Pat Morita (1932-2005), born Noriyuki Morita, was an Asian-American character actor best known for playing Mr. Miyagi in the Karate Kid films and diner owner Arnold on Happy Days. Morita's film and television career spanned over three decades, ranging from fully stereotyped parts like "Oriental #2" in Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967, with Julie Andrews and Carol Channing) to slightly more complex roles, including Grandpa on the Nickelodeon series The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo (1996-1998).

In 1988, he lent his distinctive voice to Big Bird in Japan, as the phonographic English language narrator of the Bamboo Princess play.

External linksEdit

• IMDb