Pat Morita
Japanese-American actor (1932-2005) · United States · On the map · Actors · Died at 73
Noriyuki "Pat" Morita was an American actor and comedian. He began his career as a stand-up comedian, before becoming known to television audiences for his recurring role as diner owner Matsuo "Arnold" Takahashi on the sitcom series Happy Days from 1975 to 1983.
Pat Morita is read about 2,141 times a day, in 41 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 11 November 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 400 days, one point a day.
Something wrong?A life in dates
Elvis Has Left the BuildingFilm, Man in Turban2001
The Center of the WorldFilm, Taxi Driver2000
BrotherFilm, Guy at the Poker Table1998
MulanFilm, The Emperor (voice)1994
Even Cowgirls Get the BluesFilm, The Chink1993
Boy Meets WorldSeries, Wise Man1992
Auntie Lee's Meat PiesFilm, Chief Koal1989
Family MattersSeries, Mr. Tanaka
Collision CourseFilm, 1989Investigator Fujitsuka Natsuo1984
Murder, She WroteSeries, Akira Hitaki
Night PatrolFilm, 1984Rape Victim1982
Savannah SmilesFilm, Father O'Hara1980
When Time Ran Out...Film, Sam1977
Lou GrantSeries, Ike Tatsumi1975
Starsky & HutchSeries, Jewelry Store Owner1972
M*A*S*HSeries, Captain Sam Pak
Evil Roy SladeFilm, 1972Turhan1969
Hawaii Five-OSeries, Phoebe1967
Thoroughly Modern MillieFilm, Oriental #21962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonSeries1944
Golden Globe AwardsSeries1932Born28 June 1932People around Pat
John G. Avildsen Directed The Karate Kid (1984)
Jerry Weintraub Produced The Karate Kid (1984)
Bill Conti Wrote The Karate Kid and The Karate Kid Part II- Bob Clark Directed I'll Remember April and The Karate Dog
Soon-Tek Oh Also in M*A*S*H, Collision Course and Mulan
Ralph Macchio Also in The Karate Kid Part II (1986)
James Hong Also in Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite (1996)
BD Wong Also in The Karate Kid Part II and Mulan
James Shigeta Also in Brother, Midway and Mulan
Martin Kove Also in The Karate Kid (1984)
Edward Albert Also in When Time Ran Out and Midway
Erik Estrada Also in Do or Die, Midway and King Cobra- Frances Bay Also in The Karate Kid and Happy Days
Jerry Paris Directed Blansky's Beauties
Clyde Kusatsu Also in M*A*S*H, Midway and Spy Hard
Daniel Bernhardt Also in Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite (1996)
James Goldstone Directed When Time Ran Out (1980)
Robert Mark Kamen Wrote The Karate Kid Part II and The Karate Kid- Danny Kamekona Also in The Karate Kid Part II (1986)
- Jack Riley Also in M*A*S*H, Happy Days and Night Patrol
- Pat E. Johnson Also in The Karate Kid (1984)
James Lew Also in American Ninja V and Do or Die
Irwin Allen Produced When Time Ran Out (1980)
Ovidio G. Assonitis Produced American Ninja V (1993)
Pat MoritaPartners
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Mulan 1998
The Karate Kid 1984
Brother 2000
Thoroughly Modern Millie 1967
Midway 1976
Also in Deutsch
Filmography 40
177 credits on file
Television 24
Media & music
Photos 6
Photo of Arnold's wedding from Happy Days. Arnold asks Fonzie (Henry Winkler) to be his best man at his traditional Japanese wedding ceremony.
Arnold Takahashi with Richie (Ron Howard, left) on the TV series Happy Days in the 1975-76 season.
President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan posing for photos with Pat and Yuki Morita in 1987
Morita in 2002
The handprints of Pat Morita in front of The Great Movie Ride at Walt Disney World's Disney's Hollywood Studios theme parkAwards
About this person
Morita was subsequently nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of martial arts mentor Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid (1984), which would be the first of a media franchise in which Morita was the central player.
