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 . However, his real strengths lay in portraying slightly oddball or unusual characters in offbeat films. He died at age 73 of natural causes at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 24, 2005.
Attended and graduated from Armijo High School in Fairfield, CA.
While performing as a stand-up comic, he was discovered by Redd Foxx. This led to several appearances as Ah Chew on "Sanford and Son" .
Was often billed as the Hip Nip for his stand-up performances.
Was a huge fan of the Green Bay Packers football team.
Diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis as a child and was told that he would never walk. Spent nine years in hospitals.
Was the first American-born Asian nominated for an Academy Award. It was for his role of Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid .
Had two daughters with Yukiye Kitahara and one with Kathleen Yamachi.
Was the subject of a popular Internet myth, that he owned a Japanese-style restaurant called Miyagis on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, CA. However, according to Morita himself in an about.com interview, he had nothing to do with the restaurant.
Buried at Palm Green Valley Memorial Park in Clark County, 6701 North Jones, Las Vegas, NV.
Last movie ever filmed is Royal Kill (working title: Princess) also starring Eric Roberts and Lalaine.
During his funeral procession, his former co-star Ralph Macchio of The Karate Kid quoted, "Forever, my Sensei" towards the mourners.
One of eight actors of Asian descent nominated for an Academy Award in an acting category. The others are Miyoshi Umeki who won Best Supporting Actress nominated for Sayonara , Sessue Hayakawa nominated for The Bridge on the River Kwai , Mako nominated for The Sand Pebbles , Haing S. Ngor who won Best Supporting Actor for The Killing Fields , Ken Watanabe nominated for The Last Samurai and Rinko Kikuchi nominated for Babel (2006/I) .
While he portrayed Mr. Miyagi, a Japanese immigrant who spoke (broken) English with a cement-thick Japanese accent, in real life Morita was an American citizen from birth who spoke with an American accent.
The scene that sealed his nomination for best supporting actor in The Karate Kid , in which Miyagi gets drunk and weeps over the death of his wife and child in the Manzanar Internment Camp, was nearly cut out of the film. The studio thought the scene was unnecessary and wanted it cut, but director John G. Avildsen argued that it was important to Miyagis character and finally the studio relented and allowed the scene to be kept in. Also, during the casting of the film, the studio wanted legendary Japanese actor Toshir Mifune to play Miyagi, but Avildsen and producer Jerry Weintraub thought Mifunes interpretation of the character was far too serious for what the film needed.
Was a closet alcoholic. Heavy drinking, which his doctors urged him to stop, was the primary cause of his death.
He and his family were placed in an internment camp during World War II. Was given the name "Pat" by his priest.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6633 Hollywood Blvd. on August 4, 1994.
Completed shooting scenes for two films before his death, but both were released years after the fact ( Royal Kill in 2009, and Act Your Age in 2011).
One of only four actors to receive a Razzie nomination for portraying a character they were previously Oscar-nominated for. The others are Sylvester Stallone , Talia Shire and Burt Young (all for Rocky IV and Rocky V ).
Best remembered by the public for his role as the wise sensei Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid and its sequels.
As a child, Pat and his family were forced to relocate to internment camp in Arizona for all Japanese American citizens during World War II. He and many other survivors of the camps were later compensated and given a formal apology from the American government.
Even though Pat Moritas character "Mr. Miyagi" was a karate master, he actually didnt know any karate at all.
Due to delayed releases, Morita continued appearing in films for nine years after his death.
Was friends with Angie Dickinson , and Redd Foxx.
I still have a young attitude.
Hip Nip just sounds groovy. A drummer laid it on me.
I began in an era where four-letter words were not allowed.
I went from being an ailing child to a public enemy.
A lot happens in 20 years.
The idea of a Japanese comedian was not only a rarity, it was,non-existent.
Only in America could you get away with the kind of comedy I did.
