Such establishment Republicans as Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell have shown up in South Carolina to endorse Mitt Romney in closing days of the Palmetto State’s presidential primary.

But one late endorser is bringing fight to the Newt Gingrich campaign.

Action hero Chuck Norris said Friday he is supporting ex-House Speaker Gingrich, who hopes to derail frontrunner Romney on Saturday. Norris was a big Mike Huckabee supporter in the 2008 GOP race.

Gingrich is “the best man left on the battlefield” to do battle with President Obama in November, said Norris, who added (using the imperial “we”):

“We believe Newt’s experience, leadership, knowledge, wisdom, faith and even humility to learn from his failures (personal and public) can return America to her glory days.”

And Gingrich responded in a Tweet, saying of Norris: “He will make an excellent Secretary of Attack.”

Candidate surrogates can give leaden speeches, but sometimes add magic to a rising campaign. Oprah Winfrey did as much for Barack Obama in Iowa four years ago, and Bruce Springsteen livened closing campaign appearances for Obama in 2008 and Sen. John Kerry in 2004. Republicans have largely drawn celebrities from yesteryear.