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.

EmoJoe · 11-25-2005, 11:09 AM

RIP

¤I Love Clay Aiken¤ · 11-25-2005, 11:18 AM

Nooooooooo. I love Happy Days. Im sad now.

Pavan · 11-25-2005, 11:21 AM

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

Brian Damage · 11-25-2005, 11:32 AM

swedeace · 11-25-2005, 11:39 AM

Ohhh... that's sad. RIP, Pat.

robyrob · 11-25-2005, 11:55 AM

R.I.P. Pat Morita - Arnold was my favorite character on Happy Days

Kay Scarpetta · 11-25-2005, 12:10 PM

Oh my God- Anyone remember the movie 'Babes in Toyland'? It starred him and a young Drew Barrymore. I used to watch that movie religiously.

RIP. You will be missed

Mr. Television · 11-25-2005, 12:14 PM

OMG R.I.P. Pat. I loved you in Happy Days and you'll never be forgotten.

Dutabi84 · 11-25-2005, 12:22 PM

Awww. I liked those Karate Kid movies when I was a kid.

TheGreatPretender · 11-25-2005, 12:23 PM

OMG I can't believe it.

I loved him in Happy Days and the Karate Kid series. RIP Pat.

The Chauffeur · 11-25-2005, 12:23 PM

Awwww. That is so sad. Rest in peace, Pat.

Cactus Jack · 11-25-2005, 01:28 PM

RIP Pat You were a HILARIOUS Arnold

ABlairican Pie · 11-25-2005, 02:25 PM

Bye Arnold/Mr. Miyagi.

We loved your burgers at Arnold's, and you will be forever immortalized by the words:

WAX ON!! WAX OFF!! WAX ON!! WAX OFF!!

Me and my friends loved Karate Kid when it came out.

Skywalker · 11-25-2005, 03:16 PM

This is terrible news.

Pat Morita was one of my favorite actors. The Karate Kid is one of my favorite movies and I thought he was really good in Collision Course (a very underated movie which also starred Jay Leno). R.I.P. Pat.

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, 11:09 AM	#2
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	RIP
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11-25-2005, 11:18 AM	#3
¤I Love Clay Aiken¤ MISS APRIL Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 19, 2001 Location: Parsonsfield ME Shaws - Screwing my way up the employment ladder! Posts: 68,780	Nooooooooo. I love Happy Days. Im sad now.
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11-25-2005, 11:32 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, 11:55 AM	#7
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,203	R.I.P. Pat Morita - Arnold was my favorite character on Happy Days
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11-25-2005, 11:21 AM	#4
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, 11:39 AM	#6
swedeace Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 22, 2003 Posts: 9,009	Ohhh... that's sad. RIP, Pat.

11-25-2005, 12:10 PM	#8
Kay Scarpetta Defy Gravity 8.26.05 Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 04, 2001 Location: La Vie Boheme Posts: 28,013	Oh my God- Anyone remember the movie 'Babes in Toyland'? It starred him and a young Drew Barrymore. I used to watch that movie religiously. RIP. You will be missed
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11-25-2005, 12:14 PM	#9
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	OMG R.I.P. Pat. I loved you in Happy Days and you'll never be forgotten.
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11-25-2005, 12:22 PM	#10
Dutabi84 kittens must die Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 22, 2003 Location: MN/TX Posts: 11,026	Awww. I liked those Karate Kid movies when I was a kid.

11-25-2005, 12:23 PM	#11
TheGreatPretender just because Forum Veteran Join Date: May 22, 2004 Location: Trying to think of a creative, witty location. Posts: 7,628	OMG I can't believe it. I loved him in Happy Days and the Karate Kid series. RIP Pat.
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11-25-2005, 12:23 PM	#12
The Chauffeur Good Evening... Senior Member Join Date: Jan 24, 2005 Location: Under the sun Posts: 2,866	Awwww. That is so sad. Rest in peace, Pat.
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11-25-2005, 01:28 PM	#13
Cactus Jack RonFingSwanson Forum Idol Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 103,099	RIP Pat You were a HILARIOUS Arnold
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11-25-2005, 02:25 PM	#14
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,619	Bye Arnold/Mr. Miyagi. We loved your burgers at Arnold's, and you will be forever immortalized by the words: WAX ON!! WAX OFF!! WAX ON!! WAX OFF!! Me and my friends loved Karate Kid when it came out.
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11-25-2005, 03:16 PM	#15
Skywalker Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 14,204	This is terrible news. Pat Morita was one of my favorite actors. The Karate Kid is one of my favorite movies and I thought he was really good in Collision Course (a very underated movie which also starred Jay Leno). R.I.P. Pat.