MORITA, Pat 1932(?)–2005

(Noriyuki Morita, Noriyuki Pat Morita, the Hip Nip)

PERSONAL

Original name, Noriyuki Morita; born June 28, 1932 (some sources cite June 28, 1930, August 28, 1932, or June 28, 1933), in Isleton, CA; father, a restaurant owner and farmer; married first wife (marriage ended); married Yuki (a community organizer), 1970 (divorced); married Evelyn Guerrero (an actress), 1995; children: (first marriage) Tia, Aly; died November 24, 2005, in Las Vegas, NV.

Addresses: Agent—Cunningham/Escott/Slevin and Doherty Talent Agency, 10635 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 140, Los Angeles, CA 90025.

Career: Actor and comedian. Comedian in Los Angeles, beginning 1964; opening act performer for such performers as Johnny Mathis, Ella Fitzgerald, and Glen Campbell before becoming a headliner at various venues, including nightclubs in Las Vegas, NV and at military bases; while performing, temporarily adopted the nickname the Hip Nip; appeared in advertisements. Owner of the restaurant Miyagi's. Worked at his family's restaurant, Sacramento, CA, at Aerojet-General Corporation, and in data processing.

Awards, Honors: Discovery of the Year Award, Hollywood Women's Press Club, 1984; Academy Award nomination, best actor in a supporting role, and Golden Globe Award nomination, best performance by an actor in a supporting role in a motion picture, both 1985, for The Karate Kid; Emmy Award nomination, outstanding supporting actor in a miniseries or special, and Golden Globe Award nomination, best performance by an actor in a supporting role in a series, miniseries, or motion picture made for television, both 1986, for Amos; Lifetime Achievement Award, Association of Asian/Pacific American Artists, 1987; received a star on the Hollywood walk of fame, 1995.

CREDITS

Film Appearances:

Second laundry worker, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Universal, 1967.

Wong, The Shakiest Gun in the West, Universal, 1968.

Nishimoto, Where Does It Hurt?, Cinerama, 1972.

Nonaka, Every Little Crook and Nanny, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1972.

Yamamoto, Cancel My Reservation, Warner Bros., 1972.

I Wonder Who's Killing Her Now? (also known as Kill My Wife Please), LIVE Home Video, 1975.

Rear admiral Ryunosuke Kusaka, Midway (also known as Battle Midway and The Battle of Midway), Universal, 1976.

Sam, When Time Ran Out (also known as The Day the World Ended and Earth's Final Fury), Warner Bros., 1980.

Silversmith, Full Moon High (also known as Moon High), Filmways, 1981.

Father Ohara, Savannah Smiles, Gold Coast Films/Embassy Pictures, 1982.

Maurice, Jimmy the Kid, New World Pictures, 1983.

Ambassador Ah Fong, Slapstick of Another Kind (also known as Slapstick), Entertainment Releasing, 1984.

(As Noriyuki "Pat" Morita) Mr. Miyagi, The Karate Kid, Columbia, 1984.

Rape victim, Night Patrol, New World Pictures, 1984.

(As Noriyuki "Pat" Morita) Mr. Miyagi, The Karate Kid II, Columbia, 1986.

Fukushima, Captive Hearts (also known as Fate of a Hunter), United Artists, 1987.

Investigator Fujitsuka Natsuo, Collision Course, HBO Home Video, 1989.

(As Noriyuki "Pat" Morita) Mr. Miyagi, The Karate Kid Part III, Columbia, 1990.

Chief Koal, Auntie Lee's Meat Pies, Trans World Entertainment, 1991.

Fred, Lena's Holiday, Prism Entertainment, 1991.

Kaneshiro, Do or Die (also known as Girls, Games, and Guns), Malibu Bay Films, 1991.

(As Noriyuki "Pat" Morita) Old man's brother, Strawberry Road (also known as Sutoroberi Road), Toho Company, 1991.

Ben, Moon over Paradise (also known as Goodbye Paradise), Axelia International, c. 1991.

Gus, Miracle Beach, Motion Picture Corporation of America, 1992.

Mahi Mahi, Honeymoon in Vegas, Columbia, 1992.

