Pat Morita

Early life Morita was born on June 28, 1932, in Isleton, California, to Japanese immigrants. His father, Tamaru, born in 1897, immigrated to California from Kumamoto Prefecture on the Japanese island of Kyushu in 1915. Tamaru's wife, Momoe, born in 1903, immigrated to California in 1913. Noriyuki, as Pat was named, had a brother named Hideo (Harry) who was 12 years older.

Morita developed spinal tuberculosis (Pott disease) at age two and spent the bulk of the next nine years in the Weimar Institute in Weimar, California, and later at the Shriners Hospital in San Francisco. For long periods, he was wrapped in a full-body cast and was told that he would never walk. During his time at a sanatorium near Sacramento, Morita befriended a visiting priest who would often joke that, if Morita ever converted to Catholicism, the priest would rename him to "Patrick Aloysius Ignatius Xavier Noriyuki Morita." Released from the hospital at age 11 after undergoing extensive spinal surgery and learning how to walk, Morita was transported from the hospital directly to the Gila River camp in Arizona to join his interned family. After about a year and a half, Morita was transferred to the Tule Lake War Relocation Center.

After World War II ended, Morita moved back to the Bay Area and he graduated from Armijo High School in Fairfield, California, in 1949. For a time after the war, the family operated Ariake Chop Suey, a restaurant in Sacramento, California, jokingly described by Morita years later as "a Japanese family running a Chinese restaurant in a black neighborhood with a clientele of blacks, Filipinos and everybody else who didn't fit in any of the other neighborhoods". Morita would entertain customers with jokes and serve as master of ceremonies for group dinners. After Morita's father was killed in 1956 by a hit-and-run driver while walking home from an all-night movie, Morita and his mother kept the restaurant going for another three or four years. Needing a regular job to support his wife and a newly born child, Morita became a data processor in the early 1960s with the Department of Motor Vehicles and other state agencies, graduating to a graveyard shift job at Aerojet General. In due time, he was a department head at another aerospace firm, Lockheed, handling the liaison between the engineers and the programmers who were mapping out lunar eclipses for Polaris and Titan missile projects. Morita used the nickname "The Hip Nip."

Despite having some Japanese-speaking roles throughout his acting career, Morita himself hardly spoke the language fluently, as he and his family primarily used English at home as his native language, making him isolated from his Japanese-speaking relatives and peers, especially his parents who were immigrants.

Television and film career Early work Morita's first movie roles were as a henchman in Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967) and a similar role in The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968), starring Don Knotts. He also appeared in the fourth episode of the 1st season of The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1969) and in the first episode of the second season of Columbo (1972). Morita had other notable recurring television roles on Sanford and Son (1974–1976) as Ah Chew, a good-natured friend of Lamont Sanford, and as South Korean Army Captain Sam Pak on the sitcom M*A*S*H (1973, 1974). He was also cast as Rear Admiral Ryunosuke Kusaka in the war film Midway (1976).

Happy Days Photo of Arnold's wedding from Happy Days. Arnold asks Fonzie (Henry Winkler) to be his best man at his traditional Japanese wedding ceremony. leftMorita had a recurring role in the mid-1970s on Happy Days as Matsuo "Arnold" Takahashi (the new Japanese owner of Arnold's Drive-In) starting in season three (1975–76). The story line was that Takahashi had purchased the Milwaukee eatery from the original Arnold but adopted the former's first name, explaining that it was too expensive for him to purchase the additional neon sign letters required to rename it "Takahashi's".thumb Arnold Takahashi with Richie (Ron Howard, left) on the TV series Happy Days in the 1975–76 season. As the new owner, Morita moonlighted as a martial arts instructor, teaching self-defense classes at the drive-in after hours. He also played "Arnold" as a guest star during seasons four and six before returning as a recurring character for season 10 (1982–83) and as a guest star in the final 11th season. Morita also reprised the character of Arnold on Blansky's Beauties in 1977.

