Noriyuki "Pat" Morita Movies
Best known to audiences as Mr. Miyagi, Ralph Macchio's mentor in the "wax on, wax off" school of combat in the 1984 hit The Karate Kid, Noriyuki "Pat" Morita is the most prominent Japanese-American actor of his generation. Morita is also well known for having played Arnold, the amiable diner owner on the hit television series Happy Days, for two non-consecutive seasons (1975-1976 and 1982-1983). His status as one of the most familiar actors of Asian descent kept him working in a variety of projects throughout the 1980s and '90s.Having spent part of his youth in a Japanese internment camp during World War II, Morita nonetheless emerged with his sense of humor intact, giving up work as a computer programmer to concentrate on stand-up comedy in the early '60s. After a number of nightclub and TV variety show appearances, Morita found his first film role in 1967's Thoroughly Modern Millie as a stereotypical ethnic henchman. His natural affability soon began shining through, winning Morita his role on Happy Days for the 1975-1976 season. As Arnold, Morita interacted with Richie, Fonzie, and company with a memorable combination of good humor and exasperation. He returned to the gig in 1982-1983 after a failed attempt to front his own series (the critically lambasted Mr. T and Tina in 1976), a number of small film roles, and guest appearances on such shows as The Love Boat and Magnum P.I.
His major pop culture breakthrough was the role of janitor and karate master Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid. An eccentric tutor who at first appears to be using his student for an endless variety of household chores, Miyagi soon reveals the method behind his training, turning the scrawny Daniel (Macchio) into a confident fighter, while also instilling an important message that violence should remain a last resort. The exceedingly popular film made Morita a household name, and audiences were left with the indelible image of a jolly and wise old soul trying desperately to catch a fly with a pair of chopsticks. Morita reprised the role for the two sequels starring Macchio in (1986 and 1989), as well as The Next Karate Kid, which starred future Oscar winner Hilary Swank, in 1994.
In the late '80s, Morita found the success that had previously eluded him in television solo efforts with the two-season detective series Ohara (1987-1989). In 1987, he also wrote and starred in the World War II romance Captive Hearts, a film about a pilot shot down over Japan who falls in love with a village woman. Morita plays the village elder who saves the young pilot from execution.
Morita spent the 1990s continuing to work regularly as a character actor in both television and movies. His film roles included Honeymoon in Vegas (1992), Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1993,) and vocal work as the Emperor in Disney's Mulan (1998). He guest starred on such shows as The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Diagnosis Murder, and The Hughleys, and had a recurring role as Mr. Tanaka on Baywatch. ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi
An international beauty pageant sets the stage for a fierce fight between Hollywood's biggest action star and a vengeful Mafia godfather in director Luc Campeau's pulse-pounding tale of beauty and broken bones. Undefeated full-contact martial arts champion Joey Scalini (Tony Schiena) has taken Tinseltown by storm, but when his life-long friend and London mob heavy Dragos Molnar (Vinnie Jones) requests that Joey serve as guest judge on a televised beauty pageant hosted by the popular Mr. Sakata (Pat Morita), Joey agrees to take a brief detour to the small screen. Despite Dragos' dire warnings to stay away from the top four contestants, Joey finds his ability to abide by the rules wavering when he is irresistibly drawn to beautiful pageant hopeful Tatiana (Lisa McAllister). Upon discovering that his old friend has willfully gone against his clear and concise demands, Dragos determines to teach Joey a painful lesson in loyalty as a nation of stunned television viewers looks on. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Vinnie Jones, Tony Schiena, (more)
How would you react if the frontman for your favorite boy band came knocking on your door looking for a place to hide out? It may be more trouble than it's worth, as a star-stricken teen discovers in this comedy that drives home the age-old adage "be careful what you wish for." Chris Trousdale is the singer for Dream Street, the most popular boy band ever to fill an arena. When he opts to take a breather from fame by crashing at the house of his number one fan, her world is turned upside down at the prospect of spending some personal time with her own personal American idol. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Chris Trousdale, Kaila Amariah, (more)
- 2001
From PBS comes the 18-part Pioneer Living Series. Hosted by actor Noriyuki "Pat" Morita and featuring reports from several ethnically diverse correspondents, the programs offer looks at the American experience that are designed especially for viewers of non-American origin. The eighth module is entitled Pioneer Living Series: Understanding Islam and covers the impact of and reactions to Muslims in the United States. Each episode runs approximately 13 minutes. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- 2001
From PBS comes the 18-part Pioneer Living Series. Hosted by actor Noriyuki "Pat" Morita and featuring reports from several ethnically diverse correspondents, the programs offer looks at the American experience that are designed especially for viewers of non-American origin. The ninth module is entitled Pioneer Living Series: Those Strange Americans! and attempts to separate fact from Hollywood-fiction when it comes to American customs and culture. Each episode runs approximately 13 minutes. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- 2001
From PBS comes the 18-part Pioneer Living Series. Hosted by actor Noriyuki "Pat" Morita and featuring reports from several ethnically diverse correspondents, the programs offer looks at the American experience that are designed especially for viewers of non-American origin. The fifth module is entitled Pioneer Living Series: Cultures That May Hinder Success and features a discussion of those cultural beliefs and customs that can cause problems for newcomers. Each episode runs approximately 13 minutes. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- 2001
