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Theatre, Film, and Television Biographies
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Lynn Milgrim to Rob Morrow
Pat Morita Biography (1932?-2005)
Original name, Noriyuki Morita; born June 28, 1932 (some sources cite June 28, 1930, August 28, 1932, or June 28, 1933), in Isleton, CA; father, a restaurant owner and farmer; married first wife (marriage ended); married Yuki (a community organizer), 1970 (divorced); married Evelyn Guerrero (an actress), 1995; children: (first marriage) Tia, Aly. Addresses: Agent: Cunningham/Escott/Slevin and Doherty Talent Agency, 10635 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 140,Los Angeles, CA 90025.
- Nationality
- American
- Gender
- Male
- Occupation
- Actor, comedian
- Birth Details
- June 28, 1932?
- Isleton, California, United States
- Death Details
- November 24, 2005
- Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Famous Works
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CREDITS
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Film Appearances
- Second laundry worker, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Universal, 1967
- Wong, The Shakiest Gun in the West, Universal, 1968
- Nishimoto, Where Does It Hurt?, Cinerama, 1972
- Nonaka, Every Little Crook and Nanny, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1972
- Yamamoto, Cancel My Reservation, Warner Bros., 1972
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I Wonder Who's Killing Her Now? (also known as Kill My Wife Please), LIVE Home Video, 1975
- Rear admiral Ryunosuke Kusaka, Midway (also known as Battle Midway and The Battle of Midway), Universal, 1976
- Sam, When Time Ran Out (also known as The Day the World Ended and Earth's Final Fury), Warner Bros., 1980
- Silversmith, Full Moon High (also known as Moon High), Filmways, 1981
- Father Ohara, Savannah Smiles, Gold Coast Films/Embassy Pictures,1982
- Maurice, Jimmy the Kid, New World Pictures, 1983
- Ambassador Ah Fong, Slapstick of Another Kind (also known as Slapstick), Entertainment Releasing, 1984
- (As Noriyuki "Pat" Morita) Mr. Miyagi, The Karate Kid, Columbia, 1984
- Rape victim, Night Patrol, New World Pictures, 1984
- (As Noriyuki "Pat" Morita) Mr. Miyagi, The Karate Kid II, Columbia, 1986
- Fukushima, Captive Hearts (also known as Fate of a Hunter),United Artists, 1987
- Investigator Fujitsuka Natsuo, Collision Course, HBO Home Video, 1989
- (As Noriyuki "Pat" Morita) Mr. Miyagi, The Karate Kid Part III, Columbia, 1990
- Chief Koal, Auntie Lee's Meat Pies, Trans World Entertainment, 1991
- Fred, Lena's Holiday, Prism Entertainment, 1991
- Kaneshiro, Do or Die (also known as Girls, Games, and Guns), Malibu Bay Films, 1991
- (As Noriyuki "Pat" Morita) Old man's brother, Strawberry Road (also known as Sutoroberi Road), Toho Company, 1991
- Ben, Moon over Paradise (also known as Goodbye Paradise), Axelia International, c. 1991
- Gus, Miracle Beach, Motion Picture Corporation of America, 1992
- Mahi Mahi, Honeymoon in Vegas, Columbia, 1992
- (English version) Narrator, Sangokushi (animated; also known as Great Conquest: The Romance of 3 Kingdoms), [Japan], 1992
- Master Tetsu, American Ninja 5: Young Ninja Warrior (also known asAmerican Ninja 5), Cannon, 1993
- (As Noriyuki "Pat" Morita) The chink, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues,Fine Line Features, 1994
- (As Noriyuki "Pat" Morita) Mr. Miyagi, The Next Karate Kid, Columbia, 1994
- (As Noriyuki "Pat" Morita) Isaiah, Timemaster, Shapiro/GlickenhausEntertainment, 1995
- Judge, The Misery Brothers, 1995
- Sam Kashawahara, Captured Alive (also known as Deliver Us fromEvil), 1995
