The first, “Hero and the Terror” from 1988, features Norris as Los Angeles cop Danny O’Brien, who is once again on the trail of a serial killer he once incarcerated, played by Jack O’Halloran. The second, “Top Dog” from 1995, capitalized on the trend of buddy cop films with a canine twist, positioning Norris alongside a furry partner to tackle a spate of bombings.

“Top Dog” effectively ended Norris’ era as a leading man in theaters, relegating his subsequent projects to direct-to-DVD and VHS releases. His last significant theatrical role came in 2003 with “The Bells of Innocence,” which only saw a limited release. He later reappeared in cinemas through cameos and smaller roles in films like “The Expendables Part 2” and “Dodgeball.” His final cinematic outing, “Zombie Plane,” was released posthumously.

Despite their poor reception, “Hero and the Terror” and “Top Dog” hold a unique place in Norris’ film legacy. “Hero and the Terror” was an attempt to showcase a different side of Norris — that of a romantic lead and expectant father, dealing with personal struggles while still delivering the action his fans expected. This role allowed Norris to explore emotions like fear and vulnerability, a departure from his usual stoic characters.

“Top Dog’s” release was unfortunately overshadowed by the tragic timing of the Oklahoma City bombing, debuting just nine days later and opening at a lackluster eighth place. Given its plot involving a bomb investigation, it struggled to find an audience amid a national tragedy. While Norris’ martial arts prowess will always be celebrated, these films are likely to be overshadowed by his more memorable works.

“The success of the film is contingent on how reviewers, the media and the audience take to it,” he told the Sun Sentinel at the time. “I liked seeing not just the man in the arena or the fighting machine you see in many of my films, but to see the man outside the arena — the guy who also has relationships.” O’Brien is a notable role for Norris: he’s allowed to express fear, doubt, and affection in a way many of his characters don’t get to. While critics like Roger Ebert applauded Norris for trying to broaden his range, the film didn’t perform in its wide release, sending him back to the comfortable arms of his typical action parts. Between its box office performance and critical footprint, it remains one of Norris’ worst movies.

The release of “Top Dog,” meanwhile, was marred by a national tragedy. It came out nine days after the Oklahoma City bombing, opening in eighth place at the box office. Since the film involves Norris’ character and his canine companion hunting for explosives, Americans might have understandably been turned off. While Norris will always be remembered for his high-kicking ways, it’s probably best that these two flicks are long forgotten.