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Pat Morita

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Pat Morita

Noriyuki "Pat" Morita (June 28, 1932 – November 24, 2005) was an American actor and comedian. He began his career as a stand-up comedian, before becoming known to television audiences for his recurring role as diner owner Matsuo "Arnold" Takahashi on the sitcom series Happy Days from 1975 to 1983. He was subsequently nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of martial arts mentor Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid (1984), which would be the first of a media franchise in which Morita was the central player. Morita was the series lead actor in the television program Mr. T and Tina and in Ohara, a police-themed drama. The two shows made history for being among the few TV shows with an Asian-American series lead. He also played recurring or featured roles as Captain Sam Pak on M*A*S*H, Ah Chew in Sanford and Son, and Mike Woo on The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. He was the voice of The Emperor of China in the Disney animated film Mulan (1998), and its sequel Mulan II (2004). Aside from his 1985 Oscar nod, Pat Morita was twice nominated for Golden Globe Awards (Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture for The Karate Kid and Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film for the made-for-television film Amos), and an Emmy Award. In 1994, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the motion picture industry. In 2015, he was inducted into the Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame.

Infobox

Born
Noriyuki Morita(1932-06-28)June 28, 1932Isleton, California, U.S.
Died
November 24, 2005(2005-11-24) (aged 73)Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Occupations
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Years active
1962–2005
Spouses
mw- Kathleen Yamachi (m. 1953; div. 1967) Yukiye Kitahara (m. 1970; div. 1989) Evelyn Guerrero (m. 1994)
Children
3

