Pat Morita
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Born Name:
Patrick Noriyuki Morita
Born Date: June 28, 1932
Born Place: Sacramento, California
Died Date: November 24, 2005
Died Place: Las Vegas, Nevada
Occupations: Actor, comedian
Brief Biography: Noriyuki "Pat" Morita was best known for his iconic portrayal of the wise martial arts master Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid—which earned him an Academy Award nomination, he initially built his career as a stand-up comic after leaving a corporate aerospace job at age thirty.
Early Life and Hardships:
Morita battled spinal tuberculosis as a child, spending much of his youth immobilized in a body cast. After finally learning to walk at age eleven, he was immediately sent to live in Japanese internment camps in Arizona and California during World War II. He graduated from high school in Fairfield, California, and frequently entertained customers at his family's Sacramento restaurant.
Comedy Career:
At age thirty, Morita left his career as a data entry clerk to become a stand-up comedian, where his self-deprecating humor and sharp timing made him a hit in nightclubs. He broke into television in the mid-1960s and early 1970s, making appearances on major programs like The Hollywood Palace and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Television Success:
Morita’s stand-up success opened doors to acting, and he became a beloved figure on television. He landed recurring roles on Sanford and Son (as Ah Chew) and Captain Sam Pak on M*A*S*H. His most recognizable television role was Matsuo "Arnold" Takahashi, the affable malt-shop owner on Happy Days (1975–1983). He also went on to star in his own detective series, Ohara, and voice the Chinese Emperor in Disney's Mulan (1998).
The Karate Kid and Legacy:
In 1984, Morita achieved global fame as Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid. Though producers were initially hesitant to cast the known comedian in a dramatic, martial-arts role, his recorded audition proved he was perfect for the part. He became the first Asian American man to earn an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor and reprised his role in three sequels. He is remembered as both a masterful comedic performer and an inspirational actor.
Born Date: June 28, 1932
Born Place: Sacramento, California
Died Date: November 24, 2005
Died Place: Las Vegas, Nevada
Occupations: Actor, comedian
Brief Biography: Noriyuki "Pat" Morita was best known for his iconic portrayal of the wise martial arts master Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid—which earned him an Academy Award nomination, he initially built his career as a stand-up comic after leaving a corporate aerospace job at age thirty.
Early Life and Hardships:
Morita battled spinal tuberculosis as a child, spending much of his youth immobilized in a body cast. After finally learning to walk at age eleven, he was immediately sent to live in Japanese internment camps in Arizona and California during World War II. He graduated from high school in Fairfield, California, and frequently entertained customers at his family's Sacramento restaurant.
Comedy Career:
At age thirty, Morita left his career as a data entry clerk to become a stand-up comedian, where his self-deprecating humor and sharp timing made him a hit in nightclubs. He broke into television in the mid-1960s and early 1970s, making appearances on major programs like The Hollywood Palace and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Television Success:
Morita’s stand-up success opened doors to acting, and he became a beloved figure on television. He landed recurring roles on Sanford and Son (as Ah Chew) and Captain Sam Pak on M*A*S*H. His most recognizable television role was Matsuo "Arnold" Takahashi, the affable malt-shop owner on Happy Days (1975–1983). He also went on to star in his own detective series, Ohara, and voice the Chinese Emperor in Disney's Mulan (1998).
The Karate Kid and Legacy:
In 1984, Morita achieved global fame as Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid. Though producers were initially hesitant to cast the known comedian in a dramatic, martial-arts role, his recorded audition proved he was perfect for the part. He became the first Asian American man to earn an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor and reprised his role in three sequels. He is remembered as both a masterful comedic performer and an inspirational actor.