| "Wax on, wax off, breathe in, breathe out, and don't forget to breathe...very important." PAT MORITA!
What a guy. He withstood all odds to become what he became, not just as Mr. Miagi - but as a person LOYALLY devoted to his fans, and actor initself, and that's what Hollywood legends are made of! His story now begins ... Morita was born June 28, 1932, in Isleton, California. Trouble struck him as a child when he was diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis as a child and was told that he would never walk. He overcame it, and it would be the first of many things he overcame. No longer had he 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." The son of migrant fruit pickers, he was hard working and always enjoyed a laugh and making people laugh. He was the "class clown" in school and went on to graduate from Armijo High School in Fairfield, California. 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. Some got it, some didn't. Prospects for a Japanese-American standup comic seemed poor, Morita found steady work in computers at Aerojet General, but was bored there because he wanted to be in show business. But at age 30 he quit and entered show business full time. He hit the door for Hollywood, working in stand-up comedy and having minor roles on-screen. It was then, he was discovered one night while performing stand-up by comic legend Red Foxx. Red offered him a role as "Ah Chew," on his hit series Sanford and Son. A comic legend was born, and proved that Japanese-Americans can stand thier ground among the rest of the best comics in the world. He went on to a successful re-occuring role as Matsuo 'Arnold' Takahashi on Happy Days, followed by bigger roles in films, that led to his most known role, our Mr. Kesuke Miyagi in The Karate Kid. (Admit it, everyone wanted a Miyagi in thier life.) His quotes from that film became affectionate everyday words of advice for the world. Morita work right up until the end, and was working on two projects when he passed away of natural causes (kidney failure) on November 24, 2005, at his home in Las Vegas, Navada. He dedicated his life to family, comedy, and fans. R.I.P. Mr. Miyagi, you are missed!! Leave virtual flowers and a note here! TRIVIA He is buried @ Palm Green Valley Memorial Park, in Las Vegas, Nevada Was a big fan of Green Bay Packers football team Nicknamed "Hip Nip" in his stand-up days. Owned a Japanese-style restaurant called Miyagi's on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California. Was the first Asian-American nominated for an acting Oscar. It was for his role of Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid |
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| Pat Morita Hollywood Legend Actor |