'Karate Kid’ star Pat Morita dies

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‘Karate Kid’ star Pat Morita dies at 73
Wife says late actor ‘dedicated his entire life to acting and comedy’

The Associated Press
Updated: 11:18 a.m. ET Nov. 25, 2005
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LOS ANGELES - Actor Pat Morita, whose portrayal of the wise and dry-witted Mr. Miyagi in "The Karate Kid" earned him an Oscar nomination, has died. He was 73.

Morita died Thursday at his home in Las Vegas of natural causes, said his wife of 12 years, Evelyn. She said in a statement that her husband, who first rose to fame with a role on "Happy Days," had "dedicated his entire life to acting and comedy."

In 1984, he appeared in the role that would define his career and spawn countless affectionate imitations. As Kesuke Miyagi, the mentor to Ralph Macchio's "Daniel-san," he taught karate while trying to catch flies with chopsticks and offering such advice as "wax on, wax off" to guide Daniel through chores to improve his skills.

Morita said in a 1986 interview with The Associated Press he was billed as Noriyuki "Pat" Morita in the film because producer Jerry Weintraub wanted him to sound more ethnic. He said he used the billing because it was "the only name my parents gave me."

He lost the 1984 best supporting actor award to Haing S. Ngor, who appeared in "The Killing Fields."

For years, Morita played small and sometimes demeaning roles in such films as "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and TV series such as "The Odd Couple" and "Green Acres." His first breakthrough came with "Happy Days," and he followed with his own brief series, "Mr. T and Tina."

"The Karate Kid," led to three sequels, the last of which, 1994's "The Next Karate Kid," paired him with a young Hilary Swank.

Morita was prolific outside of the "Karate Kid" series as well, appearing in "Honeymoon in Vegas," "Spy Hard," "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" and "The Center of the World." He also provided the voice for a character in the Disney movie "Mulan" in 1998.

Born in northern California on June 28, 1932, the son of migrant fruit pickers, Morita spent most of his early years in the hospital with spinal tuberculosis. He later recovered only to be sent to a Japanese-American internment camp in Arizona during World War II.

"One day I was an invalid," he recalled in a 1989 AP interview. "The next day I was public enemy No. 1 being escorted to an internment camp by an FBI agent wearing a piece."

After the war, Morita's family tried to repair their finances by operating a Sacramento restaurant. It was there that Morita first tried his comedy on patrons.

Because prospects for a Japanese-American standup comic seemed poor, Morita found steady work in computers at Aerojet General. But at age 30 he entered show business full time.

"Only in America could you get away with the kind of comedy I did," he commented. "If I tried it in Japan before the war, it would have been considered blasphemy, and I would have ended in leg irons. "

Morita was to be buried at Palm Green Valley Mortuary and Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife and three daughters from a previous marriage.

Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

© 2005 MSNBC.com

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10202732/

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how sad ! i loved his sense of humor in some movies
 
Awww already he is passed away??? :( I used to watched his show when he was on the movie star show :(
 
Awww, such a shame; I'd always liked him; he lived a good long life, tho. RIP, Mr. Morita!
 
"Wax on" "Wax off" & the catching of flies with the chopsticks trick and his dry wit was the piece de resistance of why I loved watching "Karate Kid".

RIP Pat Morita. :sadwave:
 
Cookie Monster said:
"Wax on" "Wax off" & the catching of flies with the chopsticks trick and his dry wit was the piece de resistance of why I loved watching "Karate Kid".

RIP Pat Morita. :sadwave:


Agreed. That scene instantly became a classic and also became a part of Pop Culture.
 
Awww. :( I remember him in The Karate Kid movies. Rest in peace, Pat Morita!
 
RITCount said:
Agreed. That scene instantly became a classic and also became a part of Pop Culture.

Remember the battle of skills as well? Daniel, a thin and tall person, was taught to use his skills effeciently against a very brute and tall bully. It was also a classic icon movie for people that could identify with characters in Karate Kid.
 
I think he played on TV's "Happy Days" (the first owner of that 1950s resturant)...but yes, I remember him playing on the movie "The Karate Kid". Sorry to hear he passed away - RIP.
 
Nancy said:
I think he played on TV's "Happy Days" (the first owner of that 1950s resturant)...but yes, I remember him playing on the movie "The Karate Kid". Sorry to hear he passed away - RIP.

Yes he was on Happy Days. :)
 
Banjo said:
Yes he was on Happy Days. :)

I thought so, because I remember him playing the owner of the restuarant that Ritchie Cunningham and Fonzie had hung out (before they changed the restuarant to a county western theme later in the show)...when the show first ran. :) Later, he left and this other guy took his place as the owner. I was a kid then and I can't believe I remember him that far back before he even starred in the Karate Kid movies. LOL
 
Awwww I can't believe he is gone. :( Rest in peace Pat! You'll be missed!
 
I love him, he play over 100 movies plus over at least 70 tv shows (guest starring). I love watch him on happy days, and on Mash (he did 2 shows on mash).

Let you know he recently finish play in 2 movies (post production) that will be release soon and other movie is currently filming (which I am sure they may have to replace him:

Princess (2006) (filming) .... Guard
American Fusion (2006) (post-production) .... Lao Dong
Angst (2006) (post-production) .... Tom

what break my heart is that he died on thanksgiving day. surely it a bad timing for his family.
 
its sad, i thought he older than that, well hes a good actor.. did watched him in those movies.. RIP :(
 
I was :eek: to learn about his passing today. He's going to be missed. RIP Pat Morita. :(
 
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