Pat Morita Passes Away at 73 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Pavan · 11-25-2005, 10:53 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, 11:20 AM

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

Zoneboy · 11-25-2005, 11:25 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, 11:28 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, 11:31 AM

PrettyinPink55 · 11-25-2005, 11:34 AM

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

TV DVD Fan · 11-25-2005, 11:40 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, 11:57 AM

Rest in peace, Pat Morita.

ponytail · 11-25-2005, 12:07 PM

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

TheGreatPretender · 11-25-2005, 12:28 PM

RIP Arnold.

Cactus Jack · 11-25-2005, 01:13 PM

RIP Pat Arnold was AWESOME

McFly121 · 11-25-2005, 02:12 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, 02:26 PM

RIP Arnold........

Ireneparalegal · 11-25-2005, 02:27 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.

spunkygirl · 11-25-2005, 02:55 PM

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

11-25-2005, 10:53 AM	#1
Pavan SO News/Reviews Director Administrator Forum Superstar Join Date: Feb 17, 2000 Location: Linden, NJ (Where Hal Linden got his last name from!) Posts: 26,821	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.
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11-25-2005, 11:25 AM	#3
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,375	I posted this info but my obit was deleted, I guess I just wasn't fast enough. R.I.P. Pat
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11-25-2005, 11:28 AM	#4
gilligan fanatic Born to Be Bad Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: down by the Lagoon Posts: 9,954	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.
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11-25-2005, 11:31 AM	#5
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107
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11-25-2005, 11:34 AM	#6
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	That's so sad! May he rest in peace.
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11-25-2005, 11:20 AM	#2
Pavan SO News/Reviews Director Administrator Forum Superstar Join Date: Feb 17, 2000 Location: Linden, NJ (Where Hal Linden got his last name from!) Posts: 26,821	We have a little tribute today for him on the blog: http://sitcomsonline.blogspot.com/

11-25-2005, 11:40 AM	#7
TV DVD Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2005 Posts: 2,602	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, 11:57 AM	#8
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,185	Rest in peace, Pat Morita.
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11-25-2005, 12:07 PM	#9
ponytail Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 20, 2004 Location: In Happy, Healthy, Wealthyville Posts: 4,273	73 is too young. He had a quite a life. Goodbye Pat.

11-25-2005, 12:28 PM	#10
TheGreatPretender just because Forum Veteran Join Date: May 22, 2004 Location: Trying to think of a creative, witty location. Posts: 7,628	RIP Arnold.
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11-25-2005, 01:13 PM	#11
Cactus Jack RonFingSwanson Forum Idol Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 103,099	RIP Pat Arnold was AWESOME
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11-25-2005, 02:12 PM	#12
McFly121 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 18, 2004 Location: calif Posts: 812	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.
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11-25-2005, 02:26 PM	#13
Smurf Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 23, 2005 Location: London Posts: 23	RIP Arnold........

11-25-2005, 02:27 PM	#14
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	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
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11-25-2005, 02:55 PM	#15
spunkygirl Member Moderator Forum Celebrity Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 21,563	RIP Pat, you were a truly amazing actor, and you'll be forever missed