’t underestimate. This guy could really deliver a kick that would take you by surprise. Always in top form.”
Vanilla Ice reminisced about their initial reactions to Norris’ death, which brought floods of memories. “Finding out Chuck passed away hit hard. That guy was iconic. I think about all his films, like *The Way of the Dragon* with Bruce Lee and even *Delta Force* from the ’80s,” he mentioned. “His last film, *With Me*, hasn’t been released yet, so that really took us by surprise.” He noted how everyone involved felt a heavy heart over the news.
Expressing enthusiasm for *Zombie Plane*, Vanilla Ice recalled their last chat when Norris showed excitement about the project’s action sequences. He fondly described a FaceTime call in which he had the chance to discuss the film while filming in Australia. “I was showing him some clips, and he really liked it,” he said. “For an action lover like him, this was right up his alley. Having a legend like Chuck Norris involved is just extraordinary.”
The excitement about Norris joining the *Zombie Plane* cast was palpable for Vanilla Ice. “When I found out he was in, I was thrilled. I mean, can you blame me? This man is one of my American heroes!” he exclaimed.
Vanilla Ice reminisced about how starstruck he felt meeting Norris for the first time at a Hollywood event and how much he admired the action star growing up. “I was such a fan, I wouldn’t even know if he realized it,” he recalled. “But he was always respectful, just a genuinely great guy.”
He emphasized that Norris’ legacy lives on through his films. “For kids like me who were into sports like motocross and skateboarding, he was our hero. He embodied that American hero spirit,” he said. “He fit into so many roles seamlessly, that was just who he was.”
*Zombie Plane* is set to hit theaters in 2027, featuring a storyline about a plane hijacked by zombies, with both Vanilla Ice and Norris playing fictional versions of themselves. The film includes a diverse cast and promises plenty of cameos.
As for seeing Norris’ performance, Vanilla Ice eagerly requested unedited clips from the producers because he couldn’t wait. He recalled saying, “Don’t make me wait, this is Chuck Norris!”
Finally, he reflected on Norris’ impact, stating, “While we mourn his passing, let’s remember him through his movies. He really made a mark on American pop culture.” Vanilla Ice concluded, “Today is a somber reminder of a legend’s departure, but he’ll always be remembered.”
