Dbecame famous for being the martial arts instructor of the actors of the famous film Karate KidPatrick E. Johnson died in Los Angeles at the age of 84. When it comes to the coach of Karate Kid, our thoughts immediately turn to Pat Morita, the actor of Japanese origin (who died in 2005) who played the master Nariyoshi Miyagi in the film. But Pat Johnson was behind the training, karate moves and fights of Ralph Macchio and the rest of the cast. Who also appears in a cameo in the film as a referee of the All Valley tournament.
Karate Kid, who was Patrick Johnson
Born in 1939, Johnson got into martial arts in 1963, while deployed to South Korea as a U.S. Army chaplain. And after starting training in the Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do, in just 13 months he acquired such mastery of fighting techniques that he became a black belt. Thanks to his skills he met Chuck Norris, also an instructor and black belt in Tang Soo Do, becoming the captain of the actor’s team. And when, in 1973, Norris founded the National Tang Soo Do Congress, he appointed Johnson as vice president and head of instructors, and he did the same at the founding of the United Fighting Arts Federation.
His entry into the world of cinema
Thanks to his skills and friendship with Chuck Norris, Pat Johnson he also entered the world of cinema as a choreographer and instructor of the actors of various martial arts films. TO leaving from The 3 of Operation Dragon in 1973 with Bruce Lee, then reaching fame in 1984 with Karate Kid and then working in many other films, from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to the rescue of 1990 to the series Mortal Kombatfrom Hooligans from 2005 to Punisher – War Zone of 2008.
The social announcement of his death
The news of the martial arts master’s passing was announced in a post on Facebookgranddaughter Colleen Mary Johnson Summerville. “It is with sadness that I share the news of the death of my uncle Pat, who passed away on Sunday morning,” the woman wrote, sharing several vintage photographs and recalling that her uncle “was good to me since I was little and loved him dearly my father Lloyd, his brother. Thanks to him I have with me the most amazing woman in my life, my aunt Sue, and for this I will be forever grateful to him.” The granddaughter concluded by underlining that Pat Johnson «will always be legendary to many, including our family. Rest in peace Uncle Pat, you fought a good fight…”
Ralph Macchio’s farewell
Pat Johnson himself also remembered Pat Johnson’s passing Karate Kid: actor Ralph Macchio. In his Instagram Stories he published a vintage photo portraying him, Pat Morita and Pat Johnson together with the writing «Rest in peace Master Pat Johnson. Friend, teacher and fan. Still with me today and forever.”. It’s at Fox News the actor said that Johnsons was «the driving force behind all the martial arts choreography and stunts that we have come to know and love thanks to the projects we have worked on together.” Pat, he continued, was «a great martial artist. But above all I remember with pleasure his calm, kind and supportive behavior. I considered him a friend and my main fan. He inspired me with such confidence and I always felt I fit in with him».
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