Pat Morita Passes Away at 73

Pavan · 11-25-2005, 09:53 AM

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.

Pavan · 11-25-2005, 10:20 AM

We have a little tribute today for him on the blog:
http://sitcomsonline.blogspot.com/

Zoneboy · 11-25-2005, 10:25 AM

I posted this info but my obit was deleted, I guess I just wasn't fast enough.

R.I.P. Pat

gilligan fanatic · 11-25-2005, 10:28 AM

RIP Pat Morita

I also liked him as A-Chu on Sanford and Son for the little bit he was on it. I wonder if now we might be able to see Mr T and Tina.

Brian Damage · 11-25-2005, 10:31 AM

PrettyinPink55 · 11-25-2005, 10:34 AM

That's so sad! May he rest in peace.

TV DVD Fan · 11-25-2005, 10:40 AM

Another great person dead. I'm just dismayed at all this news lately. Enough is enough, I mean.

Rest in peace, Mr. Morita.

Pat

robyrob · 11-25-2005, 10:57 AM

Rest in peace, Pat Morita.

ponytail · 11-25-2005, 11:07 AM

73 is too young. He had a quite a life. Goodbye Pat.

TheGreatPretender · 11-25-2005, 11:28 AM

RIP Arnold.

Cactus Jack · 11-25-2005, 12:13 PM

RIP Pat Arnold was AWESOME

McFly121 · 11-25-2005, 01:12 PM

My condolonces to the HD community. I'm not an HD fan but a huge Pat Morita one. Mr. Miyagi will forever be an iconic film figure forever, thanks to Pat's awesome abilities.

RIP Mr. Morita, you were awesome.

Smurf · 11-25-2005, 01:26 PM

RIP Arnold........

Ireneparalegal · 11-25-2005, 01:27 PM

I tried to find a pic of him and his wife, Evelyn Guerrero. No luck, but I did find one of her.
BTW, his wife Evelyn was the girl prominently featured in the Cheech & Chong movies. She also appeared in Playboy. She loved him very much and they made such a beautiful couple. May he rest in peace. He was such a wonderful and funny man.

ZKS · 11-25-2005, 01:55 PM

RIP Pat, you were a truly amazing actor, and you'll be forever missed

11-25-2005, 09:53 AM	#1
Pavan Administrator Forum Veteran SO News/Reviews Director Join Date: Feb 17, 2000 Location: Linden, NJ (Where Hal Linden got his last name from!) Posts: 21,129	Pat Morita Passes Away at 73 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. __________________ Pß - Jack's Bistro - Three's Company Page and 8 Simple Rules Page SitcomsOnline.com News Blog -- The best news out there! SitcomsOnline.com DVD Reviews -- We are #1 in reviews!

11-25-2005, 10:25 AM	#3
Zoneboy Moderator Forum Veteran Rod Serling Fan Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: The Twilight Gallery or The Night Zone, Take Your Pick. Posts: 12,169	I posted this info but my obit was deleted, I guess I just wasn't fast enough. R.I.P. Pat __________________ Somewhere between the greed for money and sound judgment, the legends of country music were tossed aside for the outlandish sound they call country music today.

11-25-2005, 10:28 AM	#4
gilligan fanatic Senior Member Gomer's Buddies Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: down by the Lagoon Posts: 8,299	RIP Pat Morita I also liked him as A-Chu on Sanford and Son for the little bit he was on it. I wonder if now we might be able to see Mr T and Tina. __________________ Matt GF's collection is closer than ever to being complete. Just 1 or 2 more specials left and then I have everything GI related. Have List ~ DVD Collection ~ Game Collection

11-25-2005, 10:31 AM	#5
Brian Damage Moderator Forum Celebrity Super Milf...This Fall on ABC Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: Someplace playing footsie with Patty Posts: 46,818	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3

11-25-2005, 10:34 AM	#6
PrettyinPink55 Forum Veteran Don't Stop Believin'... Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 22,841	That's so sad! May he rest in peace. __________________ FOREVERWOOD FOREVER A GILMORE GIRL! ♥♥~PIP~♥♥

11-25-2005, 10:20 AM	#2
Pavan Administrator Forum Veteran SO News/Reviews Director Join Date: Feb 17, 2000 Location: Linden, NJ (Where Hal Linden got his last name from!) Posts: 21,129	We have a little tribute today for him on the blog: http://sitcomsonline.blogspot.com/

11-25-2005, 10:40 AM	#7
TV DVD Fan Senior Member Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2005 Posts: 2,453	Another great person dead. I'm just dismayed at all this news lately. Enough is enough, I mean. Rest in peace, Mr. Morita. Pat

11-25-2005, 10:57 AM	#8
robyrob Moderator Forum Celebrity certified wackball#3 Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 45,573	Rest in peace, Pat Morita. __________________ * firefox * AdAware * HiJackThis * CoolWebShredder * Spybot * SpywareBlaster * Spyware Terminator * * SpywareinfoForums * AVG * AntiVir * Avast antivirus * Housecall Online * Sysinternals Security Utilities * * ZoneAlarm * Agnitum-firewall * Comodo Firewall * AVG Anti-Rootkit * RootkitRevealer * ParasiteCheck * * Annoyances * FreeCodecs * Mikes-Hosts-File * GRC.com * MSAntispyware * DVD's * TradeList * myspace *

11-25-2005, 11:07 AM	#9
ponytail Senior Member Member Join Date: Mar 20, 2004 Location: In The Good Ol' USA! Posts: 1,733	73 is too young. He had a quite a life. Goodbye Pat.

11-25-2005, 11:28 AM	#10
TheGreatPretender Senior Member just because Join Date: May 22, 2004 Location: Trying to think of a creative, witty location. Posts: 7,568	RIP Arnold. __________________ Peace is a good thing and so is salmon when it's smoked

11-25-2005, 12:13 PM	#11
Cactus Jack Forum Idol SUPERBAD Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 100,787	RIP Pat Arnold was AWESOME __________________ SNL SEASON PREMIERE: Megan fox/U2 9/26/09 SNL Weekend Update Thursday 9/24 -10/8/09 Jack's MySpace My DVD Collection April 17,2009 9:02 PM : 100,000th post! [b] [

11-25-2005, 01:12 PM	#12
McFly121 Forum Regular Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2004 Location: calif Posts: 760	My condolonces to the HD community. I'm not an HD fan but a huge Pat Morita one. Mr. Miyagi will forever be an iconic film figure forever, thanks to Pat's awesome abilities. RIP Mr. Morita, you were awesome. __________________ "That was Bob's donut!"

11-25-2005, 01:26 PM	#13
Smurf Occasional Poster Member Join Date: Sep 23, 2005 Location: London Posts: 21	RIP Arnold........

11-25-2005, 01:27 PM	#14
Ireneparalegal Forum Celebrity LEGAL SPICE ;) Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,550	I tried to find a pic of him and his wife, Evelyn Guerrero. No luck, but I did find one of her. BTW, his wife Evelyn was the girl prominently featured in the Cheech & Chong movies. She also appeared in Playboy. She loved him very much and they made such a beautiful couple. May he rest in peace. He was such a wonderful and funny man. Attached Images __________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

11-25-2005, 01:55 PM	#15
ZKS Moderator Forum Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Location: Watching The Big Bang Theory Posts: 20,159	RIP Pat, you were a truly amazing actor, and you'll be forever missed

News Ticker
Loading...

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search