Bearded and muscled, Norris shot to fame fighting kung fu legend Bruce Lee in the 1972 film The Way of the Dragon, and later films show him devastating groups of men with one kick.

“Norris visited Iraq when violence was its worst and other celebrities were skittish. He’s one of the guys,” US military public affairs officer Specialist Mark Braden said in Baghdad.

“The Marines love him. He’s like a mythical legend,” Staff Sergeant Amy Forsythe in Falluja said.

Soldiers cited many reasons for his appeal. Some appreciated his films and fighting ability — Norris is a martial arts guru, and many of his films have military themes.

Others said the masculine and plainly dressed actor was an antidote to the preening and moisturised metrosexual male.

Some praised his Christian and political values. The actor recently endorsed Republican Party presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee, though in the spirit of the Norris “facts”, Marines argued it was Huckabee who endorsed Norris.

“He’s helped us a lot. The appeal is also his martial arts, and sheer physical presence . . . I don’t think I go a day without hearing a Norris joke,” said Corporal Ricardo Jones in Falluja. Norris’ appeal is not restricted to US troops either. At an Iraqi police graduation ceremony in Falluja, graduates called out for their “Chuck Norris”, Mohammed Rasheed, to pose for photos.

“I didn’t know who he was. I asked the Americans, and they said he was a great fighter, and that’s why they named me after him. They showed me a video, and it’s true, he’s a great fighter” said police trainer Mohammed Rasheed, who bears a resemblance to the star.