Pat Morita Passes Away at Age 73

On November 25, 2005, Pat Morita who portrayed Mr. Miyagi in “The Karate Kid, has passed away at his home in Las Vegas. He was 73.

Pat Morita was born in California in 1932, the son of migrant fruit pickers. Mr. Morita spent many years of his early childhood in the hospital, fighting spinal tuberculosis. Although Pat Morita never had martial arts training before, his role as Mr. Miyagi inspired many youngsters to sign up for karate lessons.

Mr. Morita will be missed by many.