Pat Morita Net Worth - Pulptastic -

What is Pat Morita’s Net Worth?

Pat Morita, the Japanese-American actor known for his roles in “Happy Days” and “The Karate Kid” franchise, had a net worth of $2.5 million at the time of his death in 2005. He was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award in 1984 for his performance as Mr. Kesuke Miyagi in “The Karate Kid.”

Aside from his iconic roles, Morita also appeared in popular television series such as “M*A*S*H,” “Sanford and Son,” “Mr. T and Tina,” and “Ohara.”

Unfortunately, Morita passed away on November 24, 2005, at the age of 73 due to liver failure at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Early Life and Health Struggles

Pat Morita, born Noriyuki Morita in 1932, was the son of Japanese immigrants who settled in Isleton, California. At the age of two, he was diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis, which led to a nine-year stay at the Weimar Institute and Shriners Hospital. After undergoing extensive surgery and rehabilitation, Morita was released at age 11 and interned with his family at the Gila River War Relocation Center in Arizona and later transferred to the Tule Lake War Relocation Center in California. Following the war, Morita moved to the Bay Area and graduated from Armijo High School in Fairfield.

Pat Morita’s Journey to Show Business

After his father’s death, Morita helped run his family’s Chinese restaurant in Sacramento before working as a data processor for the Department of Motor Vehicles and other state agencies. He eventually became a department head at Lockheed, but left due to occupational burnout and pursued a career in show business. Morita started as a stand-up comic in Sacramento and San Francisco, but found more success after moving to Los Angeles and being represented by Lenny Bruce’s mother Sally.

Pat Morita’s Television Career

Pat Morita’s first significant television role was in 1973 when he played Captain Sam Pak in an episode of “M*A*S*H.” He later played the same role in 1974. He also played Ah Chew in the NBC sitcom “Sanford and Son” and Matsuo “Arnold” Takahashi on the ABC sitcom “Happy Days” from 1975 to 1983. He reprised the role of Matsuo on the sitcom “Blansky’s Beauties” in 1977 and played inventor Taro Takahashi on the short-lived sitcom “Mr. T and Tina” in 1978, a spinoff of “Welcome Back, Kotter.”

In the 1980s, Morita played the Toymaster in the Christmas musical television film “Babes in Toyland” and appeared in the television film “Amos” alongside Kirk Douglas, earning Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominations. He also starred as the titular character on the ABC police procedural series “Ohara” from 1987 to 1988. In the 1990s, he appeared in episodes of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and “Boy Meets World.” He also had a starring role on the Nickelodeon children’s series “The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo,” playing the grandfather of the title character. Among his notable credits in the 21st century is “Baywatch: Hawaii.”

Pat Morita’s Film Career

Pat Morita began his film career with small roles in “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “The Shakiest Gun in the West” in the late 60s. He then appeared in a number of comedy and drama films throughout the 70s and 80s, including “Midway,” “When Time Ran Out,” and “The Karate Kid” franchise, for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Morita also starred in and co-wrote the drama “Captive Hearts” and the buddy cop action comedy “Collision Course.” He continued his film career into the 90s and early 2000s with roles in “Mulan,” “I’ll Remember April,” and “The Biggest Fan,” among others. Morita also has multiple posthumous credits in films such as “Spymate” and “Only the Brave.”

Pat Morita’s Personal Life and Death

Pat Morita was married three times. His first wife was Kathleen Yamachi, to whom he was wed from 1953 until their divorce in 1967. He was subsequently married to Yukiye Kitahara from 1970 until their divorce in 1989. Morita’s third and final wife was actress Evelyn Guerrero, to whom he was married from 1994 until his passing. He had three children from his marriages.

On November 24, 2005, Morita died from kidney failure at his home in Las Vegas. He had struggled with alcoholism for much of his life. Morita was 73 years of age.