Pat Morita waxes off
 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051125/...mo/obit_morita

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.

Raph's Girl note: Bye bye Mr. Miyagi!!! :(

Sayonara sensei...

...you were, indeed, the best around.

Awww... :(

Love Mr. Miyagi. It's sad to find out that Pat Morita has passed away, but I'm happy that he passed away peacefuly.

I'm going to call up some friends for us to do a tribute to Pat Morita by watching all four Karate Kid films today. :)

Bye, Mr. Miyagi, and good luck!

Hey! Mista Miyagi......Mista Miyagi?

:cry:

Aw man, i hate sad news. He was cool.:cry:

My gramma saw him in a bar on Catalina, he was like any other guy. I'd have at least said Hi to him, gramma didn't.

Ninjas don't kill people. Pat Morita playing ninjas...kills people.

Well, at least he used to. Poor Pat :(

Touche. Couldn't have said it better myself. *nods* :(

Farewell Pat Morita. You did indeed kick royal ass :(

You guys shouldn't be so sad. Pat Morita lived an awesome and full life and died peacefuly. What more can you ask for?

Like I said, I'm going to watch all the Karate Kid movies with a smile just for Pat. *hugs Pat Morita* :)

:o I just saw this on the news.......:o So sad-I LOVED this guy!!

*Bows her head in respect as a student would do with her Sensei* We will miss you, Sensei. But we will take peace in knowing that you are still kicking much butt with the likes of Bruce and Brandon Lee. Rest in peace, oldest and dearest teacher. *Bows head*

I loved Pat Morita....one of his last things was the Karate Kid spoof on Robot Chicken, Enter the Fat-one. He played himself as Joey Fatone's sensi as he trained to avenge his bandmates murders. he even faces our fave boys in green.

Though I moarn his passing, as Ryona has said, he went peacefully and he left a leagsy that rocks. but still we will miss you Pat. Now teach the Archangel Michael some Karate...wax on, wax off...:P

:( This is very sad. I loved him in the Karate Kid movies, though I've only seen the first and last one. He reminded me a lot of Master Splinter in those.

Indeed....hey was the karate KId pre-TMNT?? Maybe Splinter is a bit of Yoda and a bit of Miyagi....

Karate Kid was released on June 22, 1984.
The first issue of TMNT was published May, 1984.

Ohhh yeah and RIP Pat Morita.

Ahhh dang....oh well....I'm sure later Pat's Miyagi became one of the influences on Splinter Sensi

Damn...First Eddie now this.

Goodbye Morita....Arnold's will never be the same without you.

saw karate kid 2 on monday, and i remeber how much i loved the karate kid films. i always wish that i could have a teacher like mr miyagi in the gym.

this has been a sad week, first pat morita, then richard burns and so at last the fotball legend georgie best. :cry:

R.I.P. Mr. Miyagi. :cry: