<p>Pat Morita (born Noriyuki Morita on June 28, 1932, in Isleton, California) was an American actor and comedian of Japanese descent. He is best known for his role as Mr. Miyagi in "The Karate Kid" film series, a performance that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 1985.</p><p>Before achieving fame in acting, Morita faced significant health challenges, including a battle with spinal tuberculosis during his childhood, which left him hospitalized for years. After recovering, he pursued a career in stand-up comedy, eventually transitioning to television and film. He gained early recognition for his role as Matsuo "Arnold" Takahashi on the television series "Happy Days."</p>