Oklahoma native Norris to quit TV show to make more movies and have more personal time

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Chuck Norris plans to walk away from "Walker, Texas Ranger" after eight seasons of the CBS action series.<br><p align="justify">The TV show, which stars Norris as a tough Texas lawman,

Tuesday, January 9th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Chuck Norris plans to walk away from "Walker, Texas Ranger" after eight seasons of the CBS action series.

The TV show, which stars Norris as a tough Texas lawman, will officially end its run in May with a two-hour finale.

The 60-year-old actor, who grew up in Wilson in southern Oklahoma, said he decided to quit television so he could focus on making movies again and enjoy more personal time.

"Being the executive producer and the lead doesn't give you much time for a life," Norris said in an interview in Monday's Los Angeles Times.

The series averages a respectable 10.2 million viewers, but ratings have steadily declined over the years.

"You always want to try to quit as a winner," Norris said. "I feel very blessed that we've done eight years."