LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Pat Morita, the Japanese-American actor who gained fame as the wise Mr. Miyagi in the “Karate Kid” movies and on the television show “Happy Days,” has died in Las Vegas at the age of 73.
The Las Vegas Palm Mortuary home said Morita died of natural causes on Thursday.
Morita, who was born in California and sent to a Japanese-American internment camp during World War II, won a supporting actor nomination for his portrayal of the witty karate mentor of a young boy in 1984’s “The Karate Kid.“
Morita played the wise handyman, Mr. Miyagi. who befriended a new boy in town, played by Ralph Macchio, and helped him stand up to bullies by schooling him in Eastern philosophy and martial arts.
The film proved to be a box-office sensation and earned Morita the distinction of becoming the first Asian-American to be nominated for an acting Oscar. He lost that year to Haing S. Ngor of “The Killing Fields.”
I’m far more cut up to hear that Pat Morita died than to hear of the death of George Best. He made want to take up Karate and got me interested in Bonsai, I shall miss him.
I continue to try to catch flies with chopsticks but as yet to no avail.
Daniel: Hey, what kind of belt do you have?
Miyagi: Canvas. JC Penny. Three ninety-eight. You like?
[laughs]
Daniel: No, I meant…
Miyagi: Daniel-san… karate here.
[he taps his head]
Miyagi: Karate here.
[he taps his heart]
Miyagi: Karate never here
[points to his belt]
Miyagi: Understand?
The Karate Kid is without doubt the best portrayal of the relationship between master and pupil in a movie that I can think of. RIP Morita-sama.
