Pat E. Johnson, a longtime stuntman who was the fight choreographer for and played a referee in the Karate Kid movies and appeared in the martial arts classic Enter the Dragon and in Chuck Norris films, has died. He was 84.
His wife, Susan, posted on social media that he died Sunday but did not provide details.
“For those that don’t know, my husband, Pat Johnson, passed away yesterday,” Sue Johnson posted on Facebook. “I was blessed to have all my sons here with me – we cried, we laughed, we held each other close. 54 years off my life is now at peace, and I am blessed with so many amazing memories, friends, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. If anyone wants to remember him through a donation in his name, we believe greatly in the Diabetes association or living Kidney association – both near and dear to our hearts. Thank you to...
His wife, Susan, posted on social media that he died Sunday but did not provide details.
“For those that don’t know, my husband, Pat Johnson, passed away yesterday,” Sue Johnson posted on Facebook. “I was blessed to have all my sons here with me – we cried, we laughed, we held each other close. 54 years off my life is now at peace, and I am blessed with so many amazing memories, friends, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. If anyone wants to remember him through a donation in his name, we believe greatly in the Diabetes association or living Kidney association – both near and dear to our hearts. Thank you to...
- 11/7/2023
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
It was announced today that Pat E. Johnson, who choreographed the fight scenes for the first four Karate Kid movies, has died at the age of 84.
Pat E. Johnson was a ninth-degree black belt in American Tang Soo Do and also served as vice president of the National Tang Soo Do Congress, which was created by Chuck Norris in 1973. He learned the Korean martial art while serving as a chaplain with the U.S. Army in Korea. He later met Chuck Norris at a karate tournament in Detroit and the pair quickly bonded. “He and I struck a really good bond at the time because we had both trained in Korea, we had both gotten our black belts in Korea,” Johnson said in a 2016 documentary. “He mentioned to me one time that ‘If you should ever decide to come to California, I think we could work really well together.’ I really...
Pat E. Johnson was a ninth-degree black belt in American Tang Soo Do and also served as vice president of the National Tang Soo Do Congress, which was created by Chuck Norris in 1973. He learned the Korean martial art while serving as a chaplain with the U.S. Army in Korea. He later met Chuck Norris at a karate tournament in Detroit and the pair quickly bonded. “He and I struck a really good bond at the time because we had both trained in Korea, we had both gotten our black belts in Korea,” Johnson said in a 2016 documentary. “He mentioned to me one time that ‘If you should ever decide to come to California, I think we could work really well together.’ I really...
- 11/6/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
Pat E. Johnson, known for choreographing fights and training actors for “The Karate Kid” films, has died of natural causes at his Los Angeles home. He was 84.
Johnson’s niece Colleen Mary Johnson Summerville confirmed the news on Facebook, writing, “It is with a sad heart I’m sharing my Uncle Pat has passed this Sunday morning.”
Johnson held the title of ninth-degree black belt, putting his martial arts skills to use on the set of the beloved coming-of-age film “The Karate Kid” (1984), training actors including Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio. Morita’s Mr. Miyagi trains Macchio’s Daniel Larusso in the art of karate after bullies begin antagonizing him at his new school in Los Angeles.
Johnson taught Macchio the now-iconic crane kick which won Daniel the championship at the All Valley karate tournament in the first film. He also acted as referee in the film.
Johnson was born in Niagara Falls,...
Johnson’s niece Colleen Mary Johnson Summerville confirmed the news on Facebook, writing, “It is with a sad heart I’m sharing my Uncle Pat has passed this Sunday morning.”
Johnson held the title of ninth-degree black belt, putting his martial arts skills to use on the set of the beloved coming-of-age film “The Karate Kid” (1984), training actors including Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio. Morita’s Mr. Miyagi trains Macchio’s Daniel Larusso in the art of karate after bullies begin antagonizing him at his new school in Los Angeles.
Johnson taught Macchio the now-iconic crane kick which won Daniel the championship at the All Valley karate tournament in the first film. He also acted as referee in the film.
Johnson was born in Niagara Falls,...
