Editing Ralph Macchio

{{short description|American actor (born 1961)}}
{{for|the editor|Ralph Macchio (editor)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Ralph Macchio
| image              = Ralph Macchio Photo Op GalaxyCon Richmond 2019 (3x4 cropped).jpg
| caption            = Macchio in 2019
| birth_name         = Ralph George Macchio Jr.
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age |1961|11|4}}<ref name=biocom>{{cite web
|url=https://www.biography.com/actor/ralph-macchio
|title=Ralph Macchio
|access-date=November 13, 2019
|date=August 16, 2019
|website=[[Biography (TV program)|Biography]]
|archive-date=April 29, 2020
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429063147/https://www.biography.com/actor/ralph-macchio
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
| birth_place        = [[Huntington, New York]], U.S.
| occupation         = Actor
| years_active       = 1979–present
| spouse             = {{marriage|Phyllis Fierro|1987}}
| children           = 2
}}
'''Ralph George Macchio Jr.''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ɑː|tʃ|i|oʊ}} {{respell|MAH|chee|oh}}, {{IPA|it|ˈmakkjo|lang}}; born November 4, 1961) is an American actor. He is known for portraying [[Daniel LaRusso]] in the [[The Karate Kid (franchise)|''Karate Kid'' films]] (1984–1989, 2025), a role he reprised in the martial arts series ''[[Cobra Kai]]'' (2018–2025). For his work in the latter, he was nominated for two [[Critics' Choice Super Awards|Critics' Choice Awards]] and a [[Primetime Emmy Awards|Primetime Emmy Award]]. In 2024, he received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Mangalindan |first1=JP |last2=Esquibias |first2=Liza |date=November 20, 2024 |title=Ralph Macchio Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame as His 'Cobra Kai' Costars Praise His 'Old-Fashioned Class' |url=https://people.com/ralph-macchio-receives-star-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame-8748411 |access-date=December 9, 2024 |magazine=People}}</ref>

Macchio's film appearances include the [[Coming-of-age story|coming-of-age]] crime drama ''[[The Outsiders (film)|The Outsiders]]'' (1983), the comedy ''[[My Cousin Vinny]]'' (1992), and the musical drama ''[[Crossroads (1986 film)|Crossroads]]'' (1986). He also held recurring roles in the comedy drama series ''[[Eight Is Enough]]'' (1980–1981) and ''[[Ugly Betty]]'' (2008–2009), and in the drama series ''[[The Deuce (TV series)|The Deuce]]'' (2017–2019).

==Early life==
Macchio was born in [[Huntington, New York]] in 1961.<ref name="biocom" /> He is the son of Rosalie (née DeSantis) and Ralph George Macchio Sr., who owned a few [[self-service laundry|laundromats]] and a wastewater disposal company. Macchio has a younger brother named Steven.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |url=http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/J3158-2009 |website=NY State Senate |title=Open Legislation: Resolution J3158-2009: Congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Macchio upon the occasion of their 50th Anniversary |date=September 10, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109222807/http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/J3158-2009 |archive-date=November 9, 2013 }}</ref> His father is of half [[Italians|Italian]] and half [[Greeks|Greek]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/american-gypsies/articles/qa-with-executive-producer-ralph-macchio/|title=American Gypsies: Q&A With Executive Producer Ralph Macchio|publisher=[[National Geographic Society]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003122419/http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/american-gypsies/articles/qa-with-executive-producer-ralph-macchio/|archive-date=October 3, 2013|access-date=October 4, 2013|quote=Actually, I have a little Greek in the bloodstream as well (my Dad is half Greek).}}</ref> descent, and his mother is of Italian ancestry.<ref>[http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/american-gypsies/q-a-with-ralph-macchio/ Q&A With Executive Producer Ralph Macchio] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819012728/http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/american-gypsies/q-a-with-ralph-macchio|date=August 19, 2012}}. [[National Geographic (American TV channel)|National Geographic Channel]].</ref> In a 1980 [[screen test]], Macchio said his family was from [[Naples]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPzf1M4Cprg | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/sPzf1M4Cprg| archive-date=November 17, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Ralph Macchio and Phil Hartman screen test |work=Youtube | date=March 4, 2014|access-date=October 10, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 1979, Macchio graduated from [[Half Hollow Hills Central School District|Half Hollow Hills High School West]] in [[Dix Hills, New York]].<ref>{{Cite book|first1=James M. |last1=Welsh |first2=Gene D. |last2=Phillips |first3=Rodney F. |last3=Hill|title=The Francis Ford Coppola Encyclopedia|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year=2010|isbn=9780810876514|location=|pages=167}}</ref>

