Ralph George Macchio Jr. (/ˈmɑːtʃioʊ/ MAH-chee-oh, Italian: [ˈmakkjo]; born November 4, 1961) is an American actor. He is best known for playing Daniel LaRusso in four Karate Kid films (the 1984 film The Karate Kid and its sequels, The Karate Kid Part II in 1986, The Karate Kid Part III in 1989, and the upcoming Karate Kid: Legends in 2025), as well as in Cobra Kai (2018–present), a sequel television series on YouTube Premium and Netflix. Macchio also played Johnny Cade in The Outsiders (1983), Jeremy Andretti in the television series Eight Is Enough, William Gambini in My Cousin Vinny (1992), Eugene Martone in Crossroads (1986), and Archie Rodriguez in the television series Ugly Betty. He also had a recurring role as Officer Haddix in the television series The Deuce.
Ralph Macchio | |
|---|---|
 Macchio in 2019 | |
| Born | Ralph George Macchio Jr. November 4, 1961[1] Huntington, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Spouse |
Phyllis Fierro (m. 1987) |
| Children | 2 |
Macchio received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2024, next to that of his Karate Kid co-star Pat Morita.[2]
Early life
editMacchio was born in Huntington, New York in 1961.[1] 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.[3] His father is of half Italian and half Greek[4] descent, and his mother is of Italian ancestry.[5] In a 1980 screen test, Macchio said his family was from Naples.[6] In 1979, Macchio graduated from Half Hollow Hills High School West in Dix Hills, New York.[7]
Macchio began tap dancing lessons at the age of three and was discovered by a talent agent at the age of 16.[1] He also had minimal training in martial arts, as he learned little karate and jiujitsu when he was in elementary school, long before getting the role of Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid film franchise.[8]
Career
editEarly roles
editMacchio was cast as Jeremy Andretti for a season in the television series Eight Is Enough.[1] He next won the role of Johnny Cade in the 1983 film The Outsiders.[1]
Karate Kid films
editMacchio'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).[1][9] In The Karate Kid, Macchio portrayed a "high school weakling turned bullybuster"[10] who learns karate from his friend and mentor, Mr. Miyagi (portrayed by Pat Morita).[11] Macchio's work in the Karate Kid series made him "stratospherically famous."[9]
Later roles
editMacchio 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.[1][12] 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.[1] 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."[13][14]
In 2005, Macchio played himself in the HBO series Entourage.[1] Beginning in October 2008, Macchio appeared in several episodes of the ABC Network television series Ugly Betty as Archie Rodriguez, a local politician who is Hilda's love interest.[15] As of November 2008, Macchio was ranked No. 80 among VH1's 100 Greatest Teen Stars.[16]
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 Theater Company.[17] 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.[18] Macchio appeared in Canadian band Danko Jones' music videos for "Had Enough" and "I Think Bad Thoughts."[19]
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.[20]
Post-Karate Kid and Cobra Kai
edit.jpg)
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 from The Karate Kid.[21][22]
In June 2010, Macchio appeared in Funny or Die's online short, "Wax On, F*ck Off", in which 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.[23] 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."[24]
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.[25]
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 convertible that his character Daniel receives from Mr. Miyagi in the first film was sitting in his garage.[26]
On August 4, 2017, it was announced that Macchio would reprise his role as Daniel LaRusso in a 10-episode Karate Kid revival series for YouTube Red titled Cobra Kai that debuted in 2018. Macchio also co-executive produces the series with William Zabka.[1][27] The series begins 33 years after the events of the first film, and re-examines the "Miyagi-Verse" narrative from Johnny's point of view, beginning with his decision to reopen the Cobra Kai karate dojo, and the rekindling of his old rivalry with Daniel, who has been struggling to maintain balance in his life without the guidance of his now deceased mentor, Mr. Miyagi.[28][29][30]
In 2022, Macchio published the memoir Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me (Dutton), in which he reflects upon the legacy of the Karate Kid films and Cobra Kai.[31]
Personal life
editMacchio 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, a daughter named Julia (b. 1992) and a son named Daniel (b. 1996, named after Ralph's character Daniel LaRusso).[32][33][34] Fierro is a nurse practitioner.[32][33][26] Julia appeared in seasons 4 and 5 of Cobra Kai, portraying her father's character's cousin named Vanessa LaRusso.[34]
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.[35] A 2016 bobblehead promotion saw his likeness in the team's uniform donning the iconic 'crane kick' pose from The Karate Kid.[36]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Up the Academy | Chooch Bambalazi | |
| 1982 | High Powder | Eddie | Television film |
