Pat Morita dies

Nov 25, 2005 by Ian Evans

Pat Morita, who earned an Academy Award nomination for his performance as Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid, has died at the age of 73.

Currently there are conflicting reports about the reason. His daughter said the Happy Days actor died of heart failure, while his manager said Morita died of kidney failure at a hospital while awaiting a transplant.

His Karate Kid co-star, Ralph Macchio, said in a statement that, “It was both my honor and privilege to have worked with him and create a bit of cinema magic together. My life is all the richer for having known him. I will miss his genuine friendship.”