Pat Morita waxes off

*Raph's Girl* · 11-25-2005, 09:52 AM

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!!!

*Voltron* · 11-25-2005, 10:00 AM

Sayonara sensei...

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

11-25-2005, 11:49 AM

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!

*Katie* · 11-25-2005, 12:58 PM

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

*Buslady* · 11-25-2005, 01:31 PM

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

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.

Cerpin Taxt · 11-25-2005, 05:29 PM

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

Well, at least he used to. Poor Pat

**Jo Dawn** · 11-25-2005, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voltron

Sayonara sensei...

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

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

*Tetsu Deinonychus* · 11-25-2005, 06:52 PM

First, Victor Wong. Now, Pat Morita.
Teenage Karate-films are really gonna suck without these guys. And, "Happy Day's" just won't be so happy anymore.

**ThirdMarioBro** · 11-25-2005, 07:07 PM

Farewell Pat Morita. You did indeed kick royal ass

11-25-2005, 07:19 PM

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*

Turtle Dove · 11-25-2005, 10:18 PM

I just saw this on the news.......

So sad-I LOVED this guy!!

*Mars-Chan* · 11-25-2005, 11:53 PM

*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*

**Jester** · 11-26-2005, 01:01 AM

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...

Leonardo Mystic · 11-26-2005, 01:16 AM

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.

**Jester** · 11-26-2005, 01:22 AM

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

*Weapon X* · 11-26-2005, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jester

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.

**Jester** · 11-26-2005, 01:47 AM

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

*The Stryker* · 11-26-2005, 03:22 AM

Damn...First Eddie now this.

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

verminator_x · 11-26-2005, 10:52 AM

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.

*Mecha Cow* · 11-26-2005, 02:09 PM

R.I.P. Mr. Miyagi.

11-25-2005, 09:52 AM	#1
Raph's Girl Dierna Soul, Reporter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jakku Posts: 10,831	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!!! __________________

11-25-2005, 10:00 AM	#2
Voltron Handsomest Boy in School Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Realm of SJW Posts: 4,642	Sayonara sensei... ...you were, indeed, the best around. __________________ I AM FOR ACTUAL! . . . and the White Savior. . . and the Right Hand of God. . .

11-25-2005, 12:58 PM	#4
Katie Just...way too serious. Join Date: May 2005 Location: purgatory Posts: 3,519	Hey! Mista Miyagi......Mista Miyagi? __________________ THE WORLD IS JUST AWESOME

11-25-2005, 01:31 PM	#5
Buslady WingsOfDarkness! Perkele! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: In 7803... Posts: 4,366	Aw man, i hate sad news. He was cool. 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. __________________

11-25-2005, 06:52 PM	#8
Tetsu Deinonychus The Iron Dinosaur Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Studio Snowlion HQ Posts: 3,021	First, Victor Wong. Now, Pat Morita. Teenage Karate-films are really gonna suck without these guys. And, "Happy Day's" just won't be so happy anymore. __________________ (Image hosting by Postimage.org) And here's a list of all my old wacky threads!

11-25-2005, 11:49 AM	#3
Ryona Guest Posts: n/a	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!

11-25-2005, 05:29 PM	#6
Cerpin Taxt Hench Mutant Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 278	Ninjas don't kill people. Pat Morita playing ninjas...kills people. Well, at least he used to. Poor Pat

11-25-2005, 07:07 PM	#9
ThirdMarioBro Tea Time! Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 8,905	Farewell Pat Morita. You did indeed kick royal ass __________________

11-25-2005, 07:19 PM	#10
Ryona Guest Posts: n/a	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

11-25-2005, 10:18 PM	#11
Turtle Dove Stone Warrior Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: In Don's workshop Posts: 854	I just saw this on the news....... So sad-I LOVED this guy!! __________________ ]~You'll always be #1 in my heart~ 1..2...3...4..Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.....

11-25-2005, 11:53 PM	#12
Mars-Chan I'LL BE THE HERO!!!! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Practicing Alchemy in Risembool Posts: 6,297	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 __________________ clings to award THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!! cries in joy RED DAAAAAAAAAAAAWWN!!!! PROUD Member of the Risembool Rangers! (icon made by bakergirl69 on glitter-graphics)

11-26-2005, 01:01 AM	#13
Jester Rat-faced Dude-guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 26,301	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... __________________ "Clearly, you're Ninja Turtling incorrectly." - Leo656

11-26-2005, 01:16 AM	#14
Leonardo Mystic Stone Warrior Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 904	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. __________________

11-26-2005, 01:22 AM	#15
Jester Rat-faced Dude-guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 26,301	Indeed....hey was the karate KId pre-TMNT?? Maybe Splinter is a bit of Yoda and a bit of Miyagi.... __________________ "Clearly, you're Ninja Turtling incorrectly." - Leo656

11-26-2005, 01:47 AM	#17
Jester Rat-faced Dude-guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 26,301	Ahhh dang....oh well....I'm sure later Pat's Miyagi became one of the influences on Splinter Sensi __________________ "Clearly, you're Ninja Turtling incorrectly." - Leo656

11-26-2005, 03:22 AM	#18
The Stryker Stupid Rich Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Room 237 Posts: 11,152	Damn...First Eddie now this. Goodbye Morita....Arnold's will never be the same without you. __________________ @~<3 Mom~@

11-26-2005, 10:52 AM	#19
verminator_x Hench Mutant Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: oslo-norway Posts: 457	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. __________________ Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun. Shine on you crazy diamond. Now theres a look in your eyes, like black holes in the sky. Shine on you crazy diamond.

11-26-2005, 02:09 PM	#20
Mecha Cow Gorgeous and modest too Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 3,699	R.I.P. Mr. Miyagi. __________________