- Brian (the waiter), Spy Hard (also known as Live and Let Spy), Buena Vista, 1996
- David Leung, Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite (also known as Bloodsport II), Odyssey Entertainment/FM Entertainment, 1996
- Dr. Jefferson, Earth Minus Zero, 1996
- Principal, Reggie's Prayer, Arrow Releasing, 1996
- (As Noriyuki "Pat" Morita) Narrator, Beyond Barbed Wire (documentary), Tribute to Freedom Foundation/Sunwood Entertainment, 1997
- Voice of the emperor of China, Mulan (animated), Buena Vista, 1998
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Genghis Khan, 1998
- Abe Tanaka, I'll Remember April, 1999
- Jubal Early, Coyote Moon (also known as Desert Heat and Inferno), Columbia/TriStar Home Video, 1999
- Voice of samurai, Los Gringos (animated short film), Mediatrip, 1999
- Taka, Talk to Taka (short film), AtomFilms, 2000
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Hammerlock, Castle Hill Productions, 2000
- Charlie Watanabe, The Boys of Sunset Ridge, PorchLight Entertainment, 2001
- Dr. Oh, Shadow Fury, Lions Gate Films/Phaedra Cinema/Pathfinder Pictures, 2001
- Kwang Luk, House of Luk, Mackinac Media, 2001
- (Uncredited) Man at poker table, Brother, Sony Pictures Classics,2001
- Taxi driver, The Center of the World, Artisan Entertainment/SummitEntertainment, 2001
- Richard Limp, The Biggest Fan, Quick Feather Productions, 2002
- Professor Stevens, The Stoneman, 2002, Terra Entertainment, 2005
- Kiro, Spymate, Miramax, 2003
- Peter Ong, Rice Girl, Alpha-O Production, 2003
- Unagi, Cats and Mice, Nosmas Pictures, 2003
- Chin Li, The Karate Dog, Crystal Sky Pictures, 2004
- Mr. Lee, 18 Fingers of Death!, Crystal Sky Pictures, 2004
- Ono Yakimoto, Down and Derby, Freestyle Releasing, 2004
- Himself, The Last Shot, Buena Vista, 2004
- Voice of the emperor of China, Mulan II (animated), Buena Vista Home Video, 2004
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Elvis Has Left the Building, Capitol Films, 2004
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Miss Cast Away, Showcase Entertainment, 2004
- Emperor Wang, Genghis Khan, Madison Motion Pictures, 2005
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The Number One Girl, Bauer Martinez Studios, 2005
- Guard, Princess, 2006
- Lao Dong, American Fusion, 2006
- Himself and Mr. Miyagi, Coming Attractions, 2006
- Tom, Angst, Dreamscape Cinema, 2006
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Television Appearances
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Series
- Barney Cook, The Queen and I, CBS, 1969
- Ah Chew, Sanford and Son, NBC, 1974-75
- Matsuo Takahashi (Arnold), Happy Days (also known as Happy DaysAgain), ABC, 1975-76, 1982-83
- Taro "Mr. T" Takahashi, Mr. T and Tina, ABC, 1976
- Arnold, Blansky's Beauties, ABC, 1977
- Lieutenant Ohara (title role), Ohara, ABC, 1987-88
- Voice of Mr. Miyagi, The Karate Kid (animated), NBC, 1989-90
- Grandpa Mike Woo, The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo, Nickelodeon andCanWest Global Television, 1996-99
- Uncle Pat, Adventures with Kango Roddy, Global Learning Channel and PBS, beginning 1998
- Hedeki Tanaka, a recurring role, Baywatch, syndicated, 2000-2001
- Host, Pioneer Living, PBS, beginning 2001
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Miniseries
- Horse, Alice in Wonderland (also known as Alice through the Looking Glass), CBS, 1985
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Movies
- Delmar Faulkenstein, A Very Missing Person (also known as Hildegarde Withers), 1972
- The house boy, Columbo: Etude in Black, NBC, 1972
- Turhan, Evil Roy Slade, NBC, 1972
- Sam Wong, Brock's Last Case, NBC, 1973
- Takahashi, Punch and Jody, NBC, 1974
- Zenahiro, Farewell to Manzanar, NBC, 1976
