Ken Norton was an American actor who is best known for Mandingo, Drum, and Dirty Work. He was also a notable professional boxer, recognized for his significant achievements in the ring.
Personal and Family Life
Norton was born on August 9, 1943, in Jacksonville, Illinois. He had three marriages: first to Jeannette Brinson from 1966 to 1968, with whom he had one child; then to Jacqueline Halton from 1977 until 2000, with two children; and lastly to Rose Conant, whom he married on April 25, 2012, shortly before his death. He balanced his personal life with his flourishing career in sports and acting.
Career
Norton gained fame not just as an actor but also as a boxer. He made headlines on March 31, 1973, when he achieved a shocking victory over Muhammad Ali, breaking Ali’s jaw during the match. Throughout his boxing career, he faced notable opponents such as George Foreman and Joe Frazier, and was the World Boxing Council heavyweight champion in 1978.
Death and Legacy
Ken Norton passed away on September 18, 2013, in Henderson, Nevada, due to congestive heart failure. His legacy endures as both a skilled boxer and an actor, leaving a significant impact on both fields.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Mandingo | 1975-06-06 | Mede (Ganymede) |
| The Man Who Came Back | 2008-02-08 | Grandpa |
| Champions Forever – World Heavyweight Champs! | 2000-05-17 | Himself |
| Drum | 1976-07-30 | Drum |
| Oceans of Fire | 1986-09-16 | Chief |
| Kiss and Be Killed | 1991-01-01 | Gabe |
| Delta Pi | 1984-04-01 | Branscombe |
| Facing Ali | 2009-05-29 | Self |
| Champions Forever | 1989-11-01 | Self |
| Dirty Work | 1998-06-12 | Self |
| Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier II | 1974-01-28 | Self |
| Larry Holmes vs. David Bey | 1985-03-15 | (Archive Footage) |
| Muhammad and Larry | 2009-10-27 | Himself (archive footage) |
| The A-Team | 1983-01-23 | Jackhammer Jackson |
| Knight Rider | 1982-09-26 | Bo Keeler |
| Cover Up | 1984-09-22 | |
| The Next Great Champ | 2004-09-07 | |
| Das aktuelle Sportstudio | 1963-08-24 | self |