Ralph Macchio

Early life

Macchio was born in Huntington, New York, a suburb of New York City, on November 4, 1961. He is the son of Rosalie (née DeSantis) and Ralph George Macchio Sr., who owned a few laundromats and a wastewater disposal company. Macchio has a younger brother named Steven. Ralph Sr. is of half Italian and half Greek descent while Rosalie is of Italian ancestry. In a 1980 screen test, Macchio said that his family was from Naples. In 1979, Macchio graduated from Half Hollow Hills High School West in Dix Hills, New York.

Macchio began tap dancing lessons at age three and was discovered by a talent agent at age 16.

Career

Macchio is known for appearing to be younger than he actually is and for portraying characters who are younger than he is. At age 21, he played a 16-year-old character in The Outsiders. At age 22, he played the 17-year-old Daniel LaRusso for the first time in The Karate Kid.

''Eight Is Enough'' and ''The Outsiders''

Macchio's first role came in a 1980 Bubble Yum commercial. That same year, Macchio was cast as Jeremy Andretti in the final season of Eight Is Enough. He next won the role of Johnny Cade in Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 cinematic adaptation of S. E. Hinton's novel, The Outsiders, and shared the screen with an ensemble cast that included Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon, Emilio Estevez, Leif Garrett, C. Thomas Howell, Diane Lane, Rob Lowe, and Patrick Swayze.{{cite magazine |access-date=2025-06-28

Daniel LaRusso

Original ''Karate Kid'' films

Macchio's work on The Outsiders helped him win the role of Daniel LaRusso in the 1984 blockbuster film The Karate Kid. Macchio continued to portray the character in two of its sequels, The Karate Kid Part II (1986) and The Karate Kid Part III (1989). In The Karate Kid, he portrayed a "high school weakling turned bullybuster" who learns karate from his friend and mentor, Mr. Miyagi (portrayed by Pat Morita). Macchio's work in the Karate Kid series made him "stratospherically famous."

Macchio appeared in the 2007 music video for the song "Sweep the Leg" by No More Kings as a caricature of himself and Daniel LaRusso*.*

In June 2010, Macchio appeared in Funny or Die's online short, "Wax On, F*ck Off", where his loved ones stage an intervention to turn the former child star from a well-adjusted family man into an addict besieged with tabloid scandal in order to help his career, with frequent references to The Karate Kid. A recurring joke in the sketch is that Macchio is confused for an adolescent. The short was lauded by *TV Guide'''s Bruce Fretts, who referred to the video as "sidesplitting" and "comic gold."

In 2013, Macchio appeared in How I Met Your Mother. One of the main characters, Barney Stinson, asserts that Macchio's character, Daniel LaRusso, in The Karate Kid is not the real karate kid; instead, it is Johnny Lawrence, Daniel's nemesis in the film. That same year, he also voiced Daniel LaRusso along with a few other characters in an episode of Robot Chicken. During a celebration of the 30th anniversary of The Karate Kid at the Japanese American National Museum in 2014, Macchio said that the yellow 1947 Ford Super Deluxe convertible that his character Daniel receives from Mr. Miyagi in the first film was sitting in his garage.

''Cobra Kai''

Main article: Cobra Kai

From 2018 to 2025, Macchio reprised the role of Daniel LaRusso for the martial arts comedy drama television series Cobra Kai created by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg, and distributed by Sony Pictures Television. Cobra Kai premiered on May 2, 2018, and concluded on February 13, 2025, after six seasons consisting of 65 episodes. Originally released on YouTube Red / YouTube Premium for its first two seasons, the series later moved to Netflix. Cobra Kai re-examines The Karate Kid films as Johnny Lawrence's "redemption story" that questions his role as a villain and also introduces the struggles that both Daniel and Johnny face with their respective father figures.

In 2022, Macchio published his memoir Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me, where he reflects upon the legacy of the Karate Kid films and Cobra Kai. The book went on to become a New York Times best seller.

''Karate Kid: Legends''

In 2025, Macchio teamed up with Jackie Chan to again reprise the role of Daniel LaRusso in Karate Kid: Legends.

