Pat Morita discusses getting cast as Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid

See the full interview at emmytvlegends.org/interviews/p...

[@FreakDaMIghet]

I always thought his Japanese accent was real...

[@HumorousLOL]

Hearing his real voice throws me off. His acting was so amazing that you can actually believe his Japanese accent is super thick.

[@BXBZ88]

A real shame he didn't get the 'oscar'...A true cultural iconic role he created.

[@fRo0tLo0p]

Mr. Miyagi, the best friend any of us bullied kids ever had.

[@taang101]

of course he speaks good english! he was born in raised in california lol.

[@mnoorist8223]

this guy made the movie. without him the movie would have been shit

[@dacycane7132]

Yea his voice definitely caught me off guard.

[@PedroGarcia1961]

Pat Morita was superb in the Karate Kid as was Ralph Macchio, and talk about chemistry, they sure had it in this film. May he rest in peace.

[@KTSpeedruns]

Look eye. Always look eye.

[@callmedanab]

Pat Morita is an intelligent man. His talent is missed!

[@MeLexdy]

wax on wax off man, you cant dislike this man..

[@Koldeman]

For 1980's kids, we gleaned a lot of really wise life lessons from the likes of Yoda and Mr. Miyagi. It isn't until now that I realize just how much characters like these shaped my outlook on life and how to interact with other people. Fantastic performance by a truly remarkable man. Rest well, Mr. Morita.

[@kizunadragon9]

this beautiful human being single handedly inspired me to study the martial arts, thank you Pat from my 10 year old self.

[@HatesStupidPeople194]

fucking legend here. Couldn't imagine anyone else playing Mr. Miyagi.

[@aytac007]

if he bamboozles people with hes accent that shows what a good actor he was, im so glad they gave him the part, I cant imagine anyone else playing the legendary mr miyagi, if you ask anyone that's over 25 on the planet they would know about the original karate kid.

[@MeLexdy]

Pat Morita was born in Isleton, California.He developed spinal tuberculosis at the age of two and spent the bulk of the next nine years in Northern Californian hospitals. For long periods he was wrapped in a full-body cast and was told he would never walk. After a surgeon fused four vertebrae in his spine, Pat finally learned to walk again at the age of 11. By then, his Japanese American family had been sent to an internment camp to be detained for the duration of World War II. - wikipedia

[@T1000AX]

the funny thing is how well spoken he is when you remember him from karate kid. great actor.

[@trarera_7227]

I love Mr Miyagi.

[@shades1756]

Rest in peace, my friend. You are missed.

[@Mintsauce27]

I suppose Pat was a father figure to a lot of guys (& gals) growing up during the 80's - Why he is so loved.

[@miralabualjadail4206]

R.I.P :(

[@Doron6669]

I also think that the Miyagi character was worthy of a nomination at the very least. Truly inspirational to the kids of the 80's and beyond.

[@jonnynelson5734]

Behind Chuck Norris' beard is Pat Moreta's fist.

[@AdamGomez87]

I'd like to think that Chuck Norris' fist contains the knuckles of many great awesome people xD

[@raymondgallegos2582]

Of all the actors that have passed away, I miss Pat the most.

[@Burnsengine]

Did anyone else bust out laughing at the end of this?? PUt a smile on my face :)

[@jmahrky]

the only person that could play mr. miyagi!

[@TheCoolProfessor]

We miss you Miyagi-san.

[@Ferrinas1]

He was perfect as Mr Miyagi :), rip Pat you were one of a kind :) xx

[@ryan49er1]

Best character = Mr Miyagi.....Best human being = Pat Morita

[@TheRammMan]

WOW.. first time I've heard him away from the movie! So sad when he passed away.

[@jacobew2000]

On of my most favorite actors of all time. RIP Pat Morita, aka Mr Miyagi! You have no idea how many kids in the 1980s and 1990s you influenced into getting into the martial arts.I was one of them!

[@DonCorleone87]

he's such a gentleman... and it's weird hearing him without a Japanese accent but he is an American haha

[@moonstruck1022]

Omg!! I've never heard his real voice before! I only knew his "Miyagi" voice. Love him. He's so cute

[@sekhmetbastet]

Happy Birthday Pat Morita (Jun 28, 1932 - Nov 24, 2005)

[@SoldierAndrew]

He stated in a t.v. interview that he never studied Kara te in his life. He was a comedian & actor. He started in stand up and then was in Sanford & Son.

[@FKITMANE]

never knew he was such a talented voice actor. one of his last roles was on Sponge Bob

[@VarianNash]

Wow! I don't think I had ever heard him speak in interviews. Does suck that he's gone. Damn good actor. And usually, the best comedians do the best serious roles. He pulled it off like it was nothing.

