Good Bye Mr. Miyagi.

[Drake]

Actor 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.

Edited November 25, 2005 by MrFill

[Al Stevens]

RIP Mr Miyagi San

[WWE]

I don't know who he is, but R.I.P.

[Russ]

Aaw, I'm gutted, the guy was a legend. Karate Kid was one of my favourite movies as a kid, and Mr Miyagi was the real star, not Daniel-san. On another forum I've been reading some of his jokes from his time as a stand up comedian, and he seems like a genuinely funny guy, not to mention a great actor.

 

He'll be missed.

[Kanenite]

Aaaaaaw, mr Miyagi rules! R.I.P Mr, sleep well.

[PHIZZLE]

Rip miyagi san

[Drake]

He did rule.I remember watching Karate Kid and thinking that the ''Cool'' guys in the movie was Mr.Miyagi.

 

And he will be missed.RIP Mr.Miyagi :(

[Moobs]

R.I.P Mr.Miyagi. :(

[2 hottie]

R.I.P he ruled in his own words wax on wax off

[MrFill]

RIP Mr Miyagi - Pat Morita was a legend. :(

[Anime Otaku]

R.I.P Arigato Miyagi San

[Anime Otaku]

A tribute I have found on another site

http://media.putfile.com/Miyagi-Tribute

[Paul]

I thought the Graboids had got him years ago! ;)

 

 

But RIP, he was a cool actor.