Pat Morita
Actor
About This Interview
Pat Morita (1932-2005) was interviewed for nearly three-and-a-half hours in Las Vegas, NV. During his interview, Mr. Morita talked about his early years, including his childhood internment in a camp in California for Japanese-Americans during World War II. Mr. Morita turned to comedy performance at the age of 30, and quickly rose to his television debut on Hollywood Palace. After performing on stage and television, he landed a regular role on Happy Days as Arnold. He also appeared on Sanford and Son and spoke fondly of his mentor, the late Redd Foxx. He also spoke of his work on the "Karate Kid" feature films and his current life and career. The interview was conducted by Karen Herman on October 13, 2000.
Related To This Video
Featured Content
Embeddable playlist of selections from Pat Morita's Archive interview:
YouTube video player - HTML5 compatible.
Highlights
On his early comedy career including guesting on Hollywood Palace; on transitioning to acting and guesting on TV series including M*A*S*H; Love, American Style
Clip begins at: 00:30
Pat Morita on being a regular (as "Arnold") on Happy Days
Clip begins at: 00:26, Duration: 29m 34s
On starring in The Karate Kid feature films
Clip begins at: 12:24, Duration: 09m 54s
Pat Morita on his longtime friendship with Redd Foxx; and on appearing as a regular on Sanford and Son
Clip begins at: 13:59, Duration: 15m 11s- Pat Morita on appearing in the 1976 TV movie Farewell to Manzanar
Clip begins at: 05:04, Duration: 07m 20s
Interview
- Part 1
- Introduction
Clip begins at: 0:22 - On his early years (and how he got the name "Pat"; on being hospitalized as a child; on his life in a Japanese internment camp during World War II
Clip begins at: 00:35 - Part 2
- On his education and his aspirations; on working in an office job at an aeronautics company
Clip begins at: 0:46 - On making the decision to be a stand-up comic and beginning to pursue his dream
Clip begins at: 17:54 - Part 3
- On his early comedy career including guesting on Hollywood Palace; on transitioning to acting and guesting on TV series including M*A*S*H; Love, American Style
Clip begins at: 0:0 - Part 4
- On being a regular (as "Arnold") on Happy Days
Clip begins at: 0:0 - Part 5
- On being a regular (as "Arnold") on Happy Days; on some of his castmates
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On starring in Mr. T. and Tina
Clip begins at: 06:55 - On his longtime friendship with Redd Foxx; and on appearing as a regular on Sanford & Son
Clip begins at: 13:59 - Part 6
- On Redd Foxx (cont.); on appearing in Blansky's Beauties
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On appearing in the 1976 TV movie Farewell to Manzanar
Clip begins at: 05:04 - On starring in The Karate Kid feature films
Clip begins at: 12:24 - On starring in the short-lived series Ohara
Clip begins at: 22:18 - Part 7
- On Amos, Babes in Toyland, Greyhounds, and other projects; on his advice to aspring actors; on how he would like to be remembered
Clip begins at: 0:22
Shows
People
I've enjoyed a lot of his work. Happy Days is my favorite work of his. R.I.P. Pat!
This interview is very very very important. Appreciation for your archive and for making Pat Morita a part of it.
YEEEEES, I so remember the ep where Arnold gets married. That was just awesome. All Arnold! Everyone learned about Japanese culture, including me. I'm Japanese btw [American born]...love me Arnold=)
@TheStrawberryLolicon No i don't think so. But as americans, it's our duty to think that he's fluent, and that he sucks at english. We already let black people feel american... we can't let other non-whites think they are "fully" american... we need to make sure they know they are always foreigners first.
R.I.P Pat Morita, we'll always remember you.
I haven't watch the whole interview but does this guy speak Japanese at all?
Like a boss.
i will always remember his japanese accent
He has such a genuine, heartfelt laugh. I love that.
Wow. I love biographies and I love interviews. I just discovered these Archive Interviews and they are wonderful. I look forward to watching all of them.
he has a great Irish accent lol
RIP PAT MORITA
He always looks so full of wisdom.
I love The Karate Kid and I love Him in it.... I hope he Rests in Peace. I just wish he could be alive till this very day. We love you Mr. Miyagi!!! We will always love you....
Man, he can do impressions too!
You can tell by his diction that he has acquired a lot of wisdom, enough to rival that of his most famous character or even surpass it.
You can he was a very sincere and open hearted man. This always came across in his acting or even his comedy. I remmeber him as "Arnold" from Happy Days show. His roll as Mr. Miyagi will always shine and withstand the annels of time. The chemistry between him and Ralph Macchio was great. I'm sure they treasured that . It was too bad that "The Kararte Kid" did not win any Academy Awards! Can you phanthom tthat? PURPLE RAIN!$#** Rest peacefully Pat..
dang i didnt notice mr miyagi died!
The 4 People are from Cobra Kai dojo
Epic actor!!!
@shalommeodedff7 He spoke like a natural-born American because that's what he was.
the good old days!
@SugeeMcLeLe the guy is a straight up legend, especially in karate kid. may he rest in peace
Very fascinating video about Pat's history.
wow man that sucks that this guy passed away :(
R.I.P
he was so funny from sandford and son
Rest in Peace. No one can do it like him
@superpumpernickel here here couldn't agree more!
@ShaolinMaster1986 Nice!
@felsner1 Nice! well said... sums him up beautifully!
r.i.p
@MultiRJ69 i find it disrespectful you using a deceased person to gratify your jollies of getting youtube thumbs up, like that's such an important thing..
what brought me here was that i was watching a history video and it said the narrator was named noriyuke pat morita and i was thinking "no...it couldn't be" because he didn't have that accent (only knew basically from karate kid)
well now i know that he is just really good at accents.
I MISS HIM SO MUCH!!!!
geez i hope i acomplishe alot before i pass away
he was on Happy Days? huh, I did not know that.
Amazing... He just kept getting better as he got older! - Awesome story teller - could have easy listened to more...
@kabal99 Same here - awesome guy..... what more can I say.
This guy says some realy interesting stuff - 18.30 worth listening to.
Funny when he says in this interview "I never win anything, but I love being nominated for stuff"
As he says in Karate Kid movie "win or loose no matter"
this was some awesome stuff...
you were the best!!! You were a Legend!!! Every time i watch Karate Kid on TV i remember you!!!!
i am amazed how much he can remember, and the level of accuracy, or detail.
@rambaran2004 i wouldnt say that he got nominated for an oscar for his brilliant acting performace in the first karate kid
i wonder how he would have reacted to "Wax on, F*ck off".
Thank you deeply for the post
Can't help but feel deeply sad he's dead (not inside me, he's not)... I grew up with Mr. Miyagi and he'll always be in my heart. Such a wise man and always putting things to rights in the best possible way ever. LONG LIVE MR. MIYAGI. We'll never forget you.
Pat morita died when he's 73years old
sounds like darth vader. please fix the audio and the playback speed.
Love Pat. RIP. I was laughing so hard when he did the "Arnold" laugh. Talk about your flashback. My children now enjoy watching your characters. Thank you.
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