- Waiter, Human Feelings (also known as Miles the Angel), NBC, 1978
- Ishihara, For the Love of It, ABC, 1980
- Yip Tak, The Vegas Strip War (also known as Las Vegas Strip War), NBC, 1984
- Yoodo Toda, Hiroshima: Out of the Ashes, NBC, 1990
- Senator Kevin Naito, Mastergate, HBO, 1992
- Akira "Mooch" Mochizuki, Greyhounds, CBS, 1994
- Ling Goldberg, Hart to Hart: Secrets of the Hart, NBC, 1995
- Y. C. Kung, Singapore Sling: Road to Mandalay (also known as Asian Connection: Road to Mandalay), ABC, 1995
- David Leung, Bloodsport III, HBO, 1996
- Mr. Ono, Gone to Maui, 1999
- Nick Hashimoto, King Cobra (also known as Anaconda 2), Cinemax, 1999
- (MTV English dub) Voice of vice principal Ko, Whasango (also knownas Hwasan Highschool and Volcano High), MTV, 2001
- Mr. Leo, Stuey (also known as High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story), Starz!, 2005
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Specials
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Lola, ABC, 1975, multiple specials in 1976
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Circus of the Stars, CBS, 1977
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The Mad Mad Mad Mad World of the Super Bowl, NBC, 1977
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Human Feelings, 1978
- Host, "Jeeter Mason and the Magic Headset," ABC Weekend Specials,ABC, 1985
- Kenji Sato, Blind Alleys, syndicated, 1985
- Tommy Tanaka, Amos, CBS, 1985
- The toymaster, Babes in Toyland (operetta), NBC, 1986
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What Has Four Wheels and Flies, 1986
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The 12th Annual Circus of the Stars, CBS, 1987
- Host, Funnymen: Triple Crowns of Comedy, Showtime, 1988
- Host, One Plus One, PBS, 1989
- Narrator, "Bamboo Princess," Big Bird in Japan, PBS, 1989
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The Hollywood Christmas Parade, 1989
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Night of 100 Stars III (also known as Night of One Hundred Stars), NBC, 1990
- "Choose Your Own Adventure: The Case of the Silk King," ABC Weekend Specials, ABC, 1992
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The Happy Days Reunion Special, ABC, 1992
- Cap, Living and Working in Space: The Countdown Has Begun, PBS, 1993
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CBS All-American Thanksgiving Parade, CBS, 1993
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Extralarge: Ninja Shadow (also known as Extralarge: L'ombra delguerriero), 1993
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Komedy All Stars, syndicated, 1993
- "Concert of the Americas," The Kennedy Center Presents, PBS, 1994
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Great Moments of Discovery, The Discovery Channel, 1995
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Lamb Chop's Special Chanukah, PBS, 1995
- (Uncredited) Himself, Sports on the Silver Screen (documentary), HBO, 1997
- Narrator, Ancestors in the Americas, Part 2: Chinese in the Frontier West: An American Story, PBS, 1998
- Narrator and voice of the emperor of China, Reflections on Ice: Michelle Kwan Skates to the Music of Disney's "Mulan," ABC, 1998
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TV Guide's Truth behind the Sitcoms 4, Fox, 2000
- Narrator, Ancestors in the Americas (documentary), PBS, 2001
- Himself, TV's Illest Minority Moments Presented by Ego Trip, VH1,2004
- Himself and Matsuo Takahashi (Arnold), Happy Days: 30th Anniversary Reunion, ABC, 2005
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Awards Presentations
- Presenter, The 13th Annual People's Choice Awards, 1987