Macchio began tap dancing lessons at the age of three and was discovered by a [[talent agent]] at the age of 16.<ref name=biocom/> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gaughan |first=Liam |date=2024-08-31 |title=Did Ralph Macchio Really Learn Karate for 'Karate Kid'? |url=https://collider.com/did-ralph-macchio-really-learn-karate/#:~:text=Macchio%20admitted%20that%20he%20only,no%20experience%20with%20martial%20arts. |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Collider |language=en}}</ref>

==Career==
===Early roles===
Macchio was cast as Jeremy Andretti for a season in the television series ''[[Eight Is Enough]]''.<ref name=biocom/> He next won the role of Johnny Cade in the 1983 film ''[[The Outsiders (film)|The Outsiders]]''.<ref name=biocom/>

===''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).<ref name=biocom/><ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/aug/25/karate-kid-ralph-macchio-im-at-peace-with-the-choices-i-made-cobra-kai|title=Karate Kid Ralph Macchio: 'I'm at peace with the choices I made'|date=August 25, 2020|work=The Guardian|first=Hadley|last=Freeman|access-date=August 23, 2021|archive-date=August 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823062937/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/aug/25/karate-kid-ralph-macchio-im-at-peace-with-the-choices-i-made-cobra-kai|url-status=live}}</ref> In ''The Karate Kid'', Macchio portrayed a "high school weakling turned bullybuster"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-07-01-ca-2367-story.html|title=Macchio at 27: The Man Who Lives Inside the 'Kid'|date=July 1, 1989|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=August 23, 2021|first=Daniel|last=Cerone|archive-date=February 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222004829/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-07-01-ca-2367-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> who learns karate from his friend and mentor, Mr. Miyagi (portrayed by [[Pat Morita]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2019/11/22/mr-miyagi-and-quest-perfect-mentor/4261349002/|title=Mr. Miyagi and the quest for the perfect mentor|first=J.J.|last=Rosen|work=The Tennessean|date=November 22, 2019|access-date=August 23, 2021|archive-date=February 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210091758/https://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2019/11/22/mr-miyagi-and-quest-perfect-mentor/4261349002/|url-status=live}}</ref> Macchio's work in the ''Karate Kid'' series made him "stratospherically famous."<ref name="auto"/>