- 11/6/2023
- by Jaden Thompson
- Variety Film + TV
Pat E. Johnson, the ninth-degree black belt and Chuck Norris contemporary who choreographed the fight scenes, trained the actors and portrayed a tournament referee in the first three Karate Kid films, has died. He was 84.
Johnson died Sunday of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles, his niece, Colleen Mary Johnson Summerville, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Johnson also was a stuntperson, stunt coordinator, trainer and/or fight coordinator on Buffy the Vampire Slayer; on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Mortal Kombat movies; and on other films including Enter the Dragon (1973), To Live and Die in L.A. (1985), Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991), Batman and Robin (1997) and Wild Wild West (1999).
Johnson served as a top instructor at Norris’ karate schools in the Los Angeles area starting in the late 1960s, and his students over the years included Steve McQueen, Bob Barker and members of the Osmond family.
For The Karate Kid (1984), Johnson...
Johnson died Sunday of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles, his niece, Colleen Mary Johnson Summerville, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Johnson also was a stuntperson, stunt coordinator, trainer and/or fight coordinator on Buffy the Vampire Slayer; on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Mortal Kombat movies; and on other films including Enter the Dragon (1973), To Live and Die in L.A. (1985), Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991), Batman and Robin (1997) and Wild Wild West (1999).
Johnson served as a top instructor at Norris’ karate schools in the Los Angeles area starting in the late 1960s, and his students over the years included Steve McQueen, Bob Barker and members of the Osmond family.
For The Karate Kid (1984), Johnson...
- 11/6/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Imagining the climax of "The Karate Kid" without Daniel Larusso's iconic crane kick is like trying to listen to John Williams' "Duel of the Fates" without a lightsaber battle. All seems lost after our underdog hero played by Ralph Macchio has had his leg swept by the villainous Johnny Lawrence (Billy Zabka), but thanks to the balancing act of a crane kick, Larusso wins the tournament and scores his winning point with the move.
Ironically, the crane kick almost didn't happen, because it's not only a completely made-up move for the film, but it's ridiculously hard to execute. In Macchio's new memoir, "Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me," there's an entire passage about the crane kick that almost never was. According to Macchio's book (which /Film's own Jenna Busch recently spoke with Macchio about), the crane kick was invented by screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen, a move that sounded cool...
Ironically, the crane kick almost didn't happen, because it's not only a completely made-up move for the film, but it's ridiculously hard to execute. In Macchio's new memoir, "Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me," there's an entire passage about the crane kick that almost never was. According to Macchio's book (which /Film's own Jenna Busch recently spoke with Macchio about), the crane kick was invented by screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen, a move that sounded cool...
- 10/26/2022
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
This coming of age film about filmmaking and a love of Star Wars was written and directed by Patrick Read Johnson (Spaced Invaders).
The story follows hopeful filmmaker Pat Johnson's (John Francis Daley) epic true story of growing up in rural Illinois, falling in love, and becoming the first fan of the movie that changed everything - Star Wars.
The film's title stems from the summer of 1977 release date of the original Star Wars film, with this year being its 45th anniversary.
Mvd Entertainment Group will finally debut 5-25-77 in select US theaters on September 23rd, 2022, then on VOD starting on October 11th this fall.
Check out the trailer:...
The story follows hopeful filmmaker Pat Johnson's (John Francis Daley) epic true story of growing up in rural Illinois, falling in love, and becoming the first fan of the movie that changed everything - Star Wars.
The film's title stems from the summer of 1977 release date of the original Star Wars film, with this year being its 45th anniversary.
Mvd Entertainment Group will finally debut 5-25-77 in select US theaters on September 23rd, 2022, then on VOD starting on October 11th this fall.
Check out the trailer:...
- 9/13/2022
- QuietEarth.us
"How much do you want to be a director, Patrick?" "Do you Need to be one?" Mvd Entertainment has revealed a brand new official trailer for the Star Wars opening day movie 5-25-77, from filmmaker Patrick Read Johnson. Yes, this is the long lost, still-never-released (until now!!) nerdy Star Wars coming-of-age flick that has been in the works for more than a decade. We first posted a trailer for it back in 2009, when it was still called simply '77, now it's ready to shine all these years later. 5-25-77 is a coming-of-age comedy inspired by the true story of a nerdy, alienated, hopeful filmmaker named Pat Johnson about growing up, falling in love, and becoming the very first fan of the movie that changed everything, Star Wars. Starring John Francis Daley as Pat Johnson, with Austin Pendleton, Colleen Camp, Neil Flynn, and Justin Mentell. I've been waiting to watch this!