| Dangerous Company | Denny Brody | ||
| 1983 | The Outsiders | Johnny Cade | |
| 1984 | The Karate Kid | Daniel LaRusso | |
| Teachers | Eddie Pilikian | ||
| The Three Wishes of Billy Grier | Billy Grier | Television film | |
| 1986 | Crossroads | Eugene Martone | |
| The Karate Kid Part II | Daniel LaRusso | ||
| 1988 | Distant Thunder | Jack Lambert | |
| 1989 | The Karate Kid Part III | Daniel LaRusso | |
| 1990 | Too Much Sun | Frank Jr. | |
| 1992 | The Last P.O.W.: The Bobby Garwood Story | Robert Garwood | Television film |
| My Cousin Vinny | Bill Gambini | ||
| 1993 | Naked in New York | Chris | |
| 1998 | Dizzyland | N/A | Short film |
| The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue | Timmy Brisby | Voice, direct-to-video | |
| 1999 | Can't Be Heaven | Hubbie Darling | |
| 2000 | The Office Party | Sean | Short film |
| 2001 | Popcorn Shrimp | Cop #2 | |
| 2003 | A Good Night to Die | Donnie | |
| 2006 | Beer League | Maz | |
| 2009 | Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead | Bobby Bianchi | |
| 2010 | Wax On, F*ck Off[37] | Himself, concept writer | Short film |
| 2012 | Hitchcock | Joseph Stefano | |
| Holiday Spin | Ruben | Television film | |
| 2013 | He's Way More Famous Than You | Himself | |
| 2014 | A Little Game | Tom | |
| 2015 | Lost Cat Corona | Dominic | |
| 2017 | Psych: The Movie | Nick Conforth | Television film |
| 2018 | A Dog and Pony Show | Aaron | |
| 2025 | Karate Kid: Legends | Daniel LaRusso | Post-production Also executive producer |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980–1981 | Eight Is Enough | Jeremy Andretti | Recurring role (19 episodes) |
| 1982 | CBS Afternoon Playhouse | Tony Barnett | Episode: "Journey to Survival" |
| 1999 | The Outer Limits | Dr. Neal Eberhardt | Episode: "The Other Side" |
| 2000 | Chicken Soup for the Soul | Max | Episode: "Letters to Suzie" |
| Twice in a Lifetime | Officer Dan Payello/Phillip Barbosa | Episode: "My Blue Heaven" | |
| 2005 | Entourage | Himself | Episode: "Aquamansion" |
| 2007 | Head Case | Episode: "Ralph Macchio and Liz Phair" | |
| 2008–2009 | Ugly Betty | Archie Rodriguez | Recurring role (11 episodes) |
| 2010 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Louis Marciano | Episode: "Inhumane Society" |
| Psych | Nick Conforth | Episode: "We'd Like to Thank the Academy" | |
| 2011 | The Whole Truth | Frankie Berlito | Episode: "Lost in Translation" |
| Dancing with the Stars | Himself (contestant) | Placed in fourth (17 episodes) | |
| 2012 | Happily Divorced | Frankie | Episodes: "Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place" (Parts 1 & 2) |
| 2013 | Robot Chicken | Daniel LaRusso, Colonel Steven Shay, Janitor | Voice, episode: "Caffeine-Induced Aneurysm" |
| How I Met Your Mother | Himself | Episode: "The Bro Mitzvah" | |
| 2014 | Psych | Logan Phelps | Episode: "Remake A.K.A. Cloudy... With a Chance of Improvement" |
| 2016 | Comedy Central Roast of Rob Lowe | Himself/roaster | Television special |
| 2017–2019 | The Deuce | Officer Haddix | Recurring role (17 episodes) |
| 2017 | Whose Line Is It Anyway? | Himself | Special Guest (Season 13, Episode 8) |
| 2018 | Kevin Can Wait | Alviti[38] | 2 episodes: "The Smoking Bun" and "Phat Monkey" |
| Conan | Himself | Episode: "Conan Without Borders: Japan"; pre-recorded video clip[39] | |
| 2018–present | Cobra Kai | Daniel LaRusso | Main role, also directed "Sleeper" Continuation of The Karate Kid film series |
Theatre
edit| Year | Production | Role | Theater |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Cuba and his Teddy Bear | Teddy | The Public Theater |
| 1996–1997 | How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying | J. Pierrepont Finch | US national tour[40][41] |
Music videos
edit| Year | Title | Artist | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Sweep the Leg | No More Kings | Himself / Daniel LaRusso |
| 2010 | "Had Enough" | Danko Jones | Dr. Lee Dorian |
| 2011 | "I Think Bad Thoughts" | ||
| 2012 | "The Ballad of Danko Jones" | ||
| 2024 | "The Karate Kid" | Coldplay | Busker |
Video games
edit| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues | Daniel LaRusso |
| 2022 | Cobra Kai 2: Dojos Rising |
Book
edit- Macchio, Ralph (2022). Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me. Dutton. ISBN 978-0593185834.[31]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Ralph Macchio". Biography. August 16, 2019. Archived from the original on April 29, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
- ^ Mangalindan, JP; Esquibias, Liza (November 20, 2024). "Ralph Macchio Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame as His 'Cobra Kai' Costars Praise His 'Old-Fashioned Class'". People. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- ^ "Open Legislation: Resolution J3158-2009: Congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Macchio upon the occasion of their 50th Anniversary". NY State Senate. September 10, 2009. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013.
- ^ "American Gypsies: Q&A With Executive Producer Ralph Macchio". National Geographic Society. Archived from the original on October 3, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
Actually, I have a little Greek in the bloodstream as well (my Dad is half Greek).