(English version) Narrator, Sangokushi (animated; also known as Great Conquest: The Romance of 3 Kingdoms), [Japan], 1992.

Master Tetsu, American Ninja 5: Young Ninja Warrior (also known as American Ninja 5), Cannon, 1993.

(As Noriyuki "Pat" Morita) The chink, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, Fine Line Features, 1994.

(As Noriyuki "Pat" Morita) Mr. Miyagi, The Next Karate Kid, Columbia, 1994.

(As Noriyuki "Pat" Morita) Isaiah, Timemaster, Shapiro/Glickenhaus Entertainment, 1995.

Judge, The Misery Brothers, 1995.

Sam Kashawahara, Captured Alive (also known as Deliver Us from Evil), 1995.

Brian (the waiter), Spy Hard (also known as Live and Let Spy), Buena Vista, 1996.

David Leung, Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite (also known as Bloodsport II), Odyssey Entertainment/FM Entertainment, 1996.

Dr. Jefferson, Earth Minus Zero, 1996.

Principal, Reggie's Prayer, Arrow Releasing, 1996.

(As Noriyuki "Pat" Morita) Narrator, Beyond Barbed Wire (documentary), Tribute to Freedom Foundation/Sunwood Entertainment, 1997.

Voice of the emperor of China, Mulan (animated), Buena Vista, 1998.

Genghis Khan, 1998.

Abe Tanaka, I'll Remember April, 1999.

Jubal Early, Coyote Moon (also known as Desert Heat and Inferno), Columbia/TriStar Home Video, 1999.

Voice of samurai, Los Gringos (animated short film), Mediatrip, 1999.

Taka, Talk to Taka (short film), AtomFilms, 2000.

Hammerlock, Castle Hill Productions, 2000.

Charlie Watanabe, The Boys of Sunset Ridge, Porch-Light Entertainment, 2001.

Dr. Oh, Shadow Fury, Lions Gate Films/Phaedra Cinema/Pathfinder Pictures, 2001.

Kwang Luk, House of Luk, Mackinac Media, 2001.

(Uncredited) Man at poker table, Brother, Sony Pictures Classics, 2001.

Taxi driver, The Center of the World, Artisan Entertainment/Summit Entertainment, 2001.

Richard Limp, The Biggest Fan, Quick Feather Productions, 2002.

Professor Stevens, The Stoneman, 2002, Terra Entertainment, 2005.

Kiro, Spymate, Miramax, 2003.

Peter Ong, Rice Girl, Alpha-O Production, 2003.

Unagi, Cats and Mice, Nosmas Pictures, 2003.

Chin Li, The Karate Dog, Crystal Sky Pictures, 2004.

Mr. Lee, 18 Fingers of Death!, Crystal Sky Pictures, 2004.

Ono Yakimoto, Down and Derby, Freestyle Releasing, 2004.

Himself, The Last Shot, Buena Vista, 2004.

Voice of the emperor of China, Mulan II (animated), Buena Vista Home Video, 2004.

Elvis Has Left the Building, Capitol Films, 2004.

Miss Cast Away, Showcase Entertainment, 2004.

Emperor Wang, Genghis Khan, Madison Motion Pictures, 2005.

The Number One Girl, Bauer Martinez Studios, 2005.

Guard, Princess, 2006.

Lao Dong, American Fusion, 2006.

Himself and Mr. Miyagi, Coming Attractions, 2006.

Tom, Angst, Dreamscape Cinema, 2006.

Television Appearances; Series:

Barney Cook, The Queen and I, CBS, 1969.

Ah Chew, Sanford and Son, NBC, 1974–75.

Matsuo Takahashi (Arnold), Happy Days (also known as Happy Days Again), ABC, 1975–76, 1982–83.

Taro "Mr. T" Takahashi, Mr. T and Tina, ABC, 1976.

Arnold, Blansky's Beauties, ABC, 1977.

Lieutenant Ohara (title role), Ohara, ABC, 1987–88.

Voice of Mr. Miyagi, The Karate Kid (animated), NBC, 1989–90.

