Walker, Texas Ranger Cast & Character Guide

With a Walker, Texas Ranger reboot in the works there’s no better time to take a look back at the cast and characters of the original show. Crime drama Walker, Texas Ranger was the show that made Chuck Norris an action icon long before he became a meme. Inspired by the 1983 action film Lone Wolf McQuade, which also starred Norris, the show focused on Cordell Walker – a moralistic member of the Texas Rangers who believes in dispensing justice the Old West way.

Walker, Texas Ranger ran for nine seasons and more than 200 episodes on CBS between 1993 and 2001 but the show’s legacy doesn’t end there. It spawned a 2005 film Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial By Fire, a series of novels and a short-lived spin-off show titled Sons Of Thunder that focused on a couple of recurring characters from the show. News recently broke that a Walker, Texas Ranger reboot is in the works with Supernatural star Jared Padalecki set to take over Norris’ role.

The rest of the reboot cast has yet to be announced, but Padalecki certainly has some big cowboy boots to fill taking over the reins from Norris. While the reboot pads out its cast, let’s take a look back at the original Walker, Texas Ranger cast and their characters.

Chuck Norris – Cordell Walker

Chuck Norris plays main protagonist Cordell Walker – a Dallas-Fort Worth-based sergeant with the Texas Rangers. As a young man, Walker was orphaned when his parents were murdered and he was raised on a Cherokee reservation by his paternal uncle. This, combined with his past as a Vietnam vet and world champion martial arts expert, has equipped Walker with exceptional fighting, marksman and tracking skills.

Clarence Gilyard – James Trivette

Better known as Jimmy, James Trivette is Walker’s partner. Prior to becoming a Texas Ranger, Jimmy played for the Dallas Cowboys before a shoulder injury ended his football career. He’s played by Clarence Gilyard who also played Hans Gruber’s computer hacker Theo in Die Hard.

Sheree J. Wilson – Alexandra Cahill

Dallas actress Sheree J. Wilson played Alex Cahill – an assistant district attorney who regularly works with Walker and Jimmy. Although they’re initially just friends, Alex and Walker eventually end up together, tie the knot and have a baby.

Noble Willingham – C.D. Parker

Noble Willingham rounds out the main cast of Walker, Texas Ranger in his role as C.D. Parker. A former Texas Ranger, he opened a bar and grill after retiring that is famous for its chili and is where Walker and Co hang out when taking a rare break from fighting crime.