- 9/13/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
This Cobra Kai article contains spoilers for season 5.
Daniel Larusso (Ralph Macchio), Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), and Sensei Kreese (Martin Kove) aren’t the only carry overs from the original three Karate Kid films. Far from it, Cobra Kai has been masterfully tapping its source by bringing back cast members from the movies, regularly serving the fans up with colorful Easter eggs.
Some of the original characters, like Lucille Larusso (Randee Heller), Daniel’s mom, have appeared throughout Cobra Kai. She has been seen in seasons 1, 2, and 4, which is more than she was seen in the latter two Karate Kid films. The original Cobra Kai gang from The Karate Kid Part I, Bobby (Ron Thomas), Jimmy (Tony O’Dell), and Tommy (Rob Garrison) were reunited with Johnny in season 2 in one of the most poignant episodes of the entire show – the death of Tommy. It’s an emotional irony when the...
Daniel Larusso (Ralph Macchio), Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), and Sensei Kreese (Martin Kove) aren’t the only carry overs from the original three Karate Kid films. Far from it, Cobra Kai has been masterfully tapping its source by bringing back cast members from the movies, regularly serving the fans up with colorful Easter eggs.
Some of the original characters, like Lucille Larusso (Randee Heller), Daniel’s mom, have appeared throughout Cobra Kai. She has been seen in seasons 1, 2, and 4, which is more than she was seen in the latter two Karate Kid films. The original Cobra Kai gang from The Karate Kid Part I, Bobby (Ron Thomas), Jimmy (Tony O’Dell), and Tommy (Rob Garrison) were reunited with Johnny in season 2 in one of the most poignant episodes of the entire show – the death of Tommy. It’s an emotional irony when the...
- 9/12/2022
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
This article contains Cobra Kai spoilers.
The return of Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith) has been a major selling point in promoting Cobra Kai season 4. The teasers have focused on the silhouette of him tying back his signature ponytail like Rambo cinching up his headband. Unlike the season 3 teasers which only hinted at the return of Chozen (Yuji Okumoto), there was no mistaking that Silver was coming back to Cobra Kai.
For anyone new to the Cobra Kai universe, Silver was the main villain in the final film with Daniel Larusso (Ralph Macchio) – The Karate Kid Part III. Only Daniel and Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) return for significant roles. Daniel’s mom Lucille (Randee Heller) and the Referee (martial arts master and choreographer Pat E. Johnson) reprise their roles too but only with minor parts. And while Kreese (Martin Kove) appears, Silver dethrones him as the maniacal caricature villain.
This...
The return of Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith) has been a major selling point in promoting Cobra Kai season 4. The teasers have focused on the silhouette of him tying back his signature ponytail like Rambo cinching up his headband. Unlike the season 3 teasers which only hinted at the return of Chozen (Yuji Okumoto), there was no mistaking that Silver was coming back to Cobra Kai.
For anyone new to the Cobra Kai universe, Silver was the main villain in the final film with Daniel Larusso (Ralph Macchio) – The Karate Kid Part III. Only Daniel and Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) return for significant roles. Daniel’s mom Lucille (Randee Heller) and the Referee (martial arts master and choreographer Pat E. Johnson) reprise their roles too but only with minor parts. And while Kreese (Martin Kove) appears, Silver dethrones him as the maniacal caricature villain.
This...
- 1/1/2022
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
This article contains Cobra Kai season 3 spoilers.
Despite its iconic standing within the martial arts genre, the martial arts in The Karate Kid have never been outstanding. Sure, the crane kick is a classic, but from a technical standpoint, it’s not that impressive. Ralph Macchio had no martial arts training prior to undertaking the role of Daniel. In many ways, that’s part of the charm. Whether you know martial arts or not, Daniel’s wax on, wax off awkwardness makes Macchio’s portrayal more genuine.
