Chuck Norris’ last star Vanilla Ice remembers action icon as ‘American hero’
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Vanilla Ice is mourning the loss of its late star Chuck Norris, who died at the age of 86 on March 19.
The 58-year-old rapper, singer and actor, born Robert Van Winkle, has teamed up with Norris in the upcoming comedy film “Zombie Plane.”
In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, the “Ice Ice Baby” hitmaker recalled working with Norris on what would be the star’s final film.
“What a myth,” he said. “And you know to have him at 86 years old in a movie with us and full in there, man, like he’s still going to kick our a–!”
Vanilla Ice is remembering his late “Zombie Plane” co-star Chuck Norris following the star’s death. (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
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“You’re America’s bada–,” Vanilla Ice continued. “We all knew his wasn’t just Hollywood fluff. He was a real person. This guy could put a whip foot a– on you and send you down, man, some kind of scissors or something, and you wouldn’t see it coming. And he was always in a good mood.”
“I mean this guy was just – if you want to compare someone else’s life, this guy is amazing,” he added. “He’s definitely one of the true American heroes out there and he’s definitely one of mine.”
Vanilla Ice shared his initial reaction to the news of Chuck Norris’ death, noting that it immediately brought back a wave of memories.
WATCH: VANILLA ICE SAYS HIS ‘ZOMBIE PLANE’ KNOWN LATE CHUCK NORRIS ‘WILL STILL KICK OUR A–‘ IN ’86
“I found out about Chuck’s passing today, man, it was a sad time,” he said. “This guy was a legend. But, wow, you know, any time a legend goes like that, you just think back to all the movies. The first one is obviously the most famous, ‘Way of the Dragon’ with Bruce Lee. You can go all the way through the ’80s with ‘Delta Force,’ and, I don’t know, ‘Long Time.’
“I think it’s the last film he made about me, before it even came out,” he continued. “And that hit me hard. So I’ve talked to a lot of people in the game and our hearts just dropped because he was a sweetheart, an awesome guy and a legend.”
“We are all very excited to have him in this film,” added Vanilla Ice.
Norris died on March 19 at the age of 86. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)
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The Grammy Award nominee recalled his last conversation with Norris, describing how the former martial artist expressed his excitement about filming “Zombie Plane” and was particularly enthusiastic about the film’s implications.
“Oh man, we were playing because we did a comic about, you know, a zombie plane, so for all the zombie fans out there, there’s a few of them – Chuck Norris is now a member of the zombie family, and it’s amazing,” he said with a smile.
Vanilla Ice recalled telling Norris about “Zombie Plane” during a FaceTime call while the “Jump Around” singer was already filming a movie in Australia.
“I was explaining it to him, and we showed him some clips, and he’s like, ‘Oh heck yeah, that’s cool,'” Vanilla Ice recalled. “Because there’s a lot of whoop a– in there, and he loves that stuff, I mean, why wouldn’t he go? But action is his thing and this was a perfect action movie and for him to be there is such an honor for all of us, man. Even producing with everybody, man, not just me, but you know, to have someone like that, it’s just a legend right there.”
Vanilla Ice said Norris was “an American hero.” (M. Brown/Getty Images)
Vanilla Ice told Fox News Digital that she was thrilled when she first heard that Norris was joining the cast of “Zombie Plane.”
“When I found out he was going to be on the boat — I mean, I was happy right away,” he said. “Whoa, wait a minute, did I hear that right? Don’t make fun of me because he’s one of my American heroes right there.” And what a great honor and surprise and that’s where I was at that. “
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“And I’ve seen his part, and it’s amazing,” Vanilla Ice continued. “I mean the guy has it. He’s all there, and he really crushed it in this role.”
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While speaking with Fox News Digital, Vanilla Ice recalled how surprised she was when she first met Norris years ago at an event in Hollywood, sharing that she had idolized the star when she was growing up.
“I had to see him because I’m a big fan,” said Vanilla Ice. “I didn’t know if he knew who I was but he did. But he was very cool to me, you know what I’m saying, and he was very nice and he just shook my hand and what a great guy.”
He continued, “And you know, you feel a little scared when you’re around someone like that, because you remember as a kid, even before I was born, he was making movies, but all the way.”
The rapper said Norris will always be remembered for his films. (CBS via Getty Images)
“I mean he’s got a lot of movies, and as a kid like me, going into motocross and jumping on skateboards and bikes and always coming home to my mom and having blood or mud or stitches – this guy was our hero,” he added.
“We had Evil Knievel, Chuck Norris, we had Bruce Lee, he was an American hero as well. But you know what I’m saying, Chuck Norris was a man. And for him to fit so many different roles, they all fit him and just, it was him. He always was.”
The plot synopsis of “Zombie Plane,” scheduled for theatrical release in 2027, reads: “When a flight from Sydney to Los Angeles is overrun by zombies, an eclectic crew of passengers – led by celebrities-turned-secret agents – must come together to save humanity.” In the action comedy, both Norris and Vanilla Ice play fictional versions of themselves – elite operatives known as Agent Chuck Norris and Agent Vanilla Ice.
The film also features a great cast including Sophie Monk, Ice-T, Brian Austin Green and Cody Simpson, along with a host of other celebrities.
Vanilla Ice said he was surprised when he met Norris for the first time. (Desiree Navarro/Getty Images)
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Vanilla Ice recalled that he was so eager to see Norris in the film that he begged the producer to send him random clips of his performance.
“‘Don’t be one of those people who say you have to wait until it’s over. Let me see something, man. This is Chuck Norris,'” Vanilla Ice recalled telling the producer.
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“He did it, and he sent me these clips and different clips of him doing it and, oh, what a pro man!” Vanilla Ice said laughing. “For me, seeing him do this and being a part of this movie is amazing.”
WATCH: CHUCK NORRIS’S LAST VANILLA ICE RECALLS HIS LAST CONVERSATION WITH THE NAME OF THE ACTORS BEFORE HIS DEATH AT THE AGE OF 86.
“And I think people will love this as much as zombies,” he continued. “It’s a funny movie. Very few cameos in this movie. And it’s amazing, top to bottom. And I wish it wasn’t his last movie. I wish he had many, many, many more. But I mean, you know, I’ll take it right now for 86 years. I’ll take the contract. I mean, that’s a good life.”
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Reflecting on Norris’ life and lasting legacy, Vanilla Ice said, “It’s sad to see him go, man. But let’s remember him for his movies and what we know about pop culture. And he’s a funny part of American pop culture, in the world, you know? But he’s close to our hearts here.”
“Everyone is mourning a legend today and he will never be forgotten,” he added. “That boy made a mark and made a mark in this world.”
