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Karate Kid actor Pat Morita dies

Actor Pat Morita, who was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Ralph Macchio's mentor Mr Miyagi in The Karate Kid, has died.

The 73-year-old died at his home in Las Vegas on Thursday, his wife Evelyn said reports BBC.

The cause of death was unclear. A daughter told the Associated Press that Morita succumbed to heart failure; his manager told the wire service that the star passed away while awaiting a kidney transplant.

Morita, who was born in California and sent to a Japanese-American internment camp during World War II, played the wise handyman, Mr. Miyagi. who befriended a new boy in town, played by Ralph Macchio, and helped him stand up to bullies by schooling him in Eastern philosophy and martial arts in The Karate Kid.

"Pat Morita was a truly generous actor, a gifted comic, and an even greater friend," Ralph Macchio, who played Mr. Miyagi's pupil, said in a statement Friday. "It was both my honor and privilege to have worked with him and create a bit of cinema magic together."

Morita, who began his career as a comic, rose to fame playing restaurant owner Arnold on the hit 1970s show "Happy Days."

He briefly had his own TV detective series, called "Ohara," and appeared in many movies, including "Do or Die" and "Honeymoon in Las Vegas." Morita lent his voice to the Emperor character in the Disney animated movie "Mulan" in 1998 reports Reuters

He received a star on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame in 1994.

Morita is survived by his wife of 12 years, Evelyn, and three daughters from his previous marriage.

November 26, 2005
POSTED BY Fabien Montique
TAGS Dead

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Karate Kid actor Pat Morita dies