Throughout the film franchise, it was Daniel’s adversaries who were the martial artists. William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence) had a background in wrestling prior to the first film and continued to train in Tang Soo Do under Master Pat E. Johnson after it wrapped (Johnson played the referee and trained the actors for the film.) Martin Kove (John Kreese) studied Gosoku-ryu Karate under the founder of that style,...
Despite its iconic standing within the martial arts genre, the martial arts in The Karate Kid have never been outstanding. Sure, the crane kick is a classic, but from a technical standpoint, it’s not that impressive. Ralph Macchio had no martial arts training prior to undertaking the role of Daniel. In many ways, that’s part of the charm. Whether you know martial arts or not, Daniel’s wax on, wax off awkwardness makes Macchio’s portrayal more genuine.
Throughout the film franchise, it was Daniel’s adversaries who were the martial artists. William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence) had a background in wrestling prior to the first film and continued to train in Tang Soo Do under Master Pat E. Johnson after it wrapped (Johnson played the referee and trained the actors for the film.) Martin Kove (John Kreese) studied Gosoku-ryu Karate under the founder of that style,...
- 1/3/2021
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
When The Karate Kid premiered in 1984, new students rushed to enroll in Karate Dojos across the nation. However, for anyone aspiring to learn the true ways of Miyagi-Do—or Cobra Kai as the case may be—Dojos weren’t propounding deck sanding and fence painting as part of their curriculum. There are many different styles of Karate. Fans wondered which style Daniel and Johnny were really doing. Now that Netflix has picked up Cobra Kai from YouTube Red, a whole new crop of fans has discovered the show and the question has come up again: What type of Karate do they practice at Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai? The truth is it might not even be Karate.
In any movie or series, the filmmakers and showrunners aren’t beholden to a specific style. They are telling a story, not making a documentary. With most productions, a hodge-podge of movie-fu makes...
In any movie or series, the filmmakers and showrunners aren’t beholden to a specific style. They are telling a story, not making a documentary. With most productions, a hodge-podge of movie-fu makes...
- 9/16/2020
- by Chris Longo
- Den of Geek
Keith Vitali is an American Martial Artist, Martial Arts Instructor, Actor, Producer and Author who made his name over the last few decades as one of the baddest men on the planet, competing in over 1,000 competition fights since the 1970’s.
In 1981, Keith was honored into the Black Belt Magazine’s “Black Belt Hall of Fame” along with being ranked the “#1 Karate Fighter in the USA” at the time. Keith also appeared in movies over the years such as the classic “Wheels On Meals“, “No Retreat, No Surrender 3: Blood Brothers“, “American Kickboxer” “BloodMoon” and “Revenge of the Ninja“.
Keith also made the national headlines over the years with his company “K.V. Video Productions“. His video “Self Defense For Kids” was a huge hit across America and the world with newspapers like The New York Post, The USA Today, The Atlanta Journal and many more covering the video in a positive way.
In 1981, Keith was honored into the Black Belt Magazine’s “Black Belt Hall of Fame” along with being ranked the “#1 Karate Fighter in the USA” at the time. Keith also appeared in movies over the years such as the classic “Wheels On Meals“, “No Retreat, No Surrender 3: Blood Brothers“, “American Kickboxer” “BloodMoon” and “Revenge of the Ninja“.
Keith also made the national headlines over the years with his company “K.V. Video Productions“. His video “Self Defense For Kids” was a huge hit across America and the world with newspapers like The New York Post, The USA Today, The Atlanta Journal and many more covering the video in a positive way.
- 5/22/2017
- by kingofkungfu
- AsianMoviePulse
This month marks 30 years since Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita's The Karate Kid was released in theaters. I love this movie, and it's hard to believe that it has really been 3 decades since I went to the movies with my parents to see it. This is another one of those classic 80s films that I have never gotten tired of watching over the years. I still revisit it every now and then just for the fun of it, and I enjoy it every time.
In honor of the films 30th birthday, I've put together a list of ten interesting facts about the movie that you might not know. Your trivia knowledge of this film is about to be enhanced.