Other roles

In 1986, Macchio appeared in the 1986 film Crossroads, portraying music student Eugene Martone. That same year, Macchio starred in Cuba and His Teddy Bear on Broadway, alongside Robert De Niro.

In 1992, Macchio starred opposite Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei in the hit comedy film My Cousin Vinny, playing Billy Gambini, who was wrongfully accused of murder while passing through a small Alabama town.

In 1996, Macchio performed the lead role of J. Pierrepont Finch in the U.S. tour revival of the 1962 Tony Award-winning musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and received positive reviews. Referring to his performance as a chorister in a high school production of the same musical, Macchio said, "I was known as the 'Dancing Kid,' not that I was all that great. But I had been dancing since the age of three, taking lessons at the June Claire School of Dance in Babylon, Long Island."

In 2005, Macchio played himself in the HBO series Entourage.

On September 20, 2010, Macchio played the adult Carl Morelli in a staged reading of the Charles Messina play A Room of My Own presented by The Bleecker Street Theatre Company. His Funny or Die video entitled Wax On, Fck Off,* became a viral sensation in 2010. In February 2011, it was announced that Macchio would compete on ABC's Dancing with the Stars. He was eliminated during the semi-finals, placing fourth in the overall competition. Macchio appeared in Canadian band Danko Jones' music videos for "Had Enough" and "I Think Bad Thoughts."

In April 2012, Macchio was cast in the film Hitchcock, based on the non-fiction book Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho. He portrayed Psycho screenwriter Joseph Stefano. Some of his other film credits include Distant Thunder, Naked in New York, A Good Night to Die, Beer League and both Too Much Sun and Up the Academy with Robert Downey Jr. From 2017 to 2019, Macchio had a reucuring role as Officer Haddix on The Deuce.

Macchio has directed two short films: Love Thy Brother *(*2002) and Across The Alley (2013); both won awards at U.S.-based film festivals.

2024–present

Macchio was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in November 2024. In October 2024, he was featured prominently in the music video of the Coldplay song “The Karate Kid”. Macchio later joined the band on stage to perform the song during a show in Melbourne, Australia.

Personal life

Macchio was introduced to his future wife, Phyllis Fierro, by his grandmother when he was 15. They got married on April 5, 1987, and have two children together: Julia (b. 1992) and Daniel (b. 1996). Fierro is a nurse practitioner. Julia appeared in seasons 4 and 5 of Cobra Kai, portraying her father's character's cousin named Vanessa LaRusso.

Macchio is a fan of the New York Islanders hockey team and was featured as the team's celebrity captain in the 1991 Pro Set Platinum trading card series. A 2016 bobblehead promotion saw his likeness in the team's uniform donning the iconic 'crane kick' pose from The Karate Kid. On March 18, 2018, Macchio threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a New York Mets game with William Zabka serving as the catcher.

Macchio earned his black belt in karate in April 2025, a little more than 40 years after portraying Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid. In 2023, Macchio said that before the filming, he was trained in the Okinawan Gōjū-ryū defensive style of karate used by Pat Morita's Mr. Miyagi character. In May 2025, Macchio and his Karate Kid: Legends co-star Jackie Chan were awarded an honorary black belt by the World Karate Federation during the film's New York premiere. Macchio still trains regularly as of 2025 and has credited the sport for helping him stay in shape. In 2022, Macchio was inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame, and was honored as a special recognition inductee “for his contribution to martial arts and sporting culture in America and beyond.”

Macchio is involved with multiple charities that support medical research and children's causes, such as the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund and the Maurer Foundation. In 2016, he took part in a benefit featuring a screening of The Karate Kid to raise funds for a local wildlife rescue center. Macchio is also a strong advocate of breast health education and prevention due to his wife having a breast cancer scare in the past.

