10 Actors We Still Can't Believe Are Oscar Nominees

9. Pat Morita (The Karate Kid)

I'm as big a fan of The Karate Kid as anyone, but this one still doesn't make much sense to me almost 30 years later. Yes, the late Pat Morita was extremely entertaining as karate master Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid, but was it really a nomination-worthy performance? If anything, it seems more like a turn that would be recognised by the more populist Golden Globes (and they did just that), whereas the Oscars simply wouldn't have the inclination or space for a performance like this, that they would usually perceive as frivolous. Yet in a weak year, more frothy turns can make the cut, as must have happened here. Again, nothing against Morita, but these iconic pop culture performances are rarely the sort that are considered for Academy Awards, especially back in the 1980s.