The yellow classic automobile that Daniel polishes in the famous "wax-on/wax-off" training scene, then later offered by Mr. Miyagi as Daniel's birthday gift, was actually given to Ralph Macchio by the producer,...
In honor of the films 30th birthday, I've put together a list of ten interesting facts about the movie that you might not know. Your trivia knowledge of this film is about to be enhanced.
The yellow classic automobile that Daniel polishes in the famous "wax-on/wax-off" training scene, then later offered by Mr. Miyagi as Daniel's birthday gift, was actually given to Ralph Macchio by the producer,...
- 6/27/2014
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
What's more dangerous: zooming around the winding Mulholland Drive in a Porsche, or pissing off one of the greatest martial artists of all time? Turns out it's the latter, if Steve McQueen is behind the wheel of the sports car. In the bonus extras for “I Am Steve McQueen,” a documentary celebrating the life of the legendary actor, stunt performer Pat E. Johnson recounts one of his favorite stories about the “Bullet” and “Great Escape” star, which involved another popular actor of the time: Bruce Lee. See video: ‘Tvd’ Star Steven McQueen on His Grandfather's Famous Fans: ‘I Was Overwhelmed’ Lee wanted to buy.
- 6/23/2014
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
A Force Of One
Stars: Chuck Norris, Clu Gulager, Jennifer O’Neill, Ron O’Neal, Bill Wallace, James Whitmore Jr., Eric Laneuville | Written by Pat E. Johnson, Ernest Tidyman | Directed by Paul Aaron
This week is sees a double-bill of Chuck Norris releases with The Octagon and now A Force of One. Chuck Norris again plays a Martial Arts expert, this time focusing more on karate so none of the mysterious and unknown art of the ninja (sarcasm of course). The question is will the spooky whispering be back or will this one be taken more seriously, and will he sound less like a serial killer.
In A Force of One Chuck Norris plays Matt Logan a karate champion and teacher of the martial art. When an undercover narcotics force finds itself being eliminated by an assassin while searching the source of a drugs problem they look for help from Logan.
Stars: Chuck Norris, Clu Gulager, Jennifer O’Neill, Ron O’Neal, Bill Wallace, James Whitmore Jr., Eric Laneuville | Written by Pat E. Johnson, Ernest Tidyman | Directed by Paul Aaron
This week is sees a double-bill of Chuck Norris releases with The Octagon and now A Force of One. Chuck Norris again plays a Martial Arts expert, this time focusing more on karate so none of the mysterious and unknown art of the ninja (sarcasm of course). The question is will the spooky whispering be back or will this one be taken more seriously, and will he sound less like a serial killer.
In A Force of One Chuck Norris plays Matt Logan a karate champion and teacher of the martial art. When an undercover narcotics force finds itself being eliminated by an assassin while searching the source of a drugs problem they look for help from Logan.
- 8/5/2012
- by Pzomb
- Nerdly
After grossing over $125 million in the Summer of 1995, the popularity of the hit arcade/console game Mortal Kombat was apparent beyond the joystick. Obviously, due to its success, a sequel was made and released in November 1997, but the same type of success eluded Mortal Kombat: Annihilation. Critically ripped apart, the film did go onto gross $51 million, which on a budget of $30, was a minor success still.
John R. Leonetti took over as director for Paul W.S. Anderson, who went on to direct Event Horizon as this film followed the events of the closing moments of the first film. Shao Kahn (played by genre vet Brian Thompson) has ignored the sacred rules of the tournament, and with the defeat of Shang Tsung, has entered the Earth Realm to seize his control. With the help of Raiden (Dexter‘s James Remar filling in for the departed Christopher Lambert), Liu Kang (Robin Shou...
John R. Leonetti took over as director for Paul W.S. Anderson, who went on to direct Event Horizon as this film followed the events of the closing moments of the first film. Shao Kahn (played by genre vet Brian Thompson) has ignored the sacred rules of the tournament, and with the defeat of Shang Tsung, has entered the Earth Realm to seize his control. With the help of Raiden (Dexter‘s James Remar filling in for the departed Christopher Lambert), Liu Kang (Robin Shou...
- 4/21/2011
- by Jon Peters
- Killer Films
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