Abundantly busy and much loved Asian-American actor who became an on-screen hero to millions of adults and kids alike as the wise and wonderful Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid (1984), the sparkling Noriyuki Morita was back again dishing out Eastern philosophy and martial arts lessons for The Karate Kid Part II (1986) and The Karate Kid Part III (1989)...
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Abundantly busy and much loved Asian-American actor who became an on-screen hero to millions of adults and kids alike as the wise and wonderful Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid (1984), the sparkling Noriyuki Morita was back again dishing out Eastern philosophy and martial arts lessons for The Karate Kid Part II (1986) and The Karate Kid Part III (1989), and even for The Next Karate Kid (1994). However, putting all that karate aside, the diminutive Morita actually first started out as a stand-up comedian known as the Hip Nip in nightclubs and bars, and made his first on-screen appearance in Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967). He quickly adapted to the screen and showed up in small parts in such comedy films as The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968), alongside Don Knotts, and in Evil Roy Slade (1972) supporting John Astin. He also appeared in such popular series as Sanford and Son (1972) and M*A*S*H (1972).Morita got his next break playing the often-perplexed restaurant owner Matsho "Arnold" Takahashi in two episodes of the hugely popular sitcom Happy Days (1974) between 1975 and 1976, and again between 1982 and 1983. Morita was quite in demand on the small screen and also scored the lead in his own police drama Ohara (1987), and guest-starred on other high-profile television series including Magnum, P.I. (1980), Murder, She Wrote (1984), Baywatch (1989) and The Hughleys (1998). Although most often used as a minor character actor, he remained consistently busy and occasionally lent his vocal talents to animated features such as Mulan (1998). However, his real strengths lay in portraying slightly oddball or unusual characters in offbeat films. He died at age 73 of natural causes at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 24, 2005. Show less «
I never was able to do karate. That's calling me a good actor. I act like I can do anything.
I never was able to do karate. That's calling me a good actor. I act like I can do anything.
I still have a young attitude.
I still have a young attitude.
I went from being an ailing child to a public enemy.
I went from being an ailing child to a public enemy.
I began in an era where four-letter words were not allowed.
I began in an era where four-letter words were not allowed.
I didn't have a childhood.
I didn't have a childhood.
It's been a career filled with very low valleys and some wonderful, high peaks.
It's been a career filled with very low valleys and some wonderful, high peaks.
I've been working on my autobiography, just pecking away in longhand. The more you write, the more y...Show more »
I've been working on my autobiography, just pecking away in longhand. The more you write, the more you remember. The more you remember, the more detail you recall. It's not all pleasant! Show less «
I'm in semi-retirement, but what am I going to retire to? I don't ride horses, I don't golf anymore....Show more »
I'm in semi-retirement, but what am I going to retire to? I don't ride horses, I don't golf anymore. I shoot a game of pool every now and then. Show less «
A lot happens in 20 years.
A lot happens in 20 years.
I'm awkward at these things. Just being nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for...Show more »
I'm awkward at these things. Just being nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for [The Karate Kid (1984)] was a real surprise and I was a little uncomfortable. Show less «
The idea of a Japanese comedian was not only a rarity, it was non-existent.
The idea of a Japanese comedian was not only a rarity, it was non-existent.
Hip Nip just sounds groovy. A drummer laid it on me.
Hip Nip just sounds groovy. A drummer laid it on me.
Thanks to the Japanese and Geronimo, John Wayne became a millionaire.
Thanks to the Japanese and Geronimo, John Wayne became a millionaire.
You may have heard that back in the States there are some people who are smoking grass. I don't know...Show more »
You may have heard that back in the States there are some people who are smoking grass. I don't know how you feel, but it's sure easier than cutting the stuff. Show less «
Only in America could you get away with the kind of comedy I did.
Only in America could you get away with the kind of comedy I did.
I don't know of any other creature on earth other than man that will sit in a corner and cry because...Show more »
I don't know of any other creature on earth other than man that will sit in a corner and cry because of some painful experience in the past. Show less «