The Karate KidalumPat E. Johnsondies at the age of 84. The Hollywood mainstay passed away of natural causes on Sunday, November 5 at his residence in Los Angeles, California. Johnson’s niece, Colleen Mary Johnson Summerville, shared the sad news on herFacebookpage, which reads as follows:
“It is with a sad heart I’m sharing my dear Uncle Pat has passed this Sunday morning. He was good to me since I was a little girl, and he loved my Father Lloyd (his brother) dearly. Because of him, I have the most amazing woman in my life, my Aunt Sue, and I’m forever grateful. Pat Johnson will always be legendary to many, including our family. Rest in peace Uncle Pat, you have fought the good fight… ❤️”
In real life, Johnson was a ninth-degree black belt in American Tang Soo Do, and he utilized his knowledge of martial arts to help bolster his career in Tinseltown, as a stunt and martial arts coordinator, but he was also a very fine actor. Johnson’s 50-year career began in the last movie made by Bruce Lee before his death:Enter the Dragon. While Johnson was involved with stunts in the classic film, he also had the opportunity to go head-to-head with John Saxon’s Roper, as the mustachioed, gun-wielding thug trying to collect $175,000. Johnson shouts:
It’s the dough, Roper! Or we’ve gotta break something.
Unfortunately, for Johnson’s villainous character, Roper easily “kicks” his way out of the situation. Johnson was terrific in his brief appearance, and he worked steadily for the next 11 years. But it was in 1984 that he landed the job the actor and stunt coordinator is best known for today:The Karate Kid.
Karate Kid Franchise in Order Chronologically and by Release Date
The Karate Kid franchise has expanded with multiple films and the popular Cobra Kai series. Here’s how to watch it chronologically and by release.
Pat Johnson’s Legacy
Pat E. Johnson was an integral part of the worldwide success director John G. Avildsen’sThe Karate Kid(1984)ultimately became. The film’s lead, Ralph Macchio, spoke about Johnson and recalled how much he meant to him in a statement (perFox News Digital):
“So very saddened to hear the news of the passing of my friend and martial arts master, Pat E Johnson. Pat was the driving force in all of the martial arts choreography and stunts we have come to know and love from the projects we worked on together. Pat was a fierce martial artist. But my memories with him are galvanized in his calm, gentle and supportive demeanor. I considered him a friend and my ultimate cheerleader. He inspired me with such confidence, and I always felt he was in my corner. Even to this day, I can feel his cheerleading in my current work.”
Johnson enjoyed plenty of screen time in the film’s final act. While he portrayed the All Valley Karate Tournament’s most memorable referee, it was his behind-the-scenes work choreographingthe beautifully constructed fight sequencesthat transpired between the stars of the films that truly shined. And that included Johnson working with the one-time Cobra Kai bully Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka). During a 2019 interview withMen’s Health, Zabka spoke about returning to the role of Johnny Lawrence in the streaming seriesCobra Kai. And Zabka reflected fondly on Johnson’s impact on the actor’s life and career. Zabka said:
“He trained all of us, and actually plays the referee at the end of the film, during the competition. He’s a legend in martial arts. He built me up from nothing. I didn’t know anything about it when I first started. I was a wrestler in high school and very limber and athletic. The discipline that he gave physically, mentally and technically was incredible; so much so, that I trained with him after the film was over. It’s amazing how his teaching has stayed with me all these years.”
Johnson is the one who taught the film’s titular star, Ralph Macchio, the now famous crane kick, and the referee character returned in bothThe Karate Kid Part II(1986) andThe Karate Kid Part III(1989). Johnson’s martial arts training began in 1963 while he was in South Korea. When Johnson returned to the United States, he eventually became the captain of the Chuck Norris team after a chance meeting in Detroit. The squad participated in black belt competitions, and they won their division in a jaw-dropping 33 consecutive tournaments. Johnson himself fought approximately 200 times, during that span, and the futureKarate Kidalum lost only one time. Johnson said in a 2016 interview about meeting Norris for the first time (perYouTube):
“He [Norris] and I struck a really good bond, at the time, because we had both trained in Korea. We’d both gotten our black belts in Korea. There was a big difference, though, when I saw Chuck competing. I’d never seen anyone use the [martial arts] combinations that he did.”
Johnson traveled to California, as he was invited by Norris, and began teaching karate at one of Chuck Norris' schools — the one situated in Sherman Oaks, California. So, when 1984 rolled around, Johnson’s vast knowledge and skill set was a natural fit when it came time to joinThe Karate Kidfamily.
Unfortunately, Johnson never appeared inthe streaming seriesCobra Kai, as so many otherKarate Kidmembers have. But he continued to work steadily, and some of his more high-profile projects includeBuffy the Vampire Slayer, Mortal Kombat, Batman & RobinandPunisher: War Zone. Johnson is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sue. And Johnson had four sons: Brett, Garth, Larry and Erik.
And if you’re a fan ofCobra Kai, check out some behind the scenes facts in the video essay below.