Tables

· Filmography › Film
1964
Car Thieves
Role(s)
Komugi
Notes
Credited as Noriyuki Morita
1967
Role(s)
Bun Foo / Oriental No. 2
1968
1972
Role(s)
Nishimoto
Role(s)
Yamamoto
1975
Role(s)
Heshy Yamamoto
1976
Role(s)
Rear Admiral Ryūnosuke Kusaka
1980
Hito Hata: Raise the Banner
Role(s)
Yamada
Role(s)
Sam
1981
Role(s)
The Silversmith
1982
Role(s)
Father OHara
Role(s)
Maurice
Role(s)
Chinese Ambassador Ah Fong
1983
The Daltons on the Loose
Role(s)
Jolly Jumper
Notes
English American version
1984
Role(s)
Mr. Miyagi
Notes
Nominated – Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
Role(s)
Rape Victim
1986
Role(s)
Mr. Miyagi
1987
Role(s)
Fukushima
1989
Role(s)
Mr. Miyagi
Notes
Nominated – Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor
Role(s)
Inspector Fujitsuka Natsuo
1991
Role(s)
Old Man's Brother
Role(s)
Masakana "Kane" Kaneshiro
Lena's Holiday
Role(s)
Fred
Goodbye Paradise
Role(s)
Ben
1992
Role(s)
Mahi Mahi
Role(s)
Gus
Role(s)
Chief Koal
Genghis Khan
Role(s)
Emperor Wang
1993
Role(s)
Master Tetsu
Role(s)
The Chink
Living and Working in Space
Role(s)
Cap
1994
Great Conquest: The Romance of Three Kingdoms
Role(s)
Narrator
Notes
English version
Role(s)
Keisuke Miyagi
1995
Role(s)
Isaiah
The Misery Brothers
Role(s)
Judge
1996
Role(s)
David Leung
Role(s)
Brian, Waiter In Restaurant
Reggie's Prayer
Role(s)
Principal
Role(s)
David Leung
Earth Minus Zero
Role(s)
Dr. Mobius Jefferson
1997
Captured Alive
Role(s)
Sam Kashawahara
1998
Role(s)
The Emperor of China
Notes
Voice
1999
Role(s)
Nick Hashimoto
Role(s)
Jubal Early
Los Gringos
Role(s)
The Samurai
Notes
Short film
2000
Role(s)
Guy At The Poker Table
Notes
Uncredited
Talk to Taka
Role(s)
Taka
Notes
Short film
Role(s)
Abe Tanaka
Hammerlock
Role(s)
Un Huong Lo
2001
The Boys of Sunset Ridge
Role(s)
Charlie Watanabe
Role(s)
Taxi Driver
Role(s)
Dr. Oh
Role(s)
Vice Principal Jang Hak-Sa
Notes
English American version
2002
The Stone man
Role(s)
Professor Stevens
Role(s)
Richard Limp
2003
2004
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Cameo
Role(s)
Man In Turban
Role(s)
The Emperor of China
Notes
Voicedirect-to-video
2005
Role(s)
Ono Yakimoto
American Fusion
Role(s)
Lao Dong
2006
Role(s)
Kiro
Notes
Filmed in 2003Released posthumously
Role(s)
Seigo Takata
Notes
Released posthumously
The Number One Girl
Role(s)
Mr. Sakata
Notes
Released posthumously
Role(s)
Freeman Lee
Notes
Released posthumously
2009
Role(s)
Exhibition Manager
Notes
Last acting roleReleased posthumously
2010
Remove All Obstacles
Role(s)
The Guru
Notes
Short filmReleased posthumously
2011
Act Your Age
Role(s)
Tom
Notes
Released posthumously
2013
Blunt Movie
Role(s)
Mr. Miyami
Notes
Released posthumously
2014
Rice Girl
Role(s)
Peter Ong
Notes
Final film roleReleased posthumously
2025
Role(s)
Mr. Miyagi
Notes
Archival footage from The Karate Kid Part II (1986); released posthumously
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
1972
Where Does It Hurt?
Nishimoto
1972
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
1980
When Time Ran Out
Sam
1981
Full Moon High
The Silversmith
1982
Savannah Smiles
Father OHara
1982
Jimmy the Kid
Maurice
1982
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
1984
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
1989
Collision Course
Inspector Fujitsuka Natsuo
1991
Strawberry Road
Old Man's Brother
1991
Do or Die
Masakana "Kane" Kaneshiro
1991
Lena's Holiday
Fred
1991
Goodbye Paradise
Ben
1992
Honeymoon in Vegas
Mahi Mahi
1992
Miracle Beach
Gus
1992
Auntie Lee's Meat Pies
Chief Koal
1992
Genghis Khan
Emperor Wang
1993
American Ninja V
Master Tetsu
1993
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
The Chink
1993
Living and Working in Space
Cap
1994
Great Conquest: The Romance of Three Kingdoms
Narrator
English version
1994
The Next Karate Kid
Keisuke Miyagi
1995
Timemaster
Isaiah
1995
The Misery Brothers
Judge
1996
Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite
David Leung
1996
Spy Hard
Brian, Waiter In Restaurant
1996
Reggie's Prayer
Principal
1996
Bloodsport III
