He’s Happy But He’s Not About To Kick Back

He has a thriving TV series, a new movie and a future bride. No wonder Chuck Norris is all smiles.

The karate instructor-turned-action star traveled here from his Texas digs to hustle the movie, “Top Dog.” It’s a story of a tough San Diego cop and his partner, a police dog just as ornery as its master.

“I had no intention of doing a movie last summer,” said Norris, whose CBS series “Walker, Texas Ranger” occupies most of his year.

Then, his brother, director Aaron Norris, sent the “Top Dog” script, and Chuck’s resolve melted. His only reservation: his co-star.

“I’d done little scenes with dogs, and it’s not fun,” he admitted.

“In ‘Lone Wolf McQuade,’ I had a Malamute that I was supposed to have a relationship with. I tried to get the dog to lick me, but he didn’t want to do anything. I tried to grab him around the neck and hug him. I almost got my face bitten off.”

Fortunately, Reno, a 90-pound Briard, proved to be a real pro.

Norris marveled at the French hunting dog’s skill: “We would run across a square and he would hit his mark every time. I thought, ‘How the devil does he do that? I’m looking for mine.”’

Norris was talking in his manager’s penthouse office in downtown Beverly Hills, accompanied by his fiancee, beautiful blonde interior designer Monica Hall.

She is 25; he is in his mid-50s.

“I’m getting married next year - August 10th,” Norris said. “That’s what she wanted. I got divorced six years ago, and it was really tough. So I kept going to my best friend’s house, who was living with her sister. I didn’t think I wanted a relationship, but I started taking the three of them out, and it happened. We’ve been together two years now.”