Home » VT News » Vegas Passing: Pat 'Mr. Miyagi' Norita
Vegas Passing: Pat 'Mr. Miyagi' Norita
LOS ANGELES - 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."
[Staff at vt.com is very saddend by Mr. Morita's passing in Vegas. RIP Pat. We will miss you. - Ed]

Advertisement:
The Latest:
Introducing the Trippies Class of 2017What I Did On My Summer Vacation - Part 2
Sayonara Wynn Nightlife Social Media History
Sayonara Bellagio Table Game Canopies
Trippies 2017 Webcast Live This Saturday!
Some Thoughts About Alon
Crown Pulls Out Of Alon
The Lucky Dragon Photo Safari
The Trippies 2017 Final Nominees Are...
The Trippies 2017 Nomination Phase Is Now Open
The Crown Of Macau... And Eventually Vegas
» Complete Archive

Recent Comments:
» Sayonara Bellagio Table Game Canopies...
» Introducing the Trippies Class of...
» Introducing the Trippies Class of...
» Sayonara Bellagio Table Game Canopies...
Comments & Discussion:
» No Guts, No Glory... Be The First to Post
Comments Are Closed