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, the sparkling Noriyuki Morita was back again dishing out Eastern philosophy and martial arts lessons for The Karate Kid, Part II and The Karate Kid, Part III, and even for The Next Karate Kid.

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. He quickly adapted to the screen and showed up in small parts in comedies including in The Shakiest Gun in the West, alongside Don Knotts, and in Evil Roy Slade supporting John Astin; plus he was popular on TV Shows including Sanford and Son and M*A*S*H.

Morita got his next break playing the often-perplexed restaurant owner Arnold in two stints on the hugely popular Happy Days 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 cop show, Ohara, plus he had guest-starred on other high-profile TV shows including Magnum, P.I., Murder, She Wrote, Baywatch Hawaii, and The Hughleys.

Although most often used as a minor character actor, he remained consistently busy and additionally lent his vocal talents to animated features such as Mulan. However, his real strengths lay in portraying slightly oddball or unusual characters in offbeat films. He died of natural causes at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, in November 2005, at the age of 73.


Graduated from Armijo High School in Fairfield, California. Was often billed as the Hip Nip for his stand-up performances. Diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis as a child and was told that he would never walk. Spent nine years in hospitals. Had three daughters with Yuki Buried at Palm Green Valley Memorial Park in Clark County, 6701 North Jones, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. During his funeral procession, his former co-star Ralph Macchio of The Karate Kid (1984) quoted, "Forever, my Sensei" towards the mourners. His real accent is American, when playing "Mr. Miyagi" in the Karate Kid movies, he used a faux Japanese accent. Was a closet alcoholic. Heavy drinking, which his doctors urged him against, was the primary cause of Morita's death. Was given the name "Pat" by his priest.