'Karate Kid' star Pat Morita dies at 73

U.S. actor Pat Morita, best known for roles in the Karate Kid film franchise and on TV's Happy Days, has died at the age of 73.

The California-born Morita died of natural causes at home on Thursday, according to a statement from his family.

Born in June 1932, Morita was hospitalized with spinal tuberculosis during his childhood. Unfortunately, his recovery coincided with the Second World War and after leaving the hospital, he was sent to a Japanese-American internment camp.

After the war, he began his career in performance, first trying out the world of standup comedy under the alias "The Hip Nip." He was discovered by Redd Foxx, who later helped him get a guest role on Sanford and Son, but he found little success at that time. After a period working in computers, he tried show business again.

For many years, Morita played small parts – a number of which were demeaning roles – in film and TV. Before his breakthrough role as Matsuo "Arnold" Takahashi in Happy Days, his résumé included minor appearances in such shows as The Odd Couple and M*A*S*H. He also had two short-lived series entitled Mr. T and Tina and Ohara.

In 1984, he starred in the Oscar-nominated role that would define his career: the wise and witty Kesuke Miyagi, the mentor and karate teacher in The Karate Kid. He reprised his portrayal of "Mr. Miyagi" in the three sequels, including 1994's The Next Karate Kid starring Hilary Swank.

Later career credits include appearances in guest TV spots on shows like Magnum, P.I., Murder, She Wrote and Baywatch, as well as parts in such films as Honeymoon in Vegas and Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, and a voice role in Mulan.

Morita is to be buried at Palm Green Valley Mortuary and Cemetery.