Grandpa Mike Woo, The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo, Nickelodeon and CanWest Global Television, 1996–99.

Uncle Pat, Adventures with Kango Roddy, Global Learning Channel and PBS, beginning 1998.

Hedeki Tanaka, a recurring role, Baywatch, syndicated, 2000–2001.

Host, Pioneer Living, PBS, beginning 2001.

Television Appearances; Miniseries:

Horse, Alice in Wonderland (also known as Alice through the Looking Glass), CBS, 1985.

Television Appearances; Movies:

Delmar Faulkenstein, A Very Missing Person (also known as Hildegarde Withers), 1972.

The house boy, Columbo: Etude in Black, NBC, 1972.

Turhan, Evil Roy Slade, NBC, 1972.

Sam Wong, Brock's Last Case, NBC, 1973.

Takahashi, Punch and Jody, NBC, 1974.

Zenahiro, Farewell to Manzanar, NBC, 1976.

Waiter, Human Feelings (also known as Miles the Angel), NBC, 1978.

Ishihara, For the Love of It, ABC, 1980.

Yip Tak, The Vegas Strip War (also known as Las Vegas Strip War), NBC, 1984.

Yoodo Toda, Hiroshima: Out of the Ashes, NBC, 1990.

Senator Kevin Naito, Mastergate, HBO, 1992.

Akira "Mooch" Mochizuki, Greyhounds, CBS, 1994.

Ling Goldberg, Hart to Hart: Secrets of the Hart, NBC, 1995.

Y. C. Kung, Singapore Sling: Road to Mandalay (also known as Asian Connection: Road to Mandalay), ABC, 1995.

David Leung, Bloodsport III, HBO, 1996.

Mr. Ono, Gone to Maui, 1999.

Nick Hashimoto, King Cobra (also known as Anaconda 2), Cinemax, 1999.

(MTV English dub) Voice of vice principal Ko, Whasango (also known as Hwasan Highschool and Volcano High), MTV, 2001.

Mr. Leo, Stuey (also known as High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story), Starz!, 2005.

Television Appearances; Specials:

Lola, ABC, 1975, multiple specials in 1976.

Circus of the Stars, CBS, 1977.

The Mad Mad Mad Mad World of the Super Bowl, NBC, 1977.

Human Feelings, 1978.

Host, "Jeeter Mason and the Magic Headset," ABC Weekend Specials, ABC, 1985.

Kenji Sato, Blind Alleys, syndicated, 1985.

Tommy Tanaka, Amos, CBS, 1985.

The toymaster, Babes in Toyland (operetta), NBC, 1986.

What Has Four Wheels and Flies, 1986.

The 12th Annual Circus of the Stars, CBS, 1987.

Host, Funnymen: Triple Crowns of Comedy, Showtime, 1988.

Host, One Plus One, PBS, 1989.

Narrator, "Bamboo Princess," Big Bird in Japan, PBS, 1989.

The Hollywood Christmas Parade, 1989.

Night of 100 Stars III (also known as Night of One Hundred Stars), NBC, 1990.

"Choose Your Own Adventure: The Case of the Silk King," ABC Weekend Specials, ABC, 1992.

The Happy Days Reunion Special, ABC, 1992.

Cap, Living and Working in Space: The Countdown Has Begun, PBS, 1993.

CBS All-American Thanksgiving Parade, CBS, 1993.

Extralarge: Ninja Shadow (also known as Extralarge: L'ombra del guerriero), 1993.

Komedy All Stars, syndicated, 1993.

"Concert of the Americas," The Kennedy Center Presents, PBS, 1994.

Great Moments of Discovery, The Discovery Channel, 1995.

Lamb Chop's Special Chanukah, PBS, 1995.

(Uncredited) Himself, Sports on the Silver Screen (documentary), HBO, 1997.

Narrator, Ancestors in the Americas, Part 2: Chinese in the Frontier West: An American Story, PBS, 1998.

Narrator and voice of the emperor of China, Reflections on Ice: Michelle Kwan Skates to the Music of Disney's "Mulan," ABC, 1998.

TV Guide's Truth behind the Sitcoms 4, Fox, 2000.

