Born on June 28, 1932, in Isleton, California, he began his career as a stand-up comedian before transitioning to acting. He gained fame for his role as Arnold on "Happy Days" and achieved iconic status playing Mr. Miyagi in "The Karate Kid" series, earning an Academy Award nomination. Overcoming early life challenges, including childhood spinal tuberculosis and internment during WWII, he became a beloved figure in Hollywood. He passed away on November 24, 2005.