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Pat Morita
Age: 73 (passed away Nov. 24th, 2005)
Height: 5' 3"
Birth Place: Isleton, California, USA
Born: Jun. 28th, 1932
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Pat Morita's Main TV Roles
NOTE: Complete List of Works can be found at
IMDB
BIOGRAPHY: Abundantly busy and much loved Asian-American actor who became an on-screen hero to millions of adults and kids alike as the wise and wonderful Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid (1984), the sparkling Noriyuki Morita was back again dishing out Eastern philosophy and martial arts lessons for The Karate Kid, Part II (1986) and The Karate Kid, Part III (1989), and even for The Next Karate Kid (1994).
However, putting all that karate aside, the diminutive Morita actually first started out as a stand-up comedian known as "The Hip Nip" in nightclubs and bars, and made his first on-screen appearance in Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967). He quickly adapted to the screen and showed up in small parts in such comedies as The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968), alongside Don Knotts, and in Evil Roy Slade (1972) (TV) supporting John Astin. He also appeared in such popular series as "Sanford and Son" (1972) and "M*A*S*H" (1972).
Morita got his next break playing the often-perplexed restaurant owner Arnold in two episodes of the hugely popular "Happy Days" (1974) between 1975 and 1976 and again between 1982 and 1983. Morita was quite in demand on the small screen and also scored the lead in his own cop show, "Ohara" (1987), and guest-starred on other high-profile TV shows including "Magnum, P.I." (1980), "Murder, She Wrote" (1984), "Baywatch" (1989) and "The Hughleys" (1998).
Although most often used as a minor character actor, he remained consistently busy and occasionally lent his vocal talents to animated features such as Mulan (1998). However, his real strengths lay in portraying slightly oddball or unusual characters in offbeat films. He died of natural causes at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, NV, in November 2005, at the age of 73.
TRIVIA:
- Diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis as a child and was told that he would never walk.
- Was the first American-born Asian nominated for an acting Oscar. It was for his role of Mr. Miyagi in _The Karate Kid (1984)_ (qv).
- During his funeral procession, his former co-star 'Ralph Macchio' (qv) of _The Karate Kid (1984)_ (qv) quoted, "Forever, my Sensei" towards the mourners.
- His real accent is American, when playing "Mr. Miyagi" in the Karate Kid movies, he used a faux Japanese accent.
- Was the subject of a popular Internet myth, that he owned a Japanese-style restaurant called Miyagi's on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California. However, according to Morita himself in an about.com interview, this was just a myth and he had nothing to do with the restaurant.
- Last movie ever filmed is _Royal Kill (2009)_ (qv) (working title: Princess) also starring 'Eric Roberts (I)' (qv) and 'Lalaine' (qv).
- Graduated from Armijo High School in Fairfield, California.
- Was often billed as the Hip Nip for his stand-up performances.
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