Despite spending part of his youth in a Japanese internment camp, Pat Morita came through it all with a natural affability and spark for life that are much in evidence in his most famous role -- Mr. Miyagi in 1984's The Karate Kid.Born June 28, 1932, in Isleton, Calif., Morita gave up a career as a computer programmer to try his hand at stand-up. Before long, he was opening for big-name stars and eventually headlined shows of his own. Morita's big-screen debut came in 1967's Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Audiences soon saw that Morita was capable of playing more than the evil ethnic henchman, and a wider variety of roles began to come his way, including that of diner owner Arnold on "Happy Days." In addition to three subsequent Karate Kid films, Morita voiced the emperor in Disney's Mulan and worked steadily as a character actor in numerous films and TV shows over the years. He died in 2005.
The Karate KidHassled by the school bullies, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) has his share of adolescent woes. Luckily, his apartment building houses a resident martial arts master: Kesuke Miyagi (Pat Morita), who agrees to train Daniel ... and ends up teaching him much more than self-defense. Armed with newfound... Read More
The Karate Kid Part IIIn this high-kicking sequel, karate champ Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and his mentor, Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), cross the ocean to Okinawa, where Miyagi visits his dying father and rekindles his feelings for a former flame -- which leads to a tense confrontation with an old rival. Meanwhile, Daniel finds... Read More
Karate Kid Part III / Next Karate KidWith Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) as the guiding force, this double feature sees Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) defend his honor against Cobra Kai one last time before passing the torch to Julie (Hilary Swank), an orphan in need of Miyagi's assistance. In The Karate Kid, Part III, the sensei Daniel and... Read More
Ninja's CreedTo restore peace to his Himalayan homeland, courageous warrior Adam (Alexander Wraith) must prevent an overpowering female assassin (Gail Kim) from murdering Jan (Lalaine), an average American teenager unaware that she's a princess and heir to Adam's faraway kingdom. Jam-packed with tense shootouts,... Read More
King CobraScientists create a snake that's half African king cobra and half Eastern diamondback. Unfortunately, it has a horrible disposition and a blood thirst to match. Now, the 30-foot long mutant has escaped, and it's stalking a small town. It's now up to local doctor Brad Kagen (Scott Brandon) and Police... Read More
