Ken Norton
Biography
Ken Norton was an American heavyweight boxer who fought professionally from 1967 to 1981 and later acted in films. Born in Jacksonville, Illinois, he took up boxing in the Marine Corps and turned professional after winning amateur titles. His big break came against Muhammad Ali, whom he beat by split decision in 1973; Ali took the next two meetings, the last on a disputed unanimous decision. Norton was awarded the WBC heavyweight title in 1978 and lost it that same year to Larry Holmes, also by split decision. He retired in 1981 and entered the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992. He made his acting debut in Mandingo (1975), starred in its sequel Drum (1976), and appeared in Champions Forever (1989); after boxing he also worked as a television commentator.
70years old at death
- Born Jacksonville
- Died Las Vegas
- Star sign: LeoThe sign runs July 23 to August 22
- Also credited as Kenneth Howard Norton
Movie Career
- Films
- 4
- Career span
- 23 years1975 to 1998
Every film, newest first
- 1998Dirty WorkIMDb rating 6.4
- 1989Champions ForeverIMDb rating 8.0
- 1976DrumIMDb rating 5.5
- 1975MandingoIMDb rating 6.5
Genres
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A first
On March 18, 1978, the WBC made Norton's win over Young from the year before a title fight and gave him their championship. This split the heavyweight title for the first time since the early 1970s.
First role
Norton's first acting role came in 1975, while he was still at the peak of his boxing career. He starred in Mandingo, a Dino De Laurentiis blaxploitation film about a slave bought before the Civil War to fight other slaves.
A first
Norton was entered in eight events by his high school track coach, and he finished first in seven of them. Illinois high school sports then created the Ken Norton Rule, capping an athlete at four track and field events.
A change of course
Norton took up boxing while serving in the United States Marines Corps from 1963 to 1967, compiling a 24-2 record and winning three all-Marine heavyweight titles.
Behind the camera
After he retired from boxing, Norton became an actor and a TV boxing commentator. He also started the Ken Norton Management Co., which handled contract negotiations for athletes.
Ken Norton movies on Netflix
Worked with
Ken Norton shares two films with Brenda Sykes, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Christopher McDonald's page
James Mason's page
David Koechner's page
Chevy Chase's page
All films by Bob Saget
All films by Richard Fleischer
Burt KennedyDirector, 1 film, 1976
All films by Burt Kennedy
Awards
Three awards and honors from 1977 to 1992.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 1992 | International Boxing Hall of Fame | Won | |
| 1978 | WBC World Heavyweight Champion | Won | |
| 1977 | Sugar Ray Robinson Award | Won | |
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.