The Karate Kid film series During the 1970s, Morita gained particular fame on Happy Days before his work as Mr. Miyagi in the Karate Kid films. The original preferred choice was Toshiro Mifune, who had appeared in the Akira Kurosawa films Rashomon (1950), Seven Samurai (1954), and The Hidden Fortress (1958), but Mifune did not speak English. Morita later auditioned for the role, but was initially rejected for the part due to his close association with stand-up comedy, and with the character Arnold from Happy Days. Producer Jerry Weintraub in particular did not want Morita, as he saw him as a comedic actor. Morita eventually tested five times before Weintraub himself offered him the role, ultimately winning it because he grew a beard and patterned his accent after his uncle. After Morita was cast and although he had been using the name Pat for years, Weintraub suggested that Morita be billed with his given name to sound "more ethnic". President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan posing for photos with Pat and Yuki Morita in 1987. In the first film, The Karate Kid (1984), Morita was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and a corresponding Golden Globe Award, for his role as the wise karate teacher Mr. Miyagi who taught bullied teenager Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) the art of Goju-ryu karate. He was recognized as Noriyuki "Pat" Morita at the 57th Academy Awards ceremony. He reprised the role twice more with Macchio in The Karate Kid Part II (1986) and The Karate Kid Part III (1989). From 1989 to 1990, Morita voiced Mr. Miyagi in the animated series, The Karate Kid, narrating the plot of each episode before the opening. In 1994, he starred in The Next Karate Kid with Hilary Swank (as bullied teenager Julie Pierce) instead of Macchio.

Television series Morita was the star of two television series. In 1976, he starred as inventor Taro Takahashi in his own show, Mr. T and Tina, the first Asian-American sitcom on network TV. The character first appeared on an episode of Welcome Back, Kotter and was spun-off into his own series, which ABC placed on Saturday nights. It was quickly canceled after five episodes in the fall of 1976. Morita also starred in the ABC detective show Ohara (1987–1988); it was cancelled after two seasons due to poor ratings.

Later work

Morita went on to play Tommy Tanaka in the Kirk Douglas-starring television movie Amos, receiving his first Primetime Emmy Award nomination and second Golden Globe Award nomination for the role.

Morita wrote and starred in the World War II romance film Captive Hearts (1987). He hosted the educational home video series Britannica's Tales Around the World (1990–1991). Morita made an appearance on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in the 1994 Season 5 episode “Love Hurts”. He also made a guest appearance on a 1996 episode of Married... with Children. Later in his career, Morita starred on the Nickelodeon television series The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo (1996–1998) and had a recurring role on the sitcom The Hughleys (2000). He went on to star in the short film Talk To Taka as a sushi chef who doles out advice to anyone who will hear him. Morita voiced the Emperor of China in Disney's 36th animated feature Mulan (1998) and reprised the role in Mulan II (2004), a direct-to-video sequel and Kingdom Hearts II. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.

Morita spoofed his role as "Mr. Miyagi" in a series of commercials for Colgate toothpaste; he portrayed the white-clad Wisdom Tooth, hailing Colgate as "The Wise Choice". Morita also co-starred with Ichiro Suzuki in a 1996 Nissan commercial aired in Japan.

Morita had a cameo appearance in the 2001 Alien Ant Farm music video "Movies". His appearance in the video spoofed his role in The Karate Kid. In 2002, Morita made a guest appearance on an episode of Spy TV. The following year, he had a cameo on an episode of the sitcom Yes, Dear, as an unnamed karate teacher, potentially being Miyagi. Morita would also reprise his role (to an extent) in the stop-motion animated series Robot Chicken in 2005.

Personal life Morita was married 3 times, to Kathleen Yamachi (m. 1953; div. 1967), Yukiye Kitahara (m. 1970; div. 1989), and Evelyn Guerrero (m. 1994). He had 3 children. He was an alcoholic for most of his adult life, drinking almost every day, which was the main underlying cause of his death. His wife Evelyn Guerrero went to Al-Anon to deal with being married to an alcoholic. The addiction took a major toll on their marriage.

Death On November 24, 2005, Morita died of kidney failure, following a urinary tract and gallbladder bacterial infection at his home in Las Vegas, at age 73. Morita was cremated at Palm Green Valley Mortuary and Cemetery in Las Vegas.

