Wax on, Wax off...Wax in peace Mr. Miyagi - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

ShaniFaye · 11-25-2005, 06:17 PM

http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Movi....ap/index.html

Quote:

Pat Morita, 'Karate Kid's' Mr. Miyagi, dies

Friday, November 25, 2005; Posted: 7:25 p.m. EST (00:25 GMT)

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Actor Pat Morita, whose portrayal of the wise and dry-witted Mr. Miyagi in "The Karate Kid" earned him an Oscar nomination, has died. He was 73.

Morita died Thursday at his home in Las Vegas of natural causes, said his wife of 12 years, Evelyn. She 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."

In 1984, he appeared in the role that would define his career and spawn countless affectionate imitations. As Kesuke Miyagi, the mentor to Ralph Macchio's "Daniel-san," he taught karate while trying to catch flies with chopsticks and offering such advice as "wax on, wax off" to guide Daniel through chores to improve his skills.

Morita said in a 1986 interview with The Associated Press he was billed as Noriyuki "Pat" Morita in the film because producer Jerry Weintraub wanted him to sound more ethnic. He said he used the billing because it was "the only name my parents gave me."

He lost the 1984 best supporting actor award to Haing S. Ngor, who appeared in "The Killing Fields." (Watch a profile of Morita -- 2:10)

For years, Morita played small and sometimes demeaning roles in such films as "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and TV series such as "The Odd Couple" and "Green Acres." His first breakthrough came with "Happy Days," and he followed with his own brief series, "Mr. T and Tina."

"The Karate Kid," led to three sequels, the last of which, 1994's "The Next Karate Kid," paired him with a young Hilary Swank.

Morita was prolific outside of the "Karate Kid" series as well, appearing in "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 movie "Mulan" in 1998.

Born in northern California on June 28, 1932, the son of migrant fruit pickers, Morita spent most of his early years in the hospital with spinal tuberculosis. He later recovered only to be sent to a Japanese-American internment camp in Arizona during World War II.

"One day I was an invalid," he recalled in a 1989 AP interview. "The next day I was public enemy No. 1 being escorted to an internment camp by an FBI agent wearing a piece."

After the war, Morita's family tried to repair their finances by operating a Sacramento restaurant. It was there that Morita first tried his comedy on patrons.

Because prospects for a Japanese-American standup comic seemed poor, Morita found steady work in computers at Aerojet General. But at age 30 he entered show business full time.

"Only in America could you get away with the kind of comedy I did," he commented. "If I tried it in Japan before the war, it would have been considered blasphemy, and I would have ended in leg irons. "

Morita was to be buried at Palm Green Valley Mortuary and Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife and three daughters from a previous marriage.

This is really sad, although somehow I missed the movie The Karate Dog I had seen a lot of what he's done.

I grew up with the Karate Kid movies and with his "Arnold" in Happy Days

I really liked him a lot

cyrnel · 11-25-2005, 06:28 PM

I was going to post this earlier, and the first title that came to mind was "wax on, wax off."

Yes he will be missed. Farewell Mr. Morita.

Dragonknight · 11-25-2005, 07:36 PM

Ahh that guy was so cool. RIP Mr. Morita. Never even heard of the Karate Dog.

Bill O'Rights · 11-25-2005, 10:29 PM

He'll always be "Arnold" to me. Last one out want to unplug the jukebox, and turn off the lights?

Kostya · 11-25-2005, 11:13 PM

Bronson...

Miyagi...

Who's next I ask you?

Charlatan · 11-26-2005, 04:32 AM

Miyagi-san, Arigatou gozaimasu!

Toaster126 · 11-26-2005, 06:24 AM

That's too bad. It seems he lived a full and exciting life, which is all we can ask for, I guess.

I think Karate Kid I was my favorite movie when I was a youngin'.

barenakedladies · 11-26-2005, 06:29 AM

tragic... but i think its a conspiracy..

We need to blame the cobra kai

Johnnie swept his leg.

Lucifer · 11-26-2005, 04:20 PM

I remember "Mr T. and Tina", and I remember Pat Morita doing guest spots on "Welcome Back, Kotter".

11-25-2005, 06:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
cyrnel Adequate Location: In my angry-dome.	I was going to post this earlier, and the first title that came to mind was "wax on, wax off." Yes he will be missed. Farewell Mr. Morita. __________________ There are a vast number of people who are uninformed and heavily propagandized, but fundamentally decent. The propaganda that inundates them is effective when unchallenged, but much of it goes only skin deep. If they can be brought to raise questions and apply their decent instincts and basic intelligence, many people quickly escape the confines of the doctrinal system and are willing to do something to help others who are really suffering and oppressed." -Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, p. 195

11-25-2005, 07:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dragonknight Insane Location: Hawaii	Ahh that guy was so cool. RIP Mr. Morita. Never even heard of the Karate Dog. __________________ Freedom is NOT Free.

11-25-2005, 10:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
Bill O'Rights will always be an Alyson Hanniganite Location: In the dust of the archives	He'll always be "Arnold" to me. Last one out want to unplug the jukebox, and turn off the lights? __________________ "I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony "Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt.

11-26-2005, 04:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	Miyagi-san, Arigatou gozaimasu! __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

11-26-2005, 06:24 AM	#7 (permalink)
Toaster126 Extreme moderation Location: Kansas City, yo.	That's too bad. It seems he lived a full and exciting life, which is all we can ask for, I guess. I think Karate Kid I was my favorite movie when I was a youngin'. __________________ "The question isn't who is going to let me, it's who is going to stop me." (Ayn Rand) "The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers." (M. Scott Peck)

11-25-2005, 11:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
Kostya Little known... Location: Brisbane, Australia	Bronson... Miyagi... Who's next I ask you?

11-26-2005, 06:29 AM	#8 (permalink)
barenakedladies Crazy Location: anytown, USA	tragic... but i think its a conspiracy.. We need to blame the cobra kai Johnnie swept his leg.

11-26-2005, 04:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
Lucifer Husband of Seamaiden Location: Nova Scotia	I remember "Mr T. and Tina", and I remember Pat Morita doing guest spots on "Welcome Back, Kotter". __________________ I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls. - Job 30:29 1123, 6536, 5321