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The 59th Annual Academy Awards Presentation, 1987
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Golden Globe Awards, 1987
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The 47th Annual Golden Globe Awards, 1990
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Episodic
- Chris Yamato, "The Recruiting Poster," Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (alsoknown as Gomer Pyle), CBS, 1967
- Himself, The Woody Woodbury Show, syndicated, c. 1967
- Toshi, "Love Is under L," The Outsider, NBC, 1968
- Himself, Rowan & Martin's "Laugh-In" (also known as Laugh-In), NBC, 1968
- "Sayonara Dagwood," Blondie, CBS, 1968
- Duke, "The Littlest Kidnapper," The Courtship of Eddie's Father, ABC, 1969
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The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, NBC, 1970
- Charlie Lee, "Hawaiian Honeymoon," Green Acres, CBS, 1971
- Jason Wong, "My Son, the Sitter," Nanny and the Professor, ABC, 1971
- Tree surgeon, "Power of the Trees," The Bill Cosby Show, NBC, 1971
- "Love and the Love Potion," Love, American Style, ABC, 1971
- Bartender, "Bob and Emily and Howard and Carol and Jerry," The Bob Newhart Show, CBS, 1972
- Yamata, "Partner's Investment," The Odd Couple, ABC, 1972
- "Just Call Me Mr. Sahigmetsu," Room 222, ABC, 1972
- "Love and Lady Luck," Love, American Style, ABC, 1972
- "Love and the Woman in White," Love, American Style, ABC, 1972
- Captain Sam Pak, "Deal Me Out," M*A*S*H, CBS, 1973
- Mr. Ishi, The Brian Keith Show, NBC, 1973
- Phoebe, "Tricks Are Not Treats," Hawaii Five-O, CBS, 1973
- Captain Sam Pak, "The Chosen People," M*A*S*H, CBS, 1974
- Chuck Yamagata, "The Avenger," Cannon, CBS, 1974
- Mike Matsuto, "Anatomy of Two Rapes," Police Woman, NBC, 1974
- Arthur Chen, "Ambush," Kung Fu, ABC, 1975
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Grady, NBC, 1975
- Colonel Hiakowa, "Sergeant Gork," Sanford and Son, NBC, 1976
- Mr. Takahashi, "Career Day," Welcome Back, Kotter, ABC, 1976
- Matsuo Takahashi (Arnold), "The Graduation: Part 2," Happy Days (also known as Happy Days Again), ABC, 1977
- Moby, "Imp," The Man from Atlantis, NBC, 1977
- Pat Yamaguchi, "Charo Takes Over," Chico and the Man, NBC, 1977
- Vincent, "The Old Man and the Runway/A Fine Romance/The Painters," TheLove Boat, ABC, 1977
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The Kallikaks, NBC, 1977
- Fred, "Stop the Presses," The Incredible Hulk, CBS, 1978
- Jewelry store owner, "The Trap," Starsky and Hutch, ABC, 1978
- Tycoon, "Gopher the Rebel/Cabin Fever/Pacific Princess Overtures," TheLove Boat, ABC, 1978
- Matsuo Takahashi (Arnold), "Fonzie's Funeral: Part 2," Happy Days(also known as Happy Days Again), ABC, 1979
- Dr. Sao Tung Loa, Bizarre, Showtime, 1980
- Mr. Wong, "Separate Tables," Laverne and Shirley, ABC, 1980
- "Keep on Buckin'," Lobo, NBC, 1981
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Aloha Paradise, ABC, 1981
- Ike Tatsumi, "Recovery," Lou Grant, CBS, 1982
- Jack Metro, "One More Summer," Magnum, P.I., CBS, 1982
- Joe, "Voyage to the Planet of the Dumb," Pryor's Place, CBS, 1984
- Chip, "Mooses, Masons, and the Secret Life of Trees," Good Grief,Fox, 1990
- "The Contractor from Hell," What a Dummy, syndicated, 1990
- Charlie, "Exorcising with Dave Barry," Dave's World, CBS, 1993
- Nasser, "Fort Hope," Space Rangers, CBS, 1993
- Mr. Yoshi, "Love Hurts," The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, NBC, 1994
- Akira Hitaki, "Kendo Killing," Murder, She Wrote, CBS, 1995
- Boots McKay, "Who Killed the Motor Car Maverick?," Burke's Law, CBS, 1995
- Voice of King Makahana, "Puss in Boots," Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (animated), HBO, 1995