Narrator, Ancestors in the Americas (documentary), PBS, 2001.

Himself, TV's Illest Minority Moments Presented by Ego Trip, VH1, 2004.

Himself and Matsuo Takahashi (Arnold), Happy Days: 30th Anniversary Reunion, ABC, 2005.

Television Appearances; Awards Presentations:

Presenter, The 13th Annual People's Choice Awards, 1987.

The 59th Annual Academy Awards Presentation, 1987.

Golden Globe Awards, 1987.

The 47th Annual Golden Globe Awards, 1990.

Television Appearances; Episodic:

Chris Yamato, "The Recruiting Poster," Gomer Pyle, U.S. M.C. (also known as Gomer Pyle), CBS, 1967.

Himself, The Woody Woodbury Show, syndicated, c. 1967.

Toshi, "Love Is under L," The Outsider, NBC, 1968.

Himself, Rowan & Martin's "Laugh-In" (also known as Laugh-In), NBC, 1968.

"Sayonara Dagwood," Blondie, CBS, 1968.

Duke, "The Littlest Kidnapper," The Courtship of Eddie's Father, ABC, 1969.

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, NBC, 1970.

Charlie Lee, "Hawaiian Honeymoon," Green Acres, CBS, 1971.

Jason Wong, "My Son, the Sitter," Nanny and the Professor, ABC, 1971.

Tree surgeon, "Power of the Trees," The Bill Cosby Show, NBC, 1971.

"Love and the Love Potion," Love, American Style, ABC, 1971.

Bartender, "Bob and Emily and Howard and Carol and Jerry," The Bob Newhart Show, CBS, 1972.

Yamata, "Partner's Investment," The Odd Couple, ABC, 1972.

"Just Call Me Mr. Sahigmetsu," Room 222, ABC, 1972.

"Love and Lady Luck," Love, American Style, ABC, 1972.

"Love and the Woman in White," Love, American Style, ABC, 1972.

Captain Sam Pak, "Deal Me Out," M∗A∗S∗H, CBS, 1973.

Mr. Ishi, The Brian Keith Show, NBC, 1973.

Phoebe, "Tricks Are Not Treats," Hawaii Five-O, CBS, 1973.

Captain Sam Pak, "The Chosen People," M∗A∗S∗H, CBS, 1974.

Chuck Yamagata, "The Avenger," Cannon, CBS, 1974.

Mike Matsuto, "Anatomy of Two Rapes," Police Woman, NBC, 1974.

Arthur Chen, "Ambush," Kung Fu, ABC, 1975.

Grady, NBC, 1975.

Colonel Hiakowa, "Sergeant Gork," Sanford and Son, NBC, 1976.

Mr. Takahashi, "Career Day," Welcome Back, Kotter, ABC, 1976.

Matsuo Takahashi (Arnold), "The Graduation: Part 2," Happy Days (also known as Happy Days Again), ABC, 1977.

Moby, "Imp," The Man from Atlantis, NBC, 1977.

Pat Yamaguchi, "Charo Takes Over," Chico and the Man, NBC, 1977.

Vincent, "The Old Man and the Runway/A Fine Romance/The Painters," The Love Boat, ABC, 1977.

The Kallikaks, NBC, 1977.

Fred, "Stop the Presses," The Incredible Hulk, CBS, 1978.

Jewelry store owner, "The Trap," Starsky and Hutch, ABC, 1978.

Tycoon, "Gopher the Rebel/Cabin Fever/Pacific Princess Overtures," The Love Boat, ABC, 1978.

Matsuo Takahashi (Arnold), "Fonzie's Funeral: Part 2," Happy Days (also known as Happy Days Again), ABC, 1979.

Dr. Sao Tung Loa, Bizarre, Showtime, 1980.

Mr. Wong, "Separate Tables," Laverne and Shirley, ABC, 1980.

"Keep on Buckin'," Lobo, NBC, 1981.

Aloha Paradise, ABC, 1981.

Ike Tatsumi, "Recovery," Lou Grant, CBS, 1982.