David Leung
1996
Earth Minus Zero
Dr. Mobius Jefferson
1997
Captured Alive
Sam Kashawahara
1998
Mulan
The Emperor of China
Voice
1999
King Cobra
Nick Hashimoto
1999
Inferno
Jubal Early
1999
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
· Filmography › Television
1971
Role(s)
Charlie Lee
Notes
Episode: "Hawaiian Honeymoon"
1972
Role(s)
Turhan
Notes
Television film
Role(s)
Houseboy
Notes
Episode: "Etude in Black"
Role(s)
Mr. Wing
Notes
Episode: "Partner's Investment"
Role(s)
The Bartender
Notes
Episode: "Bob and Emily and Howard and Carol and Jerry"
1973
Role(s)
Phoebe
Notes
Episode: "Tricks Are Not Treats"
1973-1974
Role(s)
M*A*S*H
Notes
Captain Sam Pak
1974
Role(s)
Chuck Yamagata
Notes
Episode: "The Avenger"
Role(s)
Takahasi
Notes
Television film
1974-1976
Role(s)
Sanford and Son
Notes
Ah Chew
1975
Role(s)
Chan
Notes
Episode: "Ambush"
1975-1983
Role(s)
Happy Days
Notes
Matsuo "Arnold" Takahashi
1976
Role(s)
Mr. Takahashi
Notes
Episode: "Career Day"
Role(s)
5 episodes
Farewell to Manzanar
Role(s)
Zenahiro
Notes
Television film
1977
Role(s)
Arnold
Notes
13 episodes
1977-1987
Role(s)
The Love Boat
Notes
VincentMr. Yamashiro
1978
Role(s)
Moby
Notes
Episode: "Imp"
Role(s)
Fred
Notes
Episode: "Stop the Presses"
1985
Role(s)
The Horse
Notes
Episode: "Part 2 - Through the Looking-Glass"
1986
Role(s)
The Toymaster
Notes
Television film
1987-1988
Role(s)
Ohara
Notes
Lieutenant Ohara
1988
Role(s)
"Bamboo Princess" Play Narrator (voice)
Notes
Television film
1989
Role(s)
Mr. Miyagi
Notes
Opening narration; 12 episodes
1990
Role(s)
Yoodo Toda
Notes
Television film
1991
Role(s)
Kenji Sahuara
Notes
Episode: "The Bigfoot Who Ate Seattle"
1992
Choose Your Own Adventure: The Case of the Silk King
Role(s)
Unknown
Notes
ABC Weekend Special
1993
Role(s)
Nazzer
1994
Role(s)
Mr. Yoshi
Notes
Episode: "Love Hurts"
1995
Lamb Chop's Special Chanukah
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Television film
1996
Role(s)
Akira Hitaki
Notes
Episode: "Kendo Killing"
Role(s)
Wise Man
Notes
Episode: "I Was a Teenage Spy"
Role(s)
Mr. Shimakawa
Notes
Episode: "Turning Japanese"
1996-1998
Role(s)
The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo
Notes
Michael "Mike" Woo
1998
Role(s)
Mr. Tanaka
Notes
Episode: "Grill of My Dreams"
Role(s)
Dr. Michael Chen
Notes
Episode: "In the Zone"
Role(s)
Martin Gaylord
Notes
Episode: "Food Fight"
2001
Role(s)
The King
Notes
Episode: "B.J. Blue Hawaii"
Role(s)
Hideki Tanaka
Notes
Recurring role as the father of Kekoa Tanaka
2003
Role(s)
Karate Teacher
Notes
Episode: "When Jimmy met Greggy"
2004
Role(s)
Chin Li
Notes
Television film
2005
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
VoiceEpisode: "S&M Present"
2006
Role(s)
Master Udon
Notes
VoiceEpisode: "Karate IslandDedicated to his memory Released posthumously
2018-2025
Role(s)
Cobra Kai
Notes
Mr. Miyagi
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
Unknown
ABC Weekend Special
1993
Space Rangers
Nazzer
1994
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Mr. Yoshi
Episode: "Love Hurts"
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"
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 IslandDedicated to his memory Released posthumously
2018-2025
Cobra Kai
Mr. Miyagi
Archival footageReleased posthumously
· Filmography › Documentary
1997
Beyond Barbed Wire
Role(s)
Narrator
2000
Diamonds in the Rough: The Legacy of Japanese American Baseball
Role(s)
Narrator
Notes
NBRP Documentary
2010
Interviews of Ninja's Creed
Role(s)
Interviewee
2015
The Real Miyagi
Role(s)
Interviewee
2019
Pat Morita: Long Story Short
Role(s)
Manuscript Writer and interviewee
2021
More than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story
Role(s)
Archival footage and intervieweeReleased posthumously
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 intervieweeReleased posthumously
· Filmography › Video game
2006
Role(s)
The Emperor of China
Notes
VoiceReleased posthumously
Year
Title
Role
Notes
2006
Kingdom Hearts II
The Emperor of China
VoiceReleased posthumously

