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Pat "Mr. Miyagi" Morita dies at age 73
Actor Pat Morita died Thursday at his home in Las Vegas of natural causes, The Associated Press reports. He was 73.
Evelyn, his wife of 12 years, 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."
Morita is perhaps best remembered as the wise and dry-witted Mr. Miyagi in the Karate Kid films, a role in which he earned an Oscar nomination.
He first appeared in the role alongside his onscreen karate student Ralph Macchio's "Daniel-san", in 1984, and it proved to be a defining move, as it spawned countless affectionate imitations. The movie, The Karate Kid led to three sequels, the last of which, 1994's The Next Karate Kid, paired him with a young Hilary Swank.
Other movies in which he appeared in include 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 animated feature Mulan in 1998.
Actor Pat Morita died Thursday at his home in Las Vegas of natural causes, The Associated Press reports. He was 73.
Evelyn, his wife of 12 years, 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."
Morita is perhaps best remembered as the wise and dry-witted Mr. Miyagi in the Karate Kid films, a role in which he earned an Oscar nomination.
He first appeared in the role alongside his onscreen karate student Ralph Macchio's "Daniel-san", in 1984, and it proved to be a defining move, as it spawned countless affectionate imitations. The movie, The Karate Kid led to three sequels, the last of which, 1994's The Next Karate Kid, paired him with a young Hilary Swank.
Other movies in which he appeared in include 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 animated feature Mulan in 1998.