===Later roles===
Macchio appeared in the 1986 film ''[[Crossroads (1986 film)|Crossroads]]'', portraying music student Eugene Martone. That same year, Macchio starred in ''Cuba and His Teddy Bear'' on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]], alongside [[Robert De Niro]].<ref name=biocom/><ref>{{cite news | last =Gussow | first =Mel | title =Theater: 'Cuba and His Teddy Bear' | newspaper =[[The New York Times]] | date =May 19, 1986 | url =https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/19/theater/theater-cuba-and-his-teddy-bear.html | access-date =April 25, 2019 | archive-date =April 17, 2020 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20200417122821/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/19/theater/theater-cuba-and-his-teddy-bear.html | url-status =live }}</ref> 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.<ref name=biocom/> 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 (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."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/features/article/64275-How-Ralph-Macchio-Succeeds |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908121428/http://www.playbill.com/features/article/64275-How-Ralph-Macchio-Succeeds |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 8, 2012 |title=How Ralph Macchio ''Succeeds'' |work=Playbill |date=April 24, 1996 |access-date=March 23, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1996/05/31/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/ |title=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 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |first=J. Wynn |last=Rousuck |date=May 31, 1996 |access-date=March 23, 2011 |archive-date=September 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922084255/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1996-05-31/features/1996152118_1_ralph-macchio-finch-rosemary |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2005, Macchio played himself in the [[HBO]] series ''[[Entourage (U.S. TV series)|Entourage]]''.<ref name=biocom/> Beginning in October 2008, Macchio appeared in several episodes of the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC Network]] television series ''[[Ugly Betty]]'' as Archie Rodriguez, a local politician who is Hilda's love interest.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/ugly-bettys-ralph-1003946/ |title=Ugly Betty's Ralph Macchio Returns for Some Romance |date=March 12, 2009 |work=TV Guide |first=Gina |last=DiNunno |access-date=August 23, 2021 |archive-date=August 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823132643/https://www.tvguide.com/news/ugly-bettys-ralph-1003946/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As of November 2008, Macchio was ranked No. 80 among [[VH1]]'s ''100 Greatest Teen Stars''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vh1divas2000live.com/shows/dyn/the_greatest/97835/episode_featured_copy.jhtml |title=100 Greatest Teen Stars #'s 80-61 |access-date=November 15, 2008 |work=vh1devas2000live.com |publisher=MTV Networks |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206054910/http://www.vh1divas2000live.com/shows/dyn/the_greatest/97835/episode_featured_copy.jhtml |archive-date=December 6, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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.<ref name=Lenzi>{{cite web|last=Lenzi|first=Linda|title=Photo Coverage: Cantone, Macchio et al. in A ROOM OF MY OWN|url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_Cantone_Macchio_et_al_in_A_ROOM_OF_MY_OWN_20100921|website=Broadway World|date=September 21, 2010|access-date=June 24, 2011|archive-date=November 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105012506/http://broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_Cantone_Macchio_et_al_in_A_ROOM_OF_MY_OWN_20100921|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2011, it was announced that Macchio would compete on ABC's ''[[Dancing with the Stars (U.S. season 12)|Dancing with the Stars]]''. He was eliminated during the semi-finals, placing fourth in the overall competition.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2011/05/18/2011-05-18_dancing_with_the_stars_semifinals_recap_ralph_macchio_karina_smirnoff_knocked_ou.html |title='Dancing with the Stars' semi-finals recap: Ralph Macchio, Karina Smirnoff knocked out of the running |access-date=May 18, 2011 |location=New York |work=Daily News |first=Joyce |last=Chen |date=May 18, 2011 |archive-date=May 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521080223/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2011/05/18/2011-05-18_dancing_with_the_stars_semifinals_recap_ralph_macchio_karina_smirnoff_knocked_ou.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Macchio appeared in Canadian band [[Danko Jones]]' music videos for "Had Enough" and "I Think Bad Thoughts."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/tv/column-post/ralph-macchio-and-elijah-wood-think-bad-thoughts-indie-music-clip-video-25891 |title=Ralph Macchio, Elijah Wood Think Bad Thoughts in Indie Music Clip |date=March 28, 2011 |publisher=[[The Wrap]] |access-date=March 28, 2011 |first=Tim |last=Kenneally |archive-date=April 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404233647/http://www.thewrap.com/tv/column-post/ralph-macchio-and-elijah-wood-think-bad-thoughts-indie-music-clip-video-25891 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In April 2012, Macchio was cast in the film ''[[Hitchcock (film)|Hitchcock]]'', based on the non-fiction book ''[[Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho]]''. He portrayed ''[[Psycho (1960 film)|Psycho]]'' screenwriter [[Joseph Stefano]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.deadline.com/2012/04/ralph-macchio-plays-psycho-scribe-joe-stefano-in-hitchcock/ |title=Ralph Macchio Plays 'Psycho' Scribe Joe Stefano In 'Hitchcock' |date=April 17, 2012 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=April 19, 2012 |first=Mike Jr |last=Fleming |archive-date=April 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419171033/http://www.deadline.com/2012/04/ralph-macchio-plays-psycho-scribe-joe-stefano-in-hitchcock/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Post-''Karate Kid'' and ''Cobra Kai''===
[[File: Ralph Macchio (36077374162).jpg|thumb|180px|right|Macchio in 2017]]
Macchio appeared in the 2007 music video for the song "[[No More Kings#Sweep the Leg|Sweep the Leg]]" by [[No More Kings]] as a caricature of himself and Daniel LaRusso from ''The Karate Kid.''<ref name="starred">{{cite magazine |last=Anagnoson |first=Alex |url=https://heavy.com/entertainment/cobra-kai/karate-kid-cast-2007-music-video/ |title=WATCH: 'Cobra Kai' Cast Starred in a 2007 Music Video |magazine=[[Heavy (website)|Heavy]] |date=December 14, 2021 |accessdate=October 20, 2022 |archive-date=October 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030153947/https://heavy.com/entertainment/cobra-kai/karate-kid-cast-2007-music-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="officialnomorekings">{{YouTube|r3iYmgDJ4FE|No More Kings "Sweep the Leg" (No More Kings Official YouTube Page)}}</ref>

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''.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAtd2r49wFw "Wax On, F*ck Off with Ralph Macchio"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030153158/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAtd2r49wFw |date=October 30, 2022 }} [[Funny or Die]]; 2010</ref> 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."<ref>Fretts, Bruce. "Cheers & Jeers"; ''[[TV Guide]]''; July 5, 2010; Page 92</ref>

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 (character)|Johnny Lawrence]], Daniel's nemesis in the film.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2013/04/29/how-i-met-your-mother-recap-william-zabka|title='How I Met Your Mother' recap: The Barney|first=Sandra|last=Gonzalez|newspaper=Entertainment Weekly|date=April 29, 2013|access-date=October 27, 2015|archive-date=March 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302235243/http://www.ew.com/article/2013/04/29/how-i-met-your-mother-recap-william-zabka|url-status=live}}</ref>