- ^ Q&A With Executive Producer Ralph Macchio Archived August 19, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. National Geographic Channel.
- ^ "Ralph Macchio and Phil Hartman screen test". Youtube. March 4, 2014. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
- ^ Welsh, James M.; Phillips, Gene D.; Hill, Rodney F. (2010). The Francis Ford Coppola Encyclopedia. Scarecrow Press. p. 167. ISBN 9780810876514.
- ^ Gaughan, Liam (August 31, 2024). "Did Ralph Macchio Really Learn Karate for 'Karate Kid'?". Collider. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ^ a b Freeman, Hadley (August 25, 2020). "Karate Kid Ralph Macchio: 'I'm at peace with the choices I made'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ Cerone, Daniel (July 1, 1989). "Macchio at 27: The Man Who Lives Inside the 'Kid'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 22, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ Rosen, J.J. (November 22, 2019). "Mr. Miyagi and the quest for the perfect mentor". The Tennessean. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ Gussow, Mel (May 19, 1986). "Theater: 'Cuba and His Teddy Bear'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "How Ralph Macchio Succeeds". Playbill. April 24, 1996. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
- ^ 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. Archived from the original on September 22, 2012. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
- ^ DiNunno, Gina (March 12, 2009). "Ugly Betty's Ralph Macchio Returns for Some Romance". TV Guide. Archived from the original on August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ "100 Greatest Teen Stars #'s 80-61". vh1devas2000live.com. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on December 6, 2008. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
- ^ Lenzi, Linda (September 21, 2010). "Photo Coverage: Cantone, Macchio et al. in A ROOM OF MY OWN". Broadway World. Archived from the original on November 5, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
- ^ Chen, Joyce (May 18, 2011). "'Dancing with the Stars' semi-finals recap: Ralph Macchio, Karina Smirnoff knocked out of the running". Daily News. New York. Archived from the original on May 21, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
- ^ Kenneally, Tim (March 28, 2011). "Ralph Macchio, Elijah Wood Think Bad Thoughts in Indie Music Clip". The Wrap. Archived from the original on April 4, 2011. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr (April 17, 2012). "Ralph Macchio Plays 'Psycho' Scribe Joe Stefano In 'Hitchcock'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
- ^ Anagnoson, Alex (December 14, 2021). "WATCH: 'Cobra Kai' Cast Starred in a 2007 Music Video". Heavy. Archived from the original on October 30, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
- ^ No More Kings "Sweep the Leg" (No More Kings Official YouTube Page) on YouTube
- ^ "Wax On, F*ck Off with Ralph Macchio" Archived October 30, 2022, at the Wayback Machine Funny or Die; 2010
- ^ Fretts, Bruce. "Cheers & Jeers"; TV Guide; July 5, 2010; Page 92
- ^ Gonzalez, Sandra (April 29, 2013). "'How I Met Your Mother' recap: The Barney". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 2, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
- ^ a b Chi, Paul (June 1, 2009). "'The Karate Kid' All Grown Up". People. Archived from the original on May 19, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (August 4, 2017). "'Karate Kid' TV Sequel, Starring Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, a Go at YouTube Red". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 28, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (August 4, 2017). "'Karate Kid' TV Sequel, Starring Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, a Go at YouTube Red". MSN. Microsoft. Archived from the original on March 22, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ^ Topel, Fred (April 27, 2019). "'Cobra Kai' Season 2: About That 'Karate Kid' Reunion in Episode 6…". /Film. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
- ^ Haddad, Vincent (February 11, 2019). "Masculinity on the Mat". Public Books. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
- ^ a b Gardner, Chris (October 30, 2022). "Ralph Macchio on How He Survived Lean Years in His Career: "I Still Live Fairly Modestly"". Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 30, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
- ^ a b "Ralph Macchio's 50th Birthday: From Karate Kid To Dancing Star". Huffington Post. January 4, 2012. slide 6. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
- ^ a b Valle, Jocelyn (June 25, 2010). "Whatever happened to Ralph Macchio?". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on June 28, 2010. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
- ^ a b "Ralph Macchio's 2 Kids: All About Julia and Daniel". People.com. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ^ Barry, Sal (November 4, 2016). "Ralph Macchio: Celebrity Hockey Captain". Puck Junk. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
- ^ "Ralph Macchio gets kicking Islanders bobblehead". NHL.com. October 25, 2016. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
- ^ Bierly, Mandi (June 11, 2010). "Ralph Macchio Q&A: The story behind 'Wax On, F*ck Off'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 24, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ^ Bubbeo, Daniel (February 9, 2018). "Ralph Macchio to guest star on 'Kevin Can Wait'". Newsday. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
Macchio will guest star on two episodes ... Macchio will play 'Alviti,' the head of a company turning Long Island properties into parking lots
- ^ Maglio, Tony (November 30, 2018). "Watch 'Conan' Producer Jordan Schlansky Get Totally Owned by Childhood Hero Ralph Macchio (Video)". The Wrap. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
- ^ 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. Archived from the original on September 22, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
- ^ 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. Archived from the original on October 2, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
