Pat Morita Dies At 73 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 11-25-2005, 11:31 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.

80s_Fan · 11-25-2005, 11:43 AM

Well, another good actor gone but...........will never be forgotten

teddybare · 11-25-2005, 01:35 PM

I just got the very sad news in an email I really liked Ah chew he was one of my favorite characters on S&S.

My favorite episode was of his was the Japanese restaurant Sanford & Rising Sun he was very funny in that one. Another one leaves us way too soon R.I.P. Ah Chew Pat Morita you will be missed

Fred to Lamont & Ah Chew- Gee Whiz you here again you gonna end up catching Yellow Jaundice from Him

Ah Chew replies to Fred- What you got man The Black Plague LOL

SO Games 4 Us · 11-25-2005, 03:40 PM

I will forever remember Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi. I was such a fan of the Karate Kid movies as a kid. He was apart of my childhood growing up. RIP Pat.

glenny · 11-25-2005, 05:12 PM

As Fred would say...
"I guess Chang-tai checked out!"

I wonder if he died of yellow jondus.

teddybare · 11-26-2005, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenny

As Fred would say...
"I guess Chang-tai checked out!"

I wonder if he died of yellow jondus.

Cmon Glenny that wasnt funny the man just died he died of natural causes. Be respectful he was a member of the S&S family which is getting smaller and smaller as time passes by. R.I.P. To all of the S&S cast that have passed away over the yrs

glenny · 11-26-2005, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teddybare

Cmon Glenny that wasnt funny the man just died he died of natural causes. Be respectful he was a member of the S&S family which is getting smaller and smaller as time passes by. R.I.P. To all of the S&S cast that have passed away over the yrs

Maybe he had "sukiaki siezure".

Fred: "You must be the guy who goes to all the restaurants rating them?"

Health Inspector: "No! Im Inspector Logan."

Fred: "HOMOCIDE!!....someone died of sukiaki siezuire!"

moeee · 11-27-2005, 03:35 AM

R.I.P Pat.

mooseface · 11-28-2005, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenny

Maybe he had "sukiaki siezure".

Or he wandered out into "low tide in Long Beach."

Bubba: "What's an oriental express?"
Fred: "I don't know but Ah Chew says it makes you feel loose in the caboose!"

11-25-2005, 11:31 AM	#1
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: 34,462	Pat Morita Dies 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.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads. Last edited by Zoneboy; 11-25-2005 at 03:58 PM.

11-25-2005, 11:43 AM	#2
80s_Fan Healthcare_Clerk Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2004 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 1,697	Another Good Actor Gone Well, another good actor gone but...........will never be forgotten

11-25-2005, 01:35 PM	#3
teddybare Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 13, 2003 Location: Martinsville Virginia Posts: 744	I just got the very sad news in an email I really liked Ah chew he was one of my favorite characters on S&S. My favorite episode was of his was the Japanese restaurant Sanford & Rising Sun he was very funny in that one. Another one leaves us way too soon R.I.P. Ah Chew Pat Morita you will be missed Fred to Lamont & Ah Chew- Gee Whiz you here again you gonna end up catching Yellow Jaundice from Him Ah Chew replies to Fred- What you got man The Black Plague LOL
	__________________ Sanford & Son Fanatic

11-25-2005, 03:40 PM	#4
SO Games 4 Us Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 24, 2004 Posts: 274	I will forever remember Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi. I was such a fan of the Karate Kid movies as a kid. He was apart of my childhood growing up. RIP Pat.

11-25-2005, 05:12 PM	#5
glenny Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 21, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 951	As Fred would say... "I guess Chang-tai checked out!" I wonder if he died of yellow jondus.

11-27-2005, 03:35 AM	#8
moeee Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 31, 2003 Posts: 40,094	R.I.P Pat.