"Karate Kid" actor Pat Morita dies age 73.

[Smokey]

Pat Morita, the Japanese-American actor who gained fame as the wise Mr. Miyagi in the "Karate Kid" movies and on the television show "Happy Days," has died in Las Vegas at the age of 73.

The Las Vegas Palm Mortuary home said Morita died of natural causes on Thursday.

Morita, who was born in California and sent to a Japanese-American internment camp during World War II, won a supporting actor nomination for his portrayal of the witty karate mentor of a young boy in 1984's "The Karate Kid."

Morita played the wise handyman, Mr. Miyagi. who befriended a new boy in town, played by Ralph Macchio, and helped him stand up to bullies by schooling him in Eastern philosophy and martial arts.

He received a star on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame in 1994.

[AShannon04]

That's too bad.

R.I.P.

[GMichael]

We'll miss you.