Taylor Sheridan Recalls Working With Chuck Norris on Walker Texas Ranger

Before founding the Yellowstone TV universe, creator Taylor Sheridan started his professional acting career on the CBS series Walker, Texas Ranger. The early television role placed him opposite the late martial arts star Chuck Norris during the third season of the long-running action drama. That initial on-set experience provided Sheridan with his first professional exposure to the Western genre before he transitioned to writing and directing acclaimed projects like Sicario and Hell or High Water.

Sheridan Plays a Drag Racer in War Zone

Sheridan appeared in the Season 3 episode titled War Zone, which originally aired during the show’s nine-season run from 1993 to 2001. In the episode, series lead Cordell Walker and his team investigate violent bank robberies carried out by suspects dressed as clowns. Sheridan portrayed Vernon, a local drag racer who becomes involved in a high-speed car chase with Walker at the start of the episode. Despite limited screen time, his performance established the reckless demeanor required for a speed racer fleeing law enforcement.

Working With Chuck Norris on Set

Following the death of Chuck Norris in early 2026 at age 86, Sheridan reflected on sharing the screen with the action icon during his first Hollywood job. I met Chuck on my first acting job. He remains one of the kindest and humblest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting and working with, Sheridan told People in a published statement. The filmmaker previously recounted a 2019 interview with The New York Times where he noted that Norris lived up to his tough-guy reputation in real-life altercations on set.

You know all the Chuck Norris jokes? He actually does just beat up people with his fists.

Taylor Sheridan

Transition From Acting to Western Storytelling

The role on Walker, Texas Ranger gave Sheridan an early introduction to the conventions of Western and action storytelling that later influenced his career behind the camera. After his acting stints, he shifted to writing feature films, penning Sicario in 2015 and Hell or High Water in 2016. He subsequently leveraged that background to create modern television staples including Yellowstone, Lioness, and Landman.