'turning japanese'...pat 'noriyuki' morita (H in H pt 2d)
pat morita will long be remembered as MR. MIYAGI...his beloved role in the film, THE KARATE KID.
a JAPANESE AMERICAN, he was born in california, spent time in the internment camp during the war, and originally made his career in the aeronautics field, before taking a 'leap of faith' and becoming a stand up comic. only 5'3", he became known as the 'HIP NIP' in the club circuits and PLAYED UP the 'stereotype' of asian men.
pat is equally known for his role as ARNOLD, the restaurant owner in HAPPY DAYS the hugely popular 70's T.V. sitcom, speaking in 'MOCK' asian accent. (his normal speaking voice was very americanized, as it was his native tongue)
he had a vocal coach on karate kid to teach him to 'sound' authentically japanese.
he was one of the busiest asian actors in hollywood, ranging from t.v. to movies, voiceovers, etc...a resume as long as mako's...but their 'casting images' were worlds apart.
most of his career he was known as PAT, but during karate kid, (mid 80's) producer jerry weintraub suggested he change his name to NORIYUKI (his true birth name) because it sounded more 'ethnic'. i read somewhere long ago that he developed a deeper sense of 'being japanese'...FINDING his own heritage through the role of miyagi san.
it's quite lovely that in this character, he found the 'dignity' in his ethnicity.
he was the first ASIAN AMERICAN nominated for an acting oscar. (for mr. miyagi) having played minor, character 'oddball' comedic parts most of his career...this was quite a significant 'benchmark' in his career, and achievement in his personal and professional life.
his starmeter always hovered in the 1-2000 range. (currently 1579). (he died in 2005)
i'm 'waxing on'. i'll 'wax off' for now.
note: things are quickly changing on youtube, and many of the clips that were once available are being disabled, so i am uncertain if, or how long, any of these clips wil remain active.
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RinRin put up a link to Toshiro Mifune's official page, and it is actually VERY INTERESTING. I didn't really realize it, but in 1970's when he was most active in overseas works, he was in his 40's. So just about the same pace as Sanada-san. In fact, he was rather a late bloomer, started acting at the age of 26 after coming back from the war.
I also was not familiar how he looked in his younger days. I know of him in that well-known tough-guy, samurai-like face, but in early years, he rather looked sweet, handsome nice guy! Wow!
Here's the link to Mifune site:
http://www.mifuneproductions.co.jp/mifune.html
There is English version, so enjoy!!
it's like a MAZE, (now i know where the word a-MAZE-ment comes from!) hee hee. as i am exploring this subject. i think of you so often, as i do the research knowing WHAT IT MUST HAVE TAKEN, for you to explore hiro's filmography, his background, etc. (except my research is an 'nth' of YOURS....YOU ACTUALLY WATCHED HIS FILMS!!!!) my goodness....i still do not know HOW you did it, (and be a mom, a wife, and a professional woman) WOW.
i did see the toshiro link! i must thank rin rin. wasn't he HUNKY? (VERY similar, i think, to sessue san, maybe?) but this is so interesting that he began in his 40's like our hiro....working abroad.
well, i'm so glad you are enjoying it....it has been a truly remarkable learning process for me too, and every new discovery shines more LIGHT on what our guy is facing, as he embarks on this new journey!!!
i found some TRUE GEMS that i will be sharing soon! stay tuned....
:)