Jack Metro, "One More Summer," Magnum, P.I., CBS, 1982.

Joe, "Voyage to the Planet of the Dumb," Pryor's Place, CBS, 1984.

Chip, "Mooses, Masons, and the Secret Life of Trees," Good Grief, Fox, 1990.

"The Contractor from Hell," What a Dummy, syndicated, 1990.

Charlie, "Exorcising with Dave Barry," Dave's World, CBS, 1993.

Nasser, "Fort Hope," Space Rangers, CBS, 1993.

Mr. Yoshi, "Love Hurts," The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, NBC, 1994.

Akira Hitaki, "Kendo Killing," Murder, She Wrote, CBS, 1995.

Boots McKay, "Who Killed the Motor Car Maverick?," Burke's Law, CBS, 1995.

Voice of King Makahana, "Puss in Boots," Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (animated), HBO, 1995.

Wise man, "I Was a Teenage Spy," Boy Meets World, ABC, 1995.

"In the Zone," The Outer Limits, Showtime and syndicated, 1995.

Judge, "Kingmare on Night Street," One West Waikiki, syndicated, 1996.

Mr. Shimokawa, "Turning Japanese," Married … with Children, Fox, 1996.

Wise man, "I Was a Teenage Spy," Boy Meets World, ABC, 1996.

Martin Gaylord, "Food Fight," Diagnosis Murder, CBS, 1998.

Michael Chen, "In the Zone," The Outer Limits, Showtime and syndicated, 1998.

Mr. Tanaka, "Grill of My Dreams," Family Matters, ABC, 1998.

Mr. Chu, "Caroline and the Ultimatum," Caroline in the City (also known as Caroline), NBC, 1999.

Redd Foxx: The E! True Hollywood Story (documentary), E! Entertainment Network, 1999.

Mr. Park, "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?," The Hughleys, UPN, 2000.

Mr. Park, "His Park Is Worse Than the Bite," The Hughleys, UPN, 2000.

Mr. Park, "Seoul Brother Next Door," The Hughleys, UPN, 2000.

King Kumonya, "B. J. Blue Hawaii," Son of the Beach, FX Channel, 2001.

"Yes Master," Body & Soul, PAX TV, 2001.

Himself, Spy TV, NBC, 2002.

Trainer, "When Jimmy Met Greggy," Yes, Dear, CBS, 2003.

Voice of himself, S&M Present," Robot Chicken (animated), Cartoon Network, 2005.

While credited as Noriyuki Morita, appeared in "Touched by a Reindeer," an unaired episode of First Years, NBC.

Television Appearances; Pilots:

Captain Irving Ho, Cops, CBS, 1973.

Tomo, The Barbara Eden Show, ABC, 1973.

Waiter, Wives, CBS, 1975.

Arnold, Blansky's Beauties, ABC, 1977.

Professor Mishugi, Young Guy Christian, ABC, 1979.

Kazi Yamamora, Crash Island, NBC, 1981.

Television Series; Creator:

Ohara, ABC, 1987–88.

Stage Appearances:

Night of 100 Stars III (also known as Night of One Hundred Stars), Radio City Music Hall, New York City, 1990.

Major Tours:

Felix Unger, The Odd Couple, U.S. cities, 2003.

RECORDINGS

Videos:

Rear admiral Ryunosuke Kusaka, The Making of "Midway" (short documentary), Universal Studios Home Video, 2001.

Video Games:

The emperor of China, Mulan Story Studio, Disney Interactive, 1998.

Voice of the emperor of China, Kingdom Hearts II, Square Electronic Arts/Square Enix, 2005.

Music Videos:

Alien Ant Farm, "Movies," 2001.

WRITINGS

Screenplays:

Captive Hearts (also known as Fate of a Hunter), United Artists, 1987.

OTHER SOURCES

Books:

Asian American Almanac, Gale, 1995.

Notable Asian Americans, Gale, 1995.

Periodicals:

Entertainment Weekly, December 22, 1995, p. 79.

Jet, July 21, 1986, pp. 38-39.

Parade, February 21, 1988, p. 22.

People Weekly, June 30, 1986, pp. 101-102.