Gena O’Kelly: Chuck Norris’s Second Wife, 23 Years Younger, and Mother to His Twins Born When He Was 61
Whenever I read anything Chuck Norris has written about his current wife, I feel butterflies and rainbows are about to come out of my screen. So, naturally, I got curious.
Who is this Gena O’Kelly who enchanted one of the most hardcore people in Hollywood? I started researching immediately, and now I know why Norris is so in love with her.
Are you curious, too? I got you. In this post, I’ll cover all there is to know about Gena O’Kelly to show you how she became the woman she is today.
Gena O’Kelly: An Introduction
You probably think the media knows every detail about Gena O’Kelly’s life, right? I hate to break it to you, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Despite being married to one of the most successful actors in Hollywood, O’Kelly chose to maintain a low profile. That doesn’t mean we know nothing about her, though.
Born on August 10th, 1963, in Ryan, Oklahoma, she’s 61 years old as of writing this post. Her husband, born on March 10, 1940, is 23 years older than her. She comes from a simple family where her father worked as a security officer at Kunde Estate Winery and Hewlett-Packard.
Everything about O’Kelly’s early childhood indicated that she’d have an everyday life, but routine is the last word I’d use to describe what her life turned out to be.
Gena O’Kelly’s Career
It doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to notice that the camera loves O’Kelly, and she knew that. That’s why she entered the entertainment industry when she finished her studies.
Modeling
It didn’t take long for someone as attractive as O’Kelly to gain recognition as a model. She worked with more reputable brands than I could count in commercials and as a spokesperson.
Before she knew it, the world had labeled her as one of the most stunning models in the industry.
TV Appearances
You know how the entertainment industry works. A model becomes so famous that directors and producers encourage her to hit the small screen.
Her most notable works include:
- Yes, Dear (2003)
- Biography (2005)
- Praise the Lord (2006)
- Hannity (2009)
- The Factor (2012)
- TV2 Nyhetene (2019)
You’re probably wondering: “Was she a good actress?” We’ll never know. You see, she only appeared as herself in these shows, so she didn’t have to do that much acting.
Gena O’Kelly’s Husband
Chuck Norris, you know him, love him, and probably want to be him (I know I do). Let’s see what this man’s career has been like.
Martial Arts
I’m sure that some of you didn’t know that Norris wasn’t always an actor. He started his professional life as an Air Policeman in the United States Air Force.
After being sent to the Osan Air Base in South Korea, he became interested in learning martial arts and understanding how they’re an extension of ourselves.
He started with Tang Soo Do, a karate-based type of martial arts, got a black belt in it, and developed the Chun Kuk Do form.
After being released from the force, Norris decided to pursue martial arts. He opened his school and competed in various competitions. Then, on June 24, 1967, he finally won the All-American Karate Championship.
I never won a martial arts tournament, but I can imagine that it must’ve been one of the proudest moments of his life.
Acting
After gaining some recognition in the martial arts sphere, producers realized Norris had the potential to be a big movie star, and they were right.
The man was in some of Hollywood’s most incredible action movies, including Way of the Dragon, The Octagon, Lone Wolf McQuade, and more.
Honestly, though? My favorite Chuck Norris appearance is the “Thank you, Chuck Norris” scene in the comedy hit movie Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. It was only a few seconds, but it lives rent-free in my head.
Gena O’Kelly and Chuck Norris
Norris and O’Kelly’s first meet-up wasn’t what you’d expect. What does that mean? Norris met his soon-to-be second wife in 1997 while on a date with someone else. Awkward, I know.
The next day, he saw her on the set of his show, Walker, Texas Ranger, and wanted to get to know her better, so he asked her out. The date went well because they’ve been together ever since.
One year later, they were married, and life couldn’t have improved—but it still did. In 2001, Norris and O’Kelly welcomed their twins, Dakota Alan and Danilee Kelly. Norris was 61 years old at the time.
In addition to their twins, O’Kelley became the stepmother to Norris’ three children from previous relationships: Mike, Dina, and Eric.
Marital Challenges
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Norris and O’Kelly might be the cutest couple I’ve ever seen, always trying to uplift and care for each other. That doesn’t mean their marriage was trouble-free, though.
You see, in 2013, O’Kelly was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Before getting an MRI scan, the doctors gave her a dye to make her tissues and blood vessels appear clearly in the images.
Unfortunately, that dye ended up poisoning her body, leaving her incapable of caring for herself. What does Norris do? He puts his acting projects aside to focus on caring for his wife. Isn’t he the sweetest?
Gena O’Kelly and Chuck Norris Working Together
O’Kelly and Norris didn’t just share a life. They built a business together. Norris started the Kick Drugs Out of America Foundation in 1990, but with the help of his wife, it turned into Kickstart Kids in 2003.
The non-profit organization aims to teach people martial arts, not just for self-defense but as a discipline that can help them learn, do, and be more.
Wrapping Up
Gena O’Kelly is many things: a loving partner, a nurturing mother, and a successful woman. What’s more impressive is that she managed to thrive in all these aspects together. When it comes to her priorities, though, her family will always come first, and that’s why I hold nothing but the most profound respect and admiration for her.