Filmography

Film

Television

Theatre

Music videos

Video games

Awards and nominations

Book

References

References

1. (November 20, 2024). "Ralph Macchio Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame as His 'Cobra Kai' Costars Praise His 'Old-Fashioned Class'".
2. (September 10, 2009). "Open Legislation: Resolution J3158-2009: Congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Macchio upon the occasion of their 50th Anniversary".
3. "American Gypsies: Q&A With Executive Producer Ralph Macchio". [[National Geographic Society]].
4. [http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/american-gypsies/q-a-with-ralph-macchio/ Q&A With Executive Producer Ralph Macchio] {{webarchive. link. (August 19, 2012. [[National Geographic (American TV channel)). National Geographic Channel]].
5. (March 4, 2014). "Ralph Macchio and Phil Hartman screen test". Youtube.
6. (2010). "The Francis Ford Coppola Encyclopedia". Scarecrow Press.
7. Gaughan, Liam. (2024-08-31). "Did Ralph Macchio Really Learn Karate for 'Karate Kid'?".
8. Paterson, Colin. (November 24, 2022). "Ralph Macchio: The Karate Kid on success in his 60s".
9. Gostin, Nicki. (January 6, 2021). "Ralph Macchio reveals how he remains ageless at 59".
10. Shahid, Javeria. (November 5, 2025). "Ralph Macchio turns 64: Fans shocked by his real age".
11. Kroll, Katy. (November 12, 2025). "How Old Was Ralph Macchio In The Outsiders?".
12. Trainluvr. (2019-05-08). "Bubble Yum TV ad with Ralph Macchio 1980".
13. Cerone, Daniel. (July 1, 1989). "Macchio at 27: The Man Who Lives Inside the 'Kid'". Los Angeles Times.
14. Rosen, J.J.. (November 22, 2019). "Mr. Miyagi and the quest for the perfect mentor". The Tennessean.
15. Anagnoson, Alex. (December 14, 2021). "WATCH: 'Cobra Kai' Cast Starred in a 2007 Music Video".
16. {{YouTube. r3iYmgDJ4FE. No More Kings "Sweep the Leg" (No More Kings Official YouTube Page)
17. link. (October 30, 2022 [[Funny or Die]]; 2010)
18. Fretts, Bruce. "Cheers & Jeers"; ''[[TV Guide]]''; July 5, 2010; Page 92
19. Gonzalez, Sandra. (April 29, 2013). "'How I Met Your Mother' recap: The Barney". Entertainment Weekly.
20. Chi, Paul. (June 1, 2009). "'The Karate Kid' All Grown Up".
21. Sorokach, Josh. (February 14, 2025). "'Cobra Kai' Is The Ultimate Johnny Lawrence Redemption Story 'Karate Kid' Fans Never Knew They Always Needed". Decider.com.
22. Gardner, Chris. (October 30, 2022). "Ralph Macchio on How He Survived Lean Years in His Career: "I Still Live Fairly Modestly"". [[Hollywood Reporter]].
23. Arnold, Zack. (2022-11-28). "Ralph Macchio 'Waxing On' About Authentically Living a More Balanced and Fulfilling Life".
24. D'Alessandro, Anthony. (April 26, 2024). "'Kraven The Hunter' Heads To December, 'Karate Kid' To Chop Next Summer: Sony Release Date Changes".
25. (April 24, 1996). "How Ralph Macchio ''Succeeds''". Playbill.
26. Rousuck, J. Wynn. (May 31, 1996). "A cheery revival for 'How to Succeed' Review: Grown-up Ralph Macchio charms as this updated '61 Pulitzer Prize musical opens a national tour here". The Baltimore Sun.
27. Lenzi, Linda. (September 21, 2010). "Photo Coverage: Cantone, Macchio et al. in A ROOM OF MY OWN".
28. Sancton, Julian. (2010-06-10). "Wax on, Fuck Off:" No More Mr. Nice Ralph Macchio".
29. Chen, Joyce. (May 18, 2011). "'Dancing with the Stars' semi-finals recap: Ralph Macchio, Karina Smirnoff knocked out of the running". Daily News.
