Mr. Miyagi, dies - The Orange Mane

Atlas · 11-25-2005, 09:00 AM

Pat Morita, 'Karate Kid's' Mr. Miyagi, dies
SoCals Link: http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Movi....ap/index.html

Friday, November 25, 2005; Posted: 10:17 a.m. EST (15:17 GMT)

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- 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.

Atlas · 11-25-2005, 09:01 AM

Karate Kid was a great movie.

I thought he was older than 73

Sodak · 11-25-2005, 09:03 AM

Wax off, and out...

-Slap- · 11-25-2005, 09:06 AM

Morita had to play some demeaning and stereotypical roles as a Asian actor, but nothing could have been more embarrassing than pairing up with Jay Leno in a buddy cop movie.

broncosteven · 11-25-2005, 09:17 AM

RIP Arnold!

Rock Chalk · 11-25-2005, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Slap-

Morita had to play some demeaning and stereotypical roles as a Asian actor, but nothing could have been more embarrassing than pairing up with Jay Leno in a buddy cop movie.

Ugh, that movie was horrendous. Cant remember the name but I kept thinking "Someone actually produced this."

He just fit the part of Miyagi.

Northman · 11-25-2005, 09:32 AM

yea, sucks no doubt about it.

-Slap- · 11-25-2005, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlecRaenos

Ugh, that movie was horrendous. Cant remember the name but I kept thinking "Someone actually produced this."

He just fit the part of Miyagi.

Arguably the worst movie ever to bear the title "Collision Course". No mean feat as a multitude of sucky (mostly meteor themed) movies had the same name.

ludo21 · 11-25-2005, 09:41 AM

Rip

"Wax on, Wax off"

-Slap- · 11-25-2005, 09:43 AM

I saw this little gem, by the way. Jay Leno plays a streetwise cop, and Morita actually emerges relatively unscathed from the flaming wreckage that was Leno's blink-and-you-missed-it film career.

Needa Pass Rush · 11-25-2005, 10:22 AM

"Banzai, Danielsan"

missingnumber7 · 11-25-2005, 12:19 PM

I still like seeing that highlight of him and brett favre on the sideline when favre said he thought he was taller.

Hogan11 · 11-25-2005, 01:27 PM

He was cool.....R.I.P.

Goobzilla · 11-25-2005, 06:09 PM

He was never the same after the Fonz wiped out his chicken stand jumping 20 garbage cans. AAAAYYYYYYY!!!

So long Pat.

11-25-2005, 09:00 AM	#1
Atlas Draft Defense Early&Often Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 18,526	Mr. Miyagi, dies Pat Morita, 'Karate Kid's' Mr. Miyagi, dies SoCals Link: http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Movi....ap/index.html Friday, November 25, 2005; Posted: 10:17 a.m. EST (15:17 GMT) LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- 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. Last edited by Atlas; 11-25-2005 at 09:05 AM..

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11-25-2005, 09:01 AM	#2
Atlas Draft Defense Early&Often Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 18,526	Karate Kid was a great movie. I thought he was older than 73

11-25-2005, 09:03 AM	#3
Sodak Clueless... Who stole my avatar? Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Black Hills of Dakota Posts: 3,080	Wax off, and out...

11-25-2005, 09:06 AM	#4
-Slap- Ring of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 31,895	Morita had to play some demeaning and stereotypical roles as a Asian actor, but nothing could have been more embarrassing than pairing up with Jay Leno in a buddy cop movie.

11-25-2005, 09:17 AM	#5
broncosteven The Kranz Dictum MWA: Flight Director Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tranquility Base Posts: 29,340 Adopt-a-Bronco: MONEYBALL #38	RIP Arnold!

11-25-2005, 09:32 AM	#7
Northman The Enigma Prognosis Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,925 Adopt-a-Bronco: Bryci	yea, sucks no doubt about it.

11-25-2005, 09:41 AM	#9
ludo21 RIP Darrent Williams Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 17,981 Adopt-a-Bronco: Paul Ernster	Rip "Wax on, Wax off"

11-25-2005, 09:43 AM	#10
-Slap- Ring of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 31,895	I saw this little gem, by the way. Jay Leno plays a streetwise cop, and Morita actually emerges relatively unscathed from the flaming wreckage that was Leno's blink-and-you-missed-it film career.

11-25-2005, 10:22 AM	#11
Needa Pass Rush Never say Always Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,211	"Banzai, Danielsan"

11-25-2005, 12:19 PM	#12
missingnumber7 Vote Joe Mays to Pro Bowl Joe 4 Pro Bowl ST's Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Bismarck Posts: 4,760 Adopt-a-Bronco: Joe Mays	I still like seeing that highlight of him and brett favre on the sideline when favre said he thought he was taller.

11-25-2005, 01:27 PM	#13
Hogan11 Rock-N-Roll Historian Let's take these SOB's out!!!!!! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: W.NY.B.C. Posts: 21,300 Adopt-a-Bronco: Floyd Little	He was cool.....R.I.P.

11-25-2005, 06:09 PM	#14
Goobzilla Lights Out B*h! BA-ZING!!** Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wellington Posts: 6,530 Adopt-a-Bronco: Mitch Erickson	He was never the same after the Fonz wiped out his chicken stand jumping 20 garbage cans. AAAAYYYYYYY!!! So long Pat.