Chuck Norris Gives CBS a Roundhouse Kick in Court Settlement Over WALKER, TEXAS RANGER Profits
We all know not to mess with Chuck Norris because he will always come out the victor. But, five years ago, when Norris sued CBS for more than $30 million over profits from the eight seasons of Walker, Texas Ranger they decided to take him on and go to court.
Well, it’s now being reported that both sides say “the parties have resolved the dispute” because CBS finally realized they couldn’t beat Norris in the fight. There’s no word on how much Norris got in the settlement, but Deadline says that he “pocketed a healthy sum in the end.”
Norris’ Top Kick Productions accused Sony and CBS of engaging in “self-dealing” that “cost Top Kick millions of dollars in past and future license fees.” It’s estimated that the series has made over $692 million since its 1993 debut, the filing claimed, “the Defendants have consciously sought to market, sell and distribute Walker in ways that are designed to collect significant fees and revenues from the ongoing exploitation of Walker but without having to honor or pay Top Kick, and to instead materially breach the 23 Percent Profit Clause.”
Walker, Texas Ranger was created by Paul Haggis, Leslie Greif, Chis Canaan and Godfather producer Al Ruddy, the series ran on CBS from 1993 to 2001, and spawned the cliffhanging 2005 TV movie Trial by Fire.
The series followed Cordell Walker, a Texas Ranger who believes in the use of old-fashioned justice. Alongside his partner James Trivette, Assistant District Attorney Alex Cahill, and former Ranger turned private investigator C.D. Parker, Walker navigates a variety of crime cases and challenging situations. The series combines elements of martial arts, westerns, and high-stakes action with moral and social issues, creating a distinct blend of modern cop drama and classic Western elements.
This is just another example that Chuck Norris is a force to be reckoned with. As the expression goes: “Contrary to popular belief, Chuck Norris has never cheated death. He always wins fair and square.” You can substitute the word “death” with any other thing.