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.<ref name=grown>{{cite magazine |url=http://people.com/archive/the-karate-kid-all-grown-up-vol-71-no-21/ |title='The Karate Kid' All Grown Up |magazine=People |first=Paul |last=Chi |date=June 1, 2009 |access-date=May 4, 2018 |archive-date=May 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519074300/http://people.com/archive/the-karate-kid-all-grown-up-vol-71-no-21/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

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]].<ref name="biocom" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Goldberg |first=Lesley |date=August 4, 2017 |title='Karate Kid' TV Sequel, Starring Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, a Go at YouTube Red |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/karate-kid-tv-sequel-starring-ralph-macchio-william-zabka-a-go-at-youtube-red-1014453 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628092655/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/karate-kid-tv-sequel-starring-ralph-macchio-william-zabka-a-go-at-youtube-red-1014453 |archive-date=June 28, 2019 |access-date=February 9, 2018 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> The series begins 33 years after the events of the first film, and re-examines the "[[Mr. Miyagi|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]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Goldberg |first1=Lesley |date=August 4, 2017 |title='Karate Kid' TV Sequel, Starring Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, a Go at YouTube Red |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/karate-kid-tv-sequel-starring-ralph-macchio-and-william-zabka-a-go-at-youtube-red-exclusive/ar-AAppo5s |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322204440/https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/karate-kid-tv-sequel-starring-ralph-macchio-and-william-zabka-a-go-at-youtube-red-exclusive/ar-AAppo5s |archive-date=March 22, 2018 |access-date=March 22, 2018 |website=MSN |publisher=Microsoft }}</ref><ref name="reunion">{{cite web |last=Topel |first=Fred |date=April 27, 2019 |title='Cobra Kai' Season 2: About That 'Karate Kid' Reunion in Episode 6… |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/cobra-kai-reunion-episode/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512005543/https://www.slashfilm.com/cobra-kai-reunion-episode/ |archive-date=May 12, 2021 |access-date=October 21, 2019 |publisher=[[/Film]]}}</ref><ref name=mat>{{cite web |url=https://www.publicbooks.org/masculinity-on-the-mat/ |title=Masculinity on the Mat |access-date=October 19, 2019 |last=Haddad |first=Vincent |date=February 11, 2019 |publisher=[[Public Books]] |archive-date=September 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922142843/https://www.publicbooks.org/masculinity-on-the-mat/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2022, Macchio published the memoir ''Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me'' ([[E. P. Dutton|Dutton]]), in which he reflects upon the legacy of the ''Karate Kid'' films and ''Cobra Kai''.<ref name="HR1022">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/ralph-macchio-karate-kid-memoir-waxing-on-cobra-kai-1235238353/|title=Ralph Macchio on How He Survived Lean Years in His Career: "I Still Live Fairly Modestly"|newspaper=[[Hollywood Reporter]]|date=October 30, 2022|author=Gardner, Chris|access-date=October 30, 2022|archive-date=October 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030151049/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/ralph-macchio-karate-kid-memoir-waxing-on-cobra-kai-1235238353/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==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, a daughter named Julia (b. 1992) and a son named Daniel (b. 1996, named after Ralph's character Daniel LaRusso).<ref name="big50" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Ralph Macchio's 2 Kids: All About Julia and Daniel |url=https://people.com/all-about-ralph-macchio-kids-7502038#:~:text=Julia%20has%20followed%20Macchio's%20footsteps,all%20the%20time%22%20about%20parenting. |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=People.com |language=en}}</ref> Fierro is a nurse practitioner.<ref name="big50">{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/04/ralph-macchio-karate-kid-birthday_n_1074940.html|title=Ralph Macchio's 50th Birthday: From Karate Kid To Dancing Star|date=January 4, 2012|newspaper=[[Huffington Post]]|access-date=March 29, 2015|page=slide 6|no-pp=y|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402202846/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/04/ralph-macchio-karate-kid-birthday_n_1074940.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20100625-277523/Whatever-happened-to-Ralph-Macchio|title=Whatever happened to Ralph Macchio?|last=Valle|first=Jocelyn|date=June 25, 2010|newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20100628031949/http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20100625-277523/Whatever-happened-to-Ralph-Macchio|archive-date=June 28, 2010|access-date=December 5, 2010}}</ref><ref name=grown /> Julia appeared in seasons 4 and 5 of ''Cobra Kai'', portraying her father's character's cousin named [