Love Project Films has debuted a trailer for More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story, a documentary that chronicles the life of Pat Morita, 15 years after his death at age 73. Famously known for playing Mr. Miyagi throughout the original Karate Kid film trilogy, as well as The Next Karate Kid starring Hilary Swank, the Japanese-American comedian was far more than a master of martial arts that hangs out with high school kids.
In the new documentary More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story, director Kevin Derek explores the actor's extraordinary life and varied career, from his childhood battle with spinal tuberculosis to his early days as a stand-up comedian to his later struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. The film features archival interviews with Morita as well as new conversations with his many costars, including The Karate Kid's Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, Happy Days' Marion Ross and Henry Winkler, and fellow comics Larry Miller and Tommy Chong. (via Entertainment Weekly)
In recent years, Morita's iconic role as Mr. Miyagi has been re-introduced to a whole new generation thanks to Netflix's Cobra Kai. Morita, as Miyagi, appears in the show courtesy of clips from the original Karate Kid trilogy. More often than not, his scenes include him imparting wisdom on a young Daniel Larusso, his most beloved student. These segments are a wonderful way to honor Morita's memory in addition to giving old school fans a hardcore dose of nostalgia.
More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story will premiere on iTunes, Amazon Prime, and other streaming platforms beginning on Friday, February 5. Be sure to procure yourself a nice, warm bottle of saki before the documentary's debut, so that you can toast Mr. Morita's cherished memory.
