Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid franchise left a long-lasting impression on anyone who watched the movies. His real-life name was Noriyuki “Pat” Morita and he was an actor and comedian. He has played major roles in several other movies and television series including Matsuo “Arnold” Takahashi on Happy Days, Captain Sam Pak on the sitcom M*A*S*H, Ah Chew in Sanford and Son, Mike Woo in The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo, and The Emperor of China in Mulan and Mulan II.
Read on to know more about the life, career and education, spouse, children and more details about one of the biggest influences in Pat Morita’s life, his mother, Dorothy Sueko Saika.
Table of Contents
Personal Life
Not much is known about the personal life of Dorothy Sueko Saika. She was born on 24 Oct 1913 in Milpitas, Santa Clara County, California, United States of America. Her parents were Japanese immigrants, and not much is known about their identities. She died on 26 Aug 2009 in Sacramento County, California, United States of America. A private memorial service was held in her memory on Friday, September 4 at the Buddhist Church of Sacramento. She was lovingly called “Bachan” Saika by her family and loved ones and is specially remembered for her cooking, gardening, and Japanese singing.
Career and Education
Not much is known about the education and career details of Dorothy Sueko Saika. She was an immigrant from Japan to the United States and stayed in USA when the World Wars were going on. It would not be an exaggeration to state that she may have faced several cases of racism and racial inequality of different kinds in places of education and employment. However, she did not let such injustice faze her, and she grew strong and was a motivating and inspiring mother to her kids.
Spouse
Though the name of her husband is not much known, her grave states that her husband was Fred Taro Saika. However, not much is known about where they met, or when they got married. However, they were a loving couple and had several children together.
Children
Dorothy Sueko Saika had five children, Pat Morita, Gloria Imagire, Peggy Saika, Teddy Saika and Clarence Saika. Except for Pat Morita, who grew up to become a famous actor and comedian, and an icon in Hollywood, the career paths chosen by her other children is now well known. However, we know that Dorothy Saika was a loving mother, and she was supportive and inspirational for her kids. We hope that all her kids have pursued their own dreams and become successful in life.
Net Worth
Dorothy Sueko Saika has liver a very ordinary life, and does not have much of a career achievements to have a net worth. However, her son, Pat Morita used to be a famous Japanese-American actor, and he has a net worth of about $5 million. We can say that she lived quite a happy and fulfilled life and did not have to suffer from poverty and starvation towards the end of her life.
Conclusion
Dorothy Sueko Saika has lived a very normal and ordinary life, but rose to fame when her son, Pat Morita became a famous actor and comedian. Very little is known about the life of Dorothy Sueko Saika, but what we do know is that she was a very motivating and supportive mother for her kids.
