posted 11-25-2005 10:58 AM         

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.

posted 11-25-2005 01:56 PM         

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Originally posted by Dave Mills:
Hey, I posted a couple when you guys were away....does that I mean I shouldn't post anymore either?

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Dave - as the Senior member of the POA Roundtable Brass of Owners,,,,'you' are allowed to post anything you wish I forgot,,,there are exceptions,,,,age, status, and party affiliation, lol.

posted 11-25-2005 04:33 PM         

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Originally posted by ALLEY CAT:
Yak breath FP - [B]ONLY the official POA Coroner and Mortician (Tangled up in Blue and Howard) are allowed to post death notices on these forums. Consider this a friendly, verbal warning this time! [/B]

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Yak...I think you might have pulled off the obituary impersonator thing without being called on it, but in my opinion, your post was lame. In fairness, not everyone has the talent or understanding to regularly address such sensitive issues?

Hip...thanks for the very informative and respectful post..

posted 11-25-2005 06:24 PM         

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Originally posted by Chromer:
Yak...I think you might have pulled off the obituary impersonator thing without being called on it, but in my opinion, your post was lame. In fairness, not everyone has the talent or understanding to regularly address such sensitive issues?

Hip...thanks for the very informative and respectful post..

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....my guess, Fat Pat saw the obit in the newspaper at the bus station on his way to see "Sweet Mary", then phoned it in to the "Lucid Eye", I think FP has been trying to hire him away from me...
....I noticed immediately the article was poorly written and I didn't feel he was really sympathetic to the facts at hand.......I have yet to speak to my assistant, Howard, about this matter but I am sure he will be disappointed also...

posted 11-25-2005 07:48 PM         

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Originally posted by tangled up in BLUE:
....my guess, Fat Pat saw the obit in the newspaper at the bus station on his way to see "Sweet Mary", then phoned it in to the "Lucid Eye", I think FP has been trying to hire him away from me...
....I noticed immediately the article was poorly written and I didn't feel he was really sympathetic to the facts at hand.......I have yet to speak to my assistant, Howard, about this matter but I am sure he will be disappointed also...

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posted 11-26-2005 12:07 AM         

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Originally posted by Chromer:

Hip...thanks for the very informative and respectful post..

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I'm glad you appreciated it Chromer. He was a classy guy that Pat Morita.