Posthumous credits Roles created prior to his death were included in a few posthumous works. Morita voiced Master Udon in the SpongeBob SquarePants episode "Karate Island" (the episode was dedicated to his memory). He had a role in the independent feature film Only the Brave (2006), about the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, playing the father of lead actor (and director) Lane Nishikawa (the film included two other Karate Kid stars, Yuji Okumoto and Tamlyn Tomita). Morita also had roles in Act Your Age (2011), Royal Kill (2009), and Remove All Obstacles (2010).

The fifth episode of the Netflix series Cobra Kai was dedicated in his memory. In-universe, Mr. Miyagi died on November 15, 2011, but is frequently referenced via archive footage from the original films.

Morita's contributions to cinema and his legacy have been the subject of two documentaries including Pat Morita: Long Story Short and More than Miyagi, The Pat Morita Story in which he appeared in archival footage.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1964 Car Thieves Komugi Credited as Noriyuki Morita 1967 Thoroughly Modern Millie Bun Foo / Oriental No. 2 1968 The Shakiest Gun in the West Wong 1972 Every Little Crook and Nanny Nonaka Where Does It Hurt? Nishimoto Cancel My Reservation Yamamoto 1975 I Wonder Who's Killing Her Now? Heshy Yamamoto 1976 Midway Rear Admiral Ryūnosuke Kusaka 1980 Hito Hata: Raise the Banner Yamada When Time Ran Out Sam 1981 Full Moon High The Silversmith 1982 Savannah Smiles Father OHara Jimmy the Kid Maurice Slapstick of Another Kind Chinese Ambassador Ah Fong 1983 The Daltons on the Loose Jolly Jumper English American version 1984 The Karate Kid Mr. Miyagi Nominated – Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor Night Patrol Rape Victim 1986 The Karate Kid Part II Mr. Miyagi 1987 Captive Hearts Fukushima 1989 The Karate Kid Part III Mr. Miyagi Nominated – Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor Collision Course Inspector Fujitsuka Natsuo 1991 Strawberry Road Old Man's Brother Do or Die Masakana "Kane" Kaneshiro Lena's Holiday Fred Goodbye Paradise Ben 1992 Honeymoon in Vegas Mahi Mahi Miracle Beach Gus Auntie Lee's Meat Pies Chief Koal Genghis Khan Emperor Wang 1993 American Ninja V Master Tetsu Even Cowgirls Get the Blues The Chink Living and Working in Space Cap 1994 Great Conquest: The Romance of Three Kingdoms Narrator English version The Next Karate Kid Keisuke Miyagi 1995 Timemaster Isaiah The Misery Brothers Judge 1996 Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite David Leung Spy Hard Brian, Waiter In Restaurant Reggie's Prayer Principal Bloodsport III David Leung Earth Minus Zero Dr. Mobius Jefferson 1997 Captured Alive Sam Kashawahara 1998 Mulan The Emperor of China Voice 1999 King Cobra Nick Hashimoto Inferno Jubal Early Los Gringos The Samurai Short film 2000 Brother Guy At The Poker Table Uncredited Talk to Taka Taka Short film I'll Remember April Abe Tanaka Hammerlock Un Huong Lo 2001 House of Luk Kwang Luk The Boys of Sunset Ridge Charlie Watanabe The Center of the World Taxi Driver Shadow Fury Dr. Oh Hwasango Vice Principal Jang Hak-Sa English American version 2002 The Stone man Professor Stevens The Biggest Fan Richard Limp 2003 High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story Mr. Leo 2004 Miss Cast Away and the Island Girls Himself Cameo Elvis Has Left the Building Man In Turban Mulan II The Emperor of China Voicedirect-to-video 2005 Down and Derby Ono Yakimoto American Fusion Lao Dong 2006 Spymate Kiro Filmed in 2003Released posthumously Only the Brave Seigo Takata Released posthumously The Number One Girl Mr. Sakata Released posthumously 18 Fingers of Death! Freeman Lee Released posthumously 2009 Royal Kill Exhibition Manager Last acting roleReleased posthumously 2010 Remove All Obstacles The Guru Short filmReleased posthumously 2011 Act Your Age Tom Released posthumously 2013 Blunt Movie Mr. Miyami Released posthumously 2014 Rice Girl Peter Ong Final film roleReleased posthumously 2025 Karate Kid: Legends Mr. Miyagi Archival footage from The Karate Kid Part II (1986); released posthumously

