Buried at Palm Green Valley Memorial Park in Clark County, 6701 North Jones, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
Completed shooting scenes for two films before his death, but both were released years after the fact (Royal Kill (2009) in 2009, and Act Your Age (2009) in 2011).
Diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis as a child and was told that he would never walk. Spent nine years in hospitals.
During his funeral procession, his former co-star Ralph Macchio of The Karate Kid (1984) quoted, "Forever, my Sensei" towards the mourners.
Graduated from Armijo High School in Fairfield, California.
Had three daughters with Yuki
He and his family were placed in an internment camp during World War II.
His real accent is American, when playing "Mr. Miyagi" in the Karate Kid movies, he used a faux Japanese accent.
Last movie ever filmed is Royal Kill (2009) (working title: Princess) also starring Eric Roberts and Lalaine.
One of eight actors of Asian descent nominated for an Academy Award in an acting category. The others are Miyoshi Umeki who won Best Supporting Actress nominated for Sayonara (1957), Sessue Hayakawa nominated for The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), Mako nominated for The Sand Pebbles (1966), Ben Kingsley who won Best Actor for Gandhi (1982), Haing S. Ngor who won Best Supporting Actor for The Killing Fields (1984), Ken Watanabe nominated for The Last Samurai (2003) and Rinko Kikuchi nominated for Babel (2006).
One of only 4 actors to receive a Razzie nomination for portraying a character they were previously Oscar-nominated for. The others are Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire and Burt Young (all for Rocky IV (1985) and Rocky V (1990)).
The scene that sealed his nomination for best supporting actor in The Karate Kid (1984), in which Miyagi gets drunk and weeps over the death of his wife and child in the Manzanar Internment Camp was nearly cut out of the film. The studio thought the scene was unnecessary and wanted it cut. But director John G. Avildsen argued that the scene was important to Miyagi's character and finally the studio relented and allowed the scene to be kept in. Also, during the casting of the film, the studio wanted legendary Japanese actor Toshirô Mifune to play Miyagi but Avildsen and producer Jerry Weintraub thought Mifune's interpretation of the character was far too serious for what the film needed.
Was a closet alcoholic. Heavy drinking, which his doctors urged him against, was the primary cause of Morita's death.
Was a fan of the Green Bay Packers football team.
Was given the name "Pat" by his priest.
Was often billed as the Hip Nip for his stand-up performances.
Was the first American-born Asian nominated for an acting Oscar. It was for his role of Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid (1984).
Was the subject of a popular Internet myth, that he owned a Japanese-style restaurant called Miyagi's on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California. However, according to Morita himself in an about.com interview, this was just a myth and he had nothing to do with the restaurant.
While performing as a stand-up comic, he was discovered by Redd Foxx. This led to several appearances as Ah Chew on "Sanford and Son" (1972).