![]() 80s kids already loved Morita, now 90s kids got to join the party Unfortunately, though, this role was the exception, not the rule. He lent his voice to Disney's Mulan, portraying the saucy, generous Emperor. He was loved, well-respected, and talented, but certainly flawed as well. After The Karate Kid, Pat Morita did get another beloved movie role, even if far fewer people realize it. The film celebrates his life and groundbreaking achievements, but doesn't over glorify him. He deserves credit for presenting a well-rounded portrayal of Pat Morita. In an interview with Tom Snyder, Morita lamented himself as a husband, but was a "good dad." Director Kevin Derek addresses that his children did not participate in the documentary. As it turns out, that’s all that was needed for Pat Morita to shine. Pat Morita's daughters refused to be interviewed for the film. However, it looks like Rocky’s John Avildsen saw a spark in Pat Morita and was one of the few that wanted to give him a shot. ![]() Morita drank himself to death over financial hardship and faded stardom. The final act is difficult to watch at times. Pat Morita was cheerful on the surface, but suffered deeply on the inside. He used alcohol as a coping mechanism for a lifetime of depression. Guerrero shows pictures and videos of Morita passed out drunk. This was no secret on set in Hollywood, but Morita always handled his acting in a professional manner. Morita "drank every day since he was twelve." He'd been a functional alcoholic his entire life, and went to great lengths to conceal his drinking. Evelyn Guerrero speaks honestly about his battle with the disease. The film takes a dark and tragic turn by directly confronting Pat Morita's alcoholism. Pat Morita had to refer to himself as "The Hip Nip" to casting agents. Mickey Rooney, Audrey Hepburn, and John Wayne were cast as Asians in leading roles, while he and Morita were forced to play buffoons. He talks about Hollywood's "Yellow Facing" of Asian roles. The interview with veteran character actor James Hong is especially enlightening. More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story frankly discusses the racism that Asian American actors faced in Hollywood and society in general. Demura had a great relationship with Morita and was honored to have been a part of the franchise. The doc's director, Kevin Derek, also gives Morita's stunt double, Fumio Demura, who did the actual fighting in all of The Karate Kid films, equal time. ![]() The early screen tests with Macchio and Morita, as Daniel and Mr. Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita (JNovember 24, 2005) was an American film and television actor, who played the role as Nariyoshi Miyagi in the The Karate Kid series, for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1985. Morita's co-stars, Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Martin Kove, and screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen speak glowingly of their friend. These interviews, unseen footage, and his recollection of the process, including his Oscar nomination, are the highlights of the film. More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story goes behind the scenes to explain his casting in The Karate Kid. ![]()
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