- Wise man, "I Was a Teenage Spy," Boy Meets World, ABC, 1995
- "In the Zone," The Outer Limits, Showtime and syndicated, 1995
- Judge, "Kingmare on Night Street," One West Waikiki, syndicated, 1996
- Mr. Shimokawa, "Turning Japanese," Married ... with Children, Fox,1996
- Wise man, "I Was a Teenage Spy," Boy Meets World, ABC, 1996
- Martin Gaylord, "Food Fight," Diagnosis Murder, CBS, 1998
- Michael Chen, "In the Zone," The Outer Limits, Showtime and syndicated, 1998
- Mr. Tanaka, "Grill of My Dreams," Family Matters, ABC, 1998
- Mr. Chu, "Caroline and the Ultimatum," Caroline in the City (alsoknown as Caroline), NBC, 1999
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Redd Foxx: The E! True Hollywood Story (documentary), E! Entertainment Network, 1999
- Mr. Park, "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?," The Hughleys, UPN, 2000
- Mr. Park, "His Park Is Worse Than the Bite," The Hughleys, UPN, 2000
- Mr. Park, "Seoul Brother Next Door," The Hughleys, UPN, 2000
- King Kumonya, "B. J. Blue Hawaii," Son of the Beach, FX Channel, 2001
- "Yes Master," Body & Soul, PAX TV, 2001
- Himself, Spy TV, NBC, 2002
- Trainer, "When Jimmy Met Greggy," Yes, Dear, CBS, 2003
- Voice of himself, "S&M Present," Robot Chicken (animated), Cartoon Network, 2005
- While credited as Noriyuki Morita, appeared in "Touched by a Reindeer," an unaired episode of First Years, NBC.
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Pilots
- Captain Irving Ho, Cops, CBS, 1973
- Tomo, The Barbara Eden Show, ABC, 1973
- Waiter, Wives, CBS, 1975
- Arnold, Blansky's Beauties, ABC, 1977
- Professor Mishugi, Young Guy Christian, ABC, 1979
- Kazi Yamamora, Crash Island, NBC, 1981
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Television Series
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Creator
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Ohara, ABC, 1987-88
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Stage Appearances
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Night of 100 Stars III (also known as Night of One Hundred Stars), Radio City Music Hall, New York City, 1990
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Major Tours
- Felix Unger, The Odd Couple, U.S. cities, 2003
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RECORDINGS
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Videos
- Rear admiral Ryunosuke Kusaka, The Making of "Midway" (short documentary), Universal Studios Home Video, 2001
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Video Games
- The emperor of China, Mulan Story Studio, Disney Interactive, 1998
- Voice of the emperor of China, Kingdom Hearts II, Square Electronic Arts/Square Enix, 2005
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Music Videos
- Alien Ant Farm, "Movies," 2001
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WRITINGS
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Screenplays
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Captive Hearts (also known as Fate of a Hunter), United Artists, 1987
Further Reference
OTHER SOURCES
Books
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Asian American Almanac, Gale, 1995
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Notable Asian Americans, Gale, 1995
Periodicals
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Entertainment Weekly, December 22, 1995, p. 79
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Jet, July 21, 1986, pp. 38-39
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Parade, February 21, 1988, p. 22
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People Weekly, June 30, 1986, pp. 101-102
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