[@sbchrist]

Miyagi always inhabits Morita. That ending at 6:26.

[@Alpha-Trion7]

6:26, magical.... I luv this guy. RIP. :(

[@samusaran181818]

I love hearing these kinds of stories. I mistakenly believe that fame and success comes so easily to actors-they're just given a part. It's very helpful to hear about how persistent they were in the face of rejection and difficulties.

[@TheELiTeintruder]

rip...you inspred me....and it influenced my life ..today im a second dan black belt..my character has changed for the better cause of my martial arts....because of karate kid...for reall....amazing,,im a better person...

[@vortex162]

The ONLY Miyagi ever!!!!!! Love the character he embodied!!!

[@alwayscoca-cola6487]

Pat Morita - LEGEND

[@jedijones]

Punchline of the story earned the thumbs up all by itself.

[@daniel1982641]

RIP Sensei Miyagi

[@mhz23]

Such a great impressionist. That Weintraub is gold.

[@paulod27]

Pat Morita was brilliant in those films!

[@MechaOut]

A true legend, And stays on my idol list forever. RIP Pat Morita, may you truely rest in peace.

[@toolkien]

I realize not everyone watched MASH, but one of the first parts I saw Pat Morita play was on MASH and he didn't use an accent. It was later, in pretty much all his later roles that he had an accent. Funny how it is reversed for some and his american accent comes as no surprise.

[@BigDJr777]

R.I.P. MR Miyagi!

[@jeremykiahsobyk102]

This guy was my hero growing up. Love seeing interviews like this.

[@Paralyzer]

rest in peace pat. you are awesome. We will never forget you. one of the best asian actors of all time . you are with god now pat.

[@Articulate20]

One of the happiest times of life then was growing up & wishing you had a mentor like Mr. Miyagi!! God Bless Your Soul Pat Morita thank you for bringing such a lovable & much adored character to life with great deal of your personal touch!!! Forever The Sensei!!!!:-)

[@Jaklegacy1]

R.I.P Noriyuki ''Pat'' Morita. 6-28-1932 - 11-24-2005.

[@rkmugen]

It's probably just the Trekkie/Trekker in me... but I believe Mr. Morita would've also done great in Star Trek (TOS or TNG). Fleet Admiral Miyagi.... like the sound of that!

[@joedavino4979]

What a legend god bless you pat

[@PlanTonto]

I started Martial Arts in the 80' because of this movie. I was scared out of mind, not knowing if I was going to spar on my first day and get my butt whooped. I stayed for many years with the same Grandmaster, a Korean guy. I learned Hap-Ki-Do. It was the most fulfilling thing I had ever done in my life. Not only did I learn skills of the self-defense type, but my GM imparted life lessons also.When I would come to class in bad mood, he would put me w/ black belt and spar..LOL I learned quick

[@ftegger4347899]

I remember seeing Pat in Happy Days so I knew he had a perfect American accent.

[@TheEchovoices]

God Bless Him, Gone Too Soon, Wonderful Human Being, Great Actor

[@MGBguy72]

Pat Morita was perfectly cast in such an iconic role. Perhaps not an Oscar worthy role, but most entertaining as any character well portrayed on film. What a likeable human being regardless of his cinematic success.

[@roo7227]

It was a fantastic role, and he was nominated for Actor in a Supporting Role.. And if it wasn't for Haing S. Ngor's harrowing performance as "Dith Pran," in 'The Killing Fields,' Morita would have surely won.. Any other year..

[@OpportuneJoey]

He was nominated for an Oscar for his role haha. I think he actually got it.

[@roo7227]

Nope.. Haing S Ngor won for 'The Killing Fields'..

[@OpportuneJoey]

Well he at least was still nominated

[@edberg1873]

Great man! He will be missed always!

[@madmike6942]

R.I.P😢

[@LVLouisCyphre]

RIP Mr. Morita. You are well missed.

[@millcityflexxx4770]

R.I.P......MR MIYAGI ....

[@parrottlm]

Great interview! Part of my childhood! RIP Pat Morita aka Mr Myagi aka the badass! Always miss you bro!

[@purplemutantas]

Imagine that, an American sounding American.

[@binarystar21]

RIP to this great man!

[@3UZFE]

This guy. What a Legend.

[@GOGOLIFE1991]

Rip Patt. He will be missed

[@crosswire7777]

What a talented and charismatic man. RIP Pat Morita

[@virginiarubino4111]

I always thought that The Karate Kid would have made a great tv series as long as they had used Pat Morita. They certainly missed a great opportunity. I love him as Mr. Miyagi.