References

  1. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/26/arts/26morita.html
  2. BBC
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4471060.stm
  3. Hollywood Walk of Fame
    https://walkoffame.com/pat-morita/
  4. "Hall of Fame"
    https://martialartsmuseum.com/about/hall-of-fame/
  5. San Francisco Chronicle
    https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/PAT-MORITA-1932-2005-S-F-comic-became-Karate-2559491.php
  6. Visit Fairfield
    https://visitfairfield.com/back-in-the-day-pat-morita-a-tvmovie-star-and-armijo-grad/
  7. "Japanese American Internee Data File: Tamaru Morita"
    https://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=3099&mtch=313&tf=F&q=Morita&bc=&sort=30012%20desc&rpp=50&pg=5&rid=51212&rlst=51470,51191,51422,51232,51403,51258,51277,51212,51442,51476
  8. "Japanese American Internee Data File: Momoe Morita"
    https://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=3099&mtch=313&tf=F&q=Morita&bc=&sort=30012%20desc&rpp=50&pg=4&rid=51213&rlst=51366,51213,37087,87528,66073,51372,51177,51303,51308,51358
  9. Pat Morita Interview
    http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/pat-morita#
  10. "Japanese American Internee Data File: Hideo Morita"
    https://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=3099&mtch=313&tf=F&q=Morita&bc=&sort=30012%20desc&rpp=50&pg=2&rid=51214&rlst=51357,51170,51294,51214,51209,51477,51244,51215,51471,51474
  11. Television Academy Interviews
    https://interviews.televisionacademy.com/interviews/pat-morita#
  12. Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/25/AR2005112500990.html
  13. Pat Morita discusses changing his name to Pat – EMMYTVLEGENDS
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuYxG_q_I38
  14. The Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-nov-26-me-morita26-story.html
  15. Pat Morita Interview
    http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/pat-morita#
  16. "Featured Memorial – Pat Morita Obituary"
    http://www.legacy.com/NS/Obituary.aspx?pid=15750717
  17. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-06-22-ca-20471-story.html
  18. Emmy Legends
    http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/pat-morita
  19. Pat Morita discusses his mentor Redd Foxx - EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=490TsUYe5f4
  20. The Napa Valley Register
    https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-napa-valley-register-at-county-fair/149097682/
  21. The Indianapolis Star
    https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-julia-inman-tv-s/149097974/
  22. Today.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20170921144734/http://www.today.com/id/10202732
  23. Sports Illustrated
    https://www.si.com/tech-media/2018/05/01/karate-kid-movie-oral-history-cobra-kai
  24. The Hollywood Reporter
    http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/karate-kid-pat-morita-had-fight-play-mr-miyagi-1015652
  25. People Magazine
    https://people.com/archive/pat-morita-1932-2005-vol-64-no-24/
  26. "Pat Morita, 1932–2005"
    http://theglitteringeye.com/?p=1528
  27. The Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-06-22-ca-20471-story.html
  28. Haing S. Ngor winning Best Supporting Actor
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9FgzH4xizU
  29. San Francisco Chronicle
    https://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/2005-11-26/news/17398855_2_pat-morita-mr-miyagi-karate-kid
  30. 1996年頃のCM イチロー ノリユキ・パット・モリタ ニッサン自動車 NISSAN
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klD921E5vKA
  31. The Signal
    https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110045641/morita-mr-miyagi-of-karate-kid-dies/
  32. "Meet Yuji Okumoto"
    http://konakitchen.com/meet-yuji/
  33. "Order Your Free Copy of HCR's new movie – "Remove All Obstacles""
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120708061928/http://www.jamisondoor.com/rao.asp
  34. "How 'Cobra Kai' paid tribute to 'Karate Kid' icon Pat Morita aka Mr. Miyagi"
    https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/cobra-kai-paid-tribute-karate-kid-icon-pat/story?id=54887612
  35. "PAT MORITA: LONG STORY SHORT – Asian Film Festival, Los Angeles"
    https://asianfilmfestival.us/?haru_video=pat-morita-long-story-short
  36. MovieWeb
    https://movieweb.com/more-than-miyagi-trailer-pat-morita/
  37. Cartoon Research
    https://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/streamline-pictures-part-4/
  38. kevindereksbcglobaln.wix.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20141226194829/http://kevindereksbcglobaln.wix.com/loveprojectfilms
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