Walker, Texas Ranger
Is an American action television series created by Leslie Greif and Paul Haggis. It was inspired by the film Lone Wolf McQuade, with both this series and that film starring Chuck Norris as a member of the Texas Ranger Division.
The show aired on CBS in the spring of 1993, with the first season consisting of three pilot episodes. Eight full seasons followed with new episodes airing from September 25, 1993, to May 19, 2001, and reruns continuing on CBS until July 28, 2001.
It has been broadcast in over 100 countries.
The series was noted for its moralistic style. The characters refrained from the use of drugs, and they participated in community service. Martial arts were displayed prominently as the primary tool of law enforcement and occasionally as a tool for Walker and company to reach out to the community.
The show is centered on Sergeant Cordell Walker, a Dallas based member of the Texas Rangers, a state-level bureau of investigation.
Walker was raised by his paternal uncle, a Native American named Ray Firewalker.
The surname being, possibly, a nod to the 1986 Norris film, Firewalker. Cordell, prior to joining the Rangers, served in the Marines' elite recon unit during the Vietnam War. Both Cordell and Uncle Ray share the values characteristic of Wild West sheriffs.
His partner and best friend is James "Jimmy" Trivette, a former Dallas Cowboys player, "Go Long Trivette", who takes a more modern approach.
Walker's young partner grew up in Baltimore and used football as his ticket to college education. He was dropped from the team after he tore up his shoulder in a major game, which led to his career in the Rangers. Trivette also works inside the office using computers and cellular phones to collate information of the people who have been taken into custody.
Walker also works closely with Alexandra "Alex" Cahill, a Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney, who on occasion puts up a frown if Walker does not obtain results in time. He also gets advice on cases from C.D. Parker, a veteran Ranger who worked with Walker until retiring to operate a small restaurant and bar called "CD's Bar and Grill", a restaurant widely known in the series for its chili.
Main characters
Chuck Norris as Texas Ranger Sgt. Cordell Walker, a former Marine and a modern-day Ranger who believes in the Code of the Old West. He is a decorated Vietnam vet and a martial arts expert.
Clarence Gilyard as Texas Ranger Sgt. James "Jimmy" Trivette, Walker's partner and best friend.
Sheree J. Wilson as Tarrant County Assistant D.A. Alexandra "Alex" Cahill, whom Walker dates for a few seasons and finally marries.
Noble Willingham as retired Texas Ranger Captain C.D. Parker, Walker's buddy and ex-partner who owns a bar-restaurant in Fort Worth, Texas, and was the only one to address Walker by his first name Cordell regularly.
Nia Peeples as Texas Ranger Sydney "Syd" Cooke, a rookie Ranger.
Judson Mills as Texas Ranger Francis Gage, another rookie Ranger.
Floyd Westerman as Walker's paternal uncle Ray Firewalker, who raised Cordell after his parents were murdered. Ray disappeared at the end of Season 2.