From PBS comes the 18-part Pioneer Living Series. Hosted by actor Noriyuki "Pat" Morita and featuring reports from several ethnically diverse correspondents, the programs offer looks at the American experience that are designed especially for viewers of non-American origin. The 12th module is entitled Pioneer Living Series: High-tech Pioneers and covers America's technology industry. Ethnically diverse professionals are featured, presenting insight into different fields of the electronic world. Each episode runs approximately 13 minutes. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- 2001
From PBS comes the 18-part Pioneer Living Series. Hosted by actor Noriyuki "Pat" Morita and featuring reports from several ethnically diverse correspondents, the programs offer looks at the American experience that are designed especially for viewers of non-American origin. The tenth module is entitled Pioneer Living Series: Dealing With Bigotry and Stereotypes and offers personal accounts and advice regarding the different kinds of prejudice faced by immigrants in the United States. Each episode runs approximately 13 minutes. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- 2001
From PBS comes the 18-part Pioneer Living Series. Hosted by actor Noriyuki "Pat" Morita and featuring reports from several ethnically diverse correspondents, the programs offer looks at the American experience that are designed especially for viewers of non-American origin. The 11th module is entitled Pioneer Living Series: Minority Health Focus and features information from doctors on diseases that are more common in specific ethnic groups. The advice offered is designed to help viewers protect themselves. Each episode runs approximately 13 minutes. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- 2001
From PBS comes the 18-part Pioneer Living Series. Hosted by actor Noriyuki "Pat" Morita and featuring reports from several ethnically diverse correspondents, the programs offer looks at the American experience that are designed especially for viewers of non-American origin. The third module is entitled Pioneer Living Series: No Irish Need Apply and discusses early American immigrants integration into and influence on society. Each episode runs approximately 13 minutes. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- 2001
From PBS comes the 18-part Pioneer Living Series. Hosted by actor Noriyuki "Pat" Morita and featuring reports from several ethnically diverse correspondents, the programs offer looks at the American experience that are designed especially for viewers of non-American origin. The second module is entitled Pioneer Living Series: Moving Beyond the "Diversity Lingo" and discusses the state of minorities in the workplace. Each episode runs approximately 13 minutes. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- 2001
From PBS comes the 18-part Pioneer Living Series. Hosted by actor Noriyuki "Pat" Morita and featuring reports from several ethnically diverse correspondents, the programs offer looks at the American experience that are designed especially for viewers of non-American origin. The sixth module is entitled Pioneer Living Series: A Short Course in Civic Duty and discusses the legal requirements and responsibilities involved in living in the United States and becoming a citizen. Each episode runs approximately 13 minutes. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- 2001
From PBS comes the 18-part Pioneer Living Series. Hosted by actor Noriyuki "Pat" Morita and featuring reports from several ethnically diverse correspondents, the programs offer looks at the American experience that are designed especially for viewers of non-American origin. The fourth module is entitled Pioneer Living Series: Adapting to a New Culture and features American immigrants discussing the different variables and steps involved in understanding a foreign culture. Each episode runs approximately 13 minutes. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- 2001
From PBS comes the 18-part Pioneer Living Series. Hosted by actor Noriyuki "Pat" Morita and featuring reports from several ethnically diverse correspondents, the programs offer looks at the American experience that are designed especially for viewers of non-American origin. The first module is entitled Pioneer Living Series: Are YOU a Pioneer? and provides viewers with an introduction to the series. Each episode runs approximately 13 minutes. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- 2001
From PBS comes the 18-part Pioneer Living Series. Hosted by actor Noriyuki "Pat" Morita and featuring reports from several ethnically diverse correspondents, the programs offer looks at the American experience that are designed especially for viewers of non-American origin. The seventh module is entitled Pioneer Living Series: Bretholz and Lukowski - Defeating Hitler and Stalin and includes commentaries from those who survived the genocidal atrocities of World War II. Each episode runs approximately 13 minutes. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- 1999
Baseball came to Japan in 1870 as part of an idea to embrace rising Western values. Along the way, it was infused with the spirit of perseverance and harmony that characterized Japanese culture. When the Japanese settled in America in the late 1800s, they brought baseball with them. Soon, professional teams were organized and games were being played in Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. However, much of this activity came to a sudden halt in the 1940s with the construction of interment camps for Japanese-Americans. Though they were imprisoned, many players retained their competitive spirit. One such athlete was Kenichi Zenimura also known as Zeni. Diamonds in the Rough: The Legend of Japanese-American Baseball is his story. Named the Father of Japanese-American Baseball, Zeni led a generation of baseball fans in their appreciation of the sport. Noriyuki "Pat" Morita narrates this heartfelt examination of baseball's hidden history. ~ Sarah Ing, Rovi
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