Forever my Sensei

Actor, comedian Pat Morita, starred in 'Karate Kid'; at 73

LOS ANGELES -- Actor Pat Morita, who offered the famous advice ''wax on, wax off" to a young karate student in his performance as the wise Mr. Miyagi in ''The Karate Kid," has died. He was 73.

Mr. Morita died Thursday at his Las Vegas home of natural causes, said his wife of 12 years, Evelyn. She said in a statement that her husband, who first rose to fame with a role on ''Happy Days," had ''dedicated his entire life to acting and comedy."

His role in the 1984 film defined his career. As Kesuke Miyagi, the mentor to Ralph Macchio's ''Daniel-san," he taught karate while trying to catch flies with chopsticks and offering such advice as ''wax on, wax off" to help Daniel improve his skills while doing his chores.

''It was both my honor and privilege to have worked with him and create a bit of cinema magic together," Mr. Macchio said in a statement. ''My life is all the richer for having known him. I will miss his genuine friendship."

''Forever my Sensei," Mr. Macchio added, referring to Mr. Morita's role in ''The Karate Kid."