Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita
Born: June 28 1932
Where: Isleton, California, USA
Died: November 2005 (natural causes)
The one-time stand up comedian was best known for the role of the philosophising Mr Miyagi in the popular series of Karate Kid movies.
He was the first Asian-American actor to be Oscar-nominated for best supporting actor in The Karate Kid.
As a child he suffered spinal tuberculosis (he was told he would never walk) and went on to spend years in a Japanese internment camp during World War II.
He initially worked as a computer programmer but gave up the job to become a stand-up comic - The Hip Nip - in nightclubs and bars.
He was discovered by impressario Redd Foxx and landed several appearances as Ah Chew on the TV show Sanford and Son.
His big screen debut came in 1967 in Thoroughly Modern Millie but it was as restaurant owner Arnold in Happy Days that he landed his first big break.
Morita starred in his own, short-lived series Mr T and Tina before he hit the big time as karate coach Kisuke Miyage in The Karate Kid in 1984.
He would appear in numerous sequels as well as landing the lead in his own cop show Ohara and making guest appearances in the likes of Magnum PI and Baywatch.
In 1998, he provided the voice for the Emperor of China in the cartoon outing Mulan.
Recent work included the low-budget movies The Number One Girl and Ghengis Khan.
He died of natural causes aged 73 in Las Vegas, where he had taken his retirement.