30. Kenneally, Tim. (March 28, 2011). "Ralph Macchio, Elijah Wood Think Bad Thoughts in Indie Music Clip". [[The Wrap]].
31. Fleming, Mike Jr. (April 17, 2012). "Ralph Macchio Plays 'Psycho' Scribe Joe Stefano In 'Hitchcock'".
32. kristen. (2024-11-20). "Ralph Macchio".
33. "BoyActors - Love Thy Brother (2001)".
34. McCracken, Kristin. (2013-09-30). "Q&A: Director Ralph Macchio on 'Across Grace Alley'".
35. (November 20, 2024). "Ralph Macchio Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame as His Cobra Kai Costars Praise His 'Old-Fashioned Class'".
36. Schneider, Michael. (2024-11-20). "Ralph Macchio on Why Now Was the Right Time to End 'Cobra Kai,' the Future of Daniel LaRusso and That Coldplay Music Video".
37. Paul, Larisha. (2024-11-01). "Watch Ralph Macchio Join Coldplay for Full-Circle 'The Karate Kid' Performance".
38. "Ralph Macchio's 2 Kids: All About Julia and Daniel".
39. (January 4, 2012). "Ralph Macchio's 50th Birthday: From Karate Kid To Dancing Star". [[Huffington Post]].
40. Valle, Jocelyn. (June 25, 2010). "Whatever happened to Ralph Macchio?". [[Philippine Daily Inquirer]].
41. Barry, Sal. (November 4, 2016). "Ralph Macchio: Celebrity Hockey Captain".
42. (October 25, 2016). "Ralph Macchio gets kicking Islanders bobblehead".
43. MLB. (2018-05-18). "Ralph Macchio throws out first pitch to William Zabka".
44. Holleran, Andrew. (April 8, 2025). "Ralph Macchio Breaks Major News About His Karate Career".
45. Gilbert, Ben. (September 18, 2023). "'Everyone was doing the crane kick': Ralph Macchio on making The Karate Kid". The Guardian.
46. "World Karate Federation Presents Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio with Black Belts in Karate at the Karate Kid: Legends US Premiere – ahead of global WKF and film collaboration".
47. (2025-04-08). "Ralph Macchio is now a Black belt in karate". Associated Press.
48. Vaccaro, Chris. (2022-06-06). "Macchio, Ralph".
49. Hoey, Peggy Spellman. (2022-01-13). "LI's 'Karate Kid' Ralph Macchio Makes Suffolk Sports Hall Of Fame".
50. "Actor/Director Ralph Macchio to be Honored with Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame".
51. Braat, Sydney A.. (2016-11-10). "Ralph Macchio Attending Hamptons "The Karate Kid" Fundraiser".
52. "Ralph Macchio 'Revved Up' Awareness of Important Health Screenings - Stony Brook University Newsroom".
53. DeSantis, Michael. (2024-10-03). "Ralph Macchio Wants To 'Give Back To LI', Attends Breast Cancer Gala; Talks New Film".
54. Bierly, Mandi. (June 11, 2010). "Ralph Macchio Q&A: The story behind 'Wax On, F*ck Off'". Entertainment Weekly.
55. Grobar, Matt. (2025-08-14). "Maggie Grace, Devon Sawa, Tiffany Haddish & Ralph Macchio To Star In Crime Thriller 'The Girl In The River'".
56. Bubbeo, Daniel. (February 9, 2018). "Ralph Macchio to guest star on 'Kevin Can Wait'". Newsday.
57. Maglio, Tony. (November 30, 2018). "Watch 'Conan' Producer Jordan Schlansky Get Totally Owned by Childhood Hero Ralph Macchio (Video)".
58. Rousuck, J. Wynn. (May 31, 1996). "A cheery revival for 'How to Succeed' Review: Grown-up Ralph Macchio charms as this updated '61 Pulitzer Prize musical opens a national tour here'". The Baltimore Sun.
59. Berson, Misha. (October 10, 1996). "'How To Succeed' In Show Business... – Since His 'Karate Kid' Days, Ralph Macchio Has Matured – In Age And Talent". The Seattle Times.