QuoteR.I.P.
Great films, great actor.
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."
Morita appeared in the three "Karate Kid" sequels, the last of which, "The Next Karate Kid," gave double-Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank her big break in 1994.
The quick-witted Morita worked as a computer programmer but by the age of 30 had entered the world of entertainment full time as a stand-up comedian.
His first break came in the early 1960s when was introduced to Sally Marr, the mother of comic legend Lenny Bruce, who began managing his career and touring him around the country. Throughout that decade, he appeared in TV shows like "Laugh-In" and "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour."
In a 1994 interview with Reuters to promote "The Next Karate Kid," Morita said he had lived a joyful life.
"I've learnt what it is funny and the first word of funny, is fun," he said.
After his years doing stand-up and guest appearances on TV, Morita gained wide fame and a recurring role playing restaurant owner Arnold on the hit 1970s show "Happy Days."
He briefly had his own TV detective series, called "Ohara," and appeared in many movies, including "Do or Die" and "Honeymoon in Las Vegas." Morita lent his voice to the Emperor character in the Disney animated movie "Mulan" in 1998.
He received a star on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame in 1994.
Morita is survived by his wife of 12 years, Evelyn, and three daughters from his previous marriage.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/25112005/32...es-age-73.html
Last edited by sligoman; 26/11/2005 at 12:39 AM.
Life without Rovers, it makes no sense...it's a heartache...nothing but a fools game. S.R.F.C.
R.I.P.
Great films, great actor.
City definetly have the best bands playing at half-time.
O'Bama - "Eerah yeah, I'd say we can alright!"
G.O'Mahoney Trapattoni'll sort ém out!!
Sadly Missed
Originally Posted by Risteard
You are joking I hope.....
Bye bye Stan. Go off back to collecting cones you useless git.
he is a legend aldini. like it or not.
I'm a bloke,I'm an ocker
And I really love your knockers,I'm a labourer by day,
I **** up all me pay,Watching footy on TV,
Just feed me more VB,Just pour my beer,And get my smokes, And go away
Not at all.
As with everything in the 80s, cheesey but good.
Was sunburnt in Asia for three days this summer but it was brilliant cos they had a Karate Kid day on HBO and we watched them all.
Was funny in that Alien Ant Farm video aswell.
City definetly have the best bands playing at half-time.
O'Bama - "Eerah yeah, I'd say we can alright!"
G.O'Mahoney Trapattoni'll sort ém out!!
so long Miyagi son,
gay film though (aimed at dumb americans)
Yeah I always wanted to slap Daniel san and leg it!
Eoin Mullen, Bohemians legend!
"You should always take good care of your cat" - Postman Pat, 1991
2005 - a great year for Irish football
What waxes on, must eventually wax off !!
Fair play to ya fella, some of your moves were a bit gay but you were only small !! RIP
The SFAI are the governing body for grassroots football in Ireland, not the FAI. Its success or the lack of is all down to them.
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