[@MisterObjectivity]

You know what? That's one of the best ideas I've heard. However, I'd twist it a bit: I'd make it a spinoff of sorts, with the central focus on Mr Miyagi. It would've been his show, and he could've helped people with their problems (spiritually and physically), like a cross between "Highway to Heaven" and "The Equalizer", leaning closer to the former. I'm not sure if you're old enough to recall, but Pat Morita did have his own TV series following his career revival that started with "The Karate Kid", a cop show called "Ohara". There was also a "Karate Kid" cartoon series, for which Pat Morita provided his voice, but no, they never did make a live action TV series based on "The Karate Kid".

[@orangie84]

People!!! Pat was born and raised in the United States!! His "PARENTS" were from Japan.. But not Pat Morita... Pat is an "American" actor.. And spoke with an American accent.. Just like anyone else from America.. But now just think about it.. He really was such a great actor if he was able to fool some people into believing he was Japanese.. But funny thing is, I remember when this movie came out and a lot of people at that time were laughing at his phony Japanese accent.. (because we knew him from other roles he had played but knew he was american.. There were even real Japanese people that were even saying how fake the accent was.. But his acting pulled it off and made it seam very real.. Anyone can fake an accent.. But very few can fool a lot of people and create an iconic character all at the same time.. He truly became and was Mr. Miyagi! It's almost like he became two different people! (Actually Pat was Miyagi's twin american brother... (>0)

[@ashkrikorian5753]

lol Pat was awesome, his ending here is amazing!

[@desireealicea]

So strange to hear him with an American accent, even though I knew his Miyagi voice wasn't authentic. Excellent actor.

[@2degucitas]

It's been proven over and over that comics have great acting chops.

[@iwanfishz9]

to me he will always be my miyagi

[@willtheprodigy3819]

So weird hearing him talk like this o.o

[@Mr786Addzy]

Awesome! What a Great Human Being. Brilliant Person! R.I.P

[@vaccumsealed]

Pats right. Being Arnold to being Mr. Miagi is two opposite ends of the spectrum, but can u imagine anyone else in that role? Don't even say Jackie cause hes not Pat Morita. (no offense to Jackie though).

[@Mega90900]

Pat Morita, True Gentlemen!!!!!

[@AquaSkull13]

R.I.P Pat morita/ mr miyagi :( u were my favourite karate kid character

[@Germtalia]

What a wonderful man

[@TeamKuukiFoodGames]

LOL that last part was so sweet. idk, i mean jus to hear him bring out that miyagi character, and knowing about some of his past, then to hear that original laugh of his lol

[@jcextranow]

Wow he was Versatile and Amazing in his Talent.

[@Pally356]

Its weird to hear him without his accent from the movie.

[@PromotingTheBeat]

What a pleasant explanation with a nice ending that made me literally laugh :D

[@edsilvas19]

Great actor.

[@Cappello101]

You will always serve as an inspiration Pat. God rest your soul!

[@denton908]

This entire interview is awesome!

[@leebrandon3842]

"kindly remove bottles from truck boy cold, kindly remove them yourself mr moto, eeeeeeyyaaaaaa", "howd you do that howd you do that? don't know first time."

[@scott93257]

I always thought it was too. Then I watched Ohara and thought "Hey where did his accent go." Recently I saw an interview and he basically dreamed up what Myagi should sound like and he went with it. According to Mr. Morita, he just didn't quite know where it came from (something to that extent) RIP Mr. Miyagi Pat Morita. One of the greatest and most beloved actors of our time.

[@nicholasrickfordpavlovic-g2886]

His accent in the movie though was not at all Japanese, more a generic drop all prepositions sort of thing, but somehow it was good for character.

[@vardellsfolly5200]

For some strange reason,his miyagi performance reminds me of splinter from the teenage mutant ninja turtles..

[@marvelmax03191]

... I have no words right now... I have never heard Mr. Miyagi in real life.

[@mannzymunster]

How very touching.

[@TaylorGangTGOD831]

@Mintsauce27 I'm a 90s baby and that movie is still one of my favorites Jackie and jaden come no where close to pat and Ralph

[@Chris-yr6io]

Everybody that is surprised about his voice, you are aware that he was born in America right?

[@president197961]

That's beautiful!

[@pyxis9264]

Kool video and insight - awesome guy!

[@72melmo]

I think you have to be as old as me or older to not be shocked to hear Pat Morita using his real accent. I remember Arnold Takahashi,