November 25, 2005

Actor, Pat Morita, 73, passed away, Thursday, Nov 24^th of natural causes at home in Las Vegas. Well known for his Oscar-nominated role in the “The Karate Kid”, and as the diner owner on the TV show “Happy Days”.

He was born June 28^th, 1932 in Isleton, CA.  His parents were traveling fruit pickers.  As a child he had spinal tuberculosis and was told at one point he would never walk again.  At age 11, he had an operation that fused 4 of his vertebrae and was able to walk again.  Because of World War II, and being Japanese, he and his family were kept at and internment camp in Arizona.

He started out in showbiz as a stand up comedian.  When he graduated high school he took a detour in show biz for a job working for an aerospace company.  At this company he was promoted overtime to be the head of the computer operations department.  He at this point decided to quit his job and pursue his desire to perform on a full time basis.

Morita has also starred in the following films; "Honeymoon in Vegas," "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues," "Spy Hard," "The Center of the World" and the "Mulan".  Other TV shows he has been in; “Mr. T and Tina," "Ohara", "The Love Boat," "The Hughleys," "Baywatch Hawaii," "The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo," and "Robot Chicken."