Television Year Title Role Notes 1971 Green Acres Charlie Lee Episode: "Hawaiian Honeymoon" 1972 Evil Roy Slade Turhan Television film Columbo Houseboy Episode: "Etude in Black" The Odd Couple Mr. Wing Episode: "Partner's Investment" The Bob Newhart Show The Bartender Episode: "Bob and Emily and Howard and Carol and Jerry" 1973 Hawaii Five-O Phoebe Episode: "Tricks Are Not Treats" 1973-1974 M*A*S*H Captain Sam Pak Episode: "Deal Me Out"Episode: "The Chosen People" 1974 Cannon Chuck Yamagata Episode: "The Avenger" Punch and Jody Takahasi Television film 1974-1976 Sanford and Son Ah Chew 7 episodes 1975 Kung Fu Chan Episode: "Ambush" 1975-1983 Happy Days Matsuo "Arnold" Takahashi 26 episodes 1976 Welcome Back, Kotter Mr. Takahashi Episode: "Career Day" Mr. T and Tina 5 episodes Farewell to Manzanar Zenahiro Television film 1977 Blansky's Beauties Arnold 13 episodes 1977-1987 The Love Boat VincentMr. Yamashiro Episode: "The Old Man and the Runaway"Episode: "Pacific Princess Overtures" 1978 Man from Atlantis Moby Episode: "Imp" The Incredible Hulk Fred Episode: "Stop the Presses" 1985 Alice in Wonderland The Horse Episode: "Part 2 - Through the Looking-Glass" 1986 Babes In Toyland The Toymaster Television film 1987-1988 Ohara Lieutenant Ohara 1988 Big Bird in Japan "Bamboo Princess" Play Narrator (voice) Television film 1989 The Karate Kid Mr. Miyagi Opening narration; 12 episodes 1990 Hiroshima: Out of the Ashes Yoodo Toda Television film 1991 Harry and the Hendersons Kenji Sahuara Episode: "The Bigfoot Who Ate Seattle" 1992 Choose Your Own Adventure: The Case of the Silk King ABC Weekend Special 1993 Space Rangers Nazzer Dave's World Hardware Store Owner Episode: "Exorcising with Dave Barry" 1994 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Mr. Yoshi Episode: "Love Hurts" 1995 Singapore Sling: Road to Mandalay Y.C. Kung Television film 1995 Lamb Chop's Special Chanukah Himself Television film 1996 Murder, She Wrote Akira Hitaki Episode: "Kendo Killing" 1996 Boy Meets World Wise Man Episode: "I Was a Teenage Spy" 1996 Married... with Children Mr. Shimakawa Episode: "Turning Japanese" 1996-1998 The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo Michael "Mike" Woo 29 episodes 1998 Family Matters Mr. Tanaka Episode: "Grill of My Dreams" The Outer Limits Dr. Michael Chen Episode: "In the Zone" Diagnosis: Murder Martin Gaylord Episode: "Food Fight" 1999 Gone to Maui Mr. Ono Television film 2001 Son of the Beach The King Episode: "B.J. Blue Hawaii" 2001 Baywatch Hideki Tanaka Recurring role as the father of Kekoa Tanaka 2003 Yes, Dear Karate Teacher Episode: "When Jimmy met Greggy" 2004 The Karate Dog Chin Li Television film 2005 Robot Chicken Himself VoiceEpisode: "S&M Present" 2006 SpongeBob SquarePants Master Udon VoiceEpisode: "Karate Island"Dedicated to his memory Released posthumously 2018-2025 Cobra Kai Mr. Miyagi Archival footageReleased posthumously

Documentary Year Title Role Notes 1997 Beyond Barbed Wire Narrator 2000 Diamonds in the Rough: The Legacy of Japanese American Baseball Narrator NBRP Documentary 2010 Interviews of Ninja's Creed Interviewee 2015 The Real Miyagi Interviewee 2019 Pat Morita: Long Story Short Manuscript Writer and interviewee 2021 More than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story Archival footage and interviewee Released posthumously

Video game Year Title Role Notes 2006 Kingdom Hearts II The Emperor of China VoiceReleased posthumously