Dianne Holechek Is Chuck Norris’ Less-Known First Wife and Mom of 2 Sons

Dianne Holechek joined the Hollywood spotlight alongside her ex-husband, former U.S. soldier and actor Chuck Norris, briefly while she carved her own career path. Her sons followed in their dad’s footsteps in the film industry and extreme sports.

Dianne Holechek is chiefly known for her decades-long marriage to long-time action star Chuck Norris. She and Chuck met as high schoolers and tied the knot in the late 1950s. They welcomed two sons together; however, an extra-marital affair brought a third child soon after their second son was born.

Dianne drew her first breath in Los Angeles on November 27, 1941. She worked as an actress and homemaker but later abandoned the former profession. This year marked her 81st birthday, and it’s unknown if she has retired from homemaking, as she remained hidden from the limelight.

Chuck Norris and Diane Holechek pose for a picture at the American Film Market Party on March 24, 1981, at Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images

Chuck Norris’s First Marriage to Dianne Lasted for Almost 30 Years

Chuck and Dianne met while they attended Torrance High School when Chuck was still a junior. He later enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and their relationship continued long-distance. The Hollywood star proposed to Dianne via a letter after enlisting, and they married when he returned in December 1958.

The former couple tied the knot in a traditional ceremony, where Chuck donned his Air Force uniform. They then traveled to Big Bear, California, where they enjoyed a four-day honeymoon. After four years of military service, Chuck was discharged, and they began expanding their family.

Chuck Norris and Diane Holechek are pictured at the 16th Annual American Music Awards on January 30, 1989, at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Dianne Is the Mom of Two of Chuck’s Sons

Dianne gave birth to his first, Mike Norris, on October 4, 1962. Following Chuck’s footsteps, he landed his first walk-on role at 17 years old in his dad’s 1979 film “A Force of One.” After that, he took a keen interest in stuntwork and has remained largely behind the scenes in the film industry.

Mike appeared in several T.V. shows, including “Walker” and “Texas Ranger.” However, he’s best known for his stunt work in “Rush Hour 3,” starring Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan. He co-wrote, co-directed, and co-starred in the 2019 action thriller “The End of Days: Global Catastrophe.”

Chuck Norris and wife Diane Holechek are pictured at the 43rd Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 24, 1986, at Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images

Apart from leading a successful career, Mike is a husband and father. He married Valerie Ann Gallo in May 1992, and the couple welcomed three children. He is reportedly a conservative and a supporter of former U.S. president Donald Trump.

Dianne’s second son is Eric Norris, born May 20, 1964. Like his brother, Eric dabbled in acting but found his passion in stunt work, with over 100 credits to his name as of this writing, including “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” “The Town,” and “Sons of Anarchy.”

Chuck Norris and Diane Holechek are pictured at “The Naked Cage” Hollywood Premiere on February 22, 1986, at Cannon Films Headquarters in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

Eric is also a racecar driver and has competed nearly 90 times, taking the winning cup three times. He married Stephanie Di Ciolli, and the couple has four children, one of whom is also an actress, Gabi Di Ciolli.

While Dianne carried Eric, her ex-husband was involved in an extra-marital affair, which conceived his daughter, Dina Norris, who only came forward 26 years after her birth. The couple remained together even after Chuck’s infidelity, but they separated in 1988 and divorced in 1989.

Chuck Norris and Diane Holechek are photographed at the “Runaway Train” Beverly Hills Premiere Party on December 5, 1985, at Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills | Source: Getty Images

10 Years after His Split with Dianne, Chuck Married Another Woman

It’s unknown if Dianne remarried after her union with Chuck was dissolved, but he moved on to a woman 23 years his junior, Gena O’Kelly. Chuck and Gena married on November 28, 1998, and the couple welcomed opposite-sex twins, Dakota Alan and Danilee Kelly, born on August 30, 2001.

Like her husband, Gena has been part of the entertainment industry for some time. She worked as a model and co-hosted “Total Fitness” alongside Chuck and Christie Brinkley. Many stars appeared on the show, including Wesley Snipes, Steve Guttenberg, Janine Turner, and Jonathan Roberts.

Gena also dabbled in acting, but after marrying Chuck, she focused on entrepreneurship; the pair have partnered on numerous business projects together. They also have a shared faith in Christianity and have raised their kids to value fitness. Dakota and Danilee are blackbelt holders like Chuck.

Their lives have been full of joy and contentment; they celebrated their 24th anniversary earlier this year. However, it was disrupted in 2017 when Gena suffered the severe effects of gadolinium. The metallic substance had been administered into her body by McKesson Corp and Braco S.p.A.

It turned out to be toxic, leading to “the most horrific” experience of Gena’s life as it caused sharp pains and burning sensations in parts of her body. She and Chuck – a philanthropist and a “real softy” – sued both corporations for $10 million.

The couple said they weren’t doing it for the money but to raise enough awareness about the dangers of administering gadolinium to encourage its removal from the market. Chuck decided to halt his acting career to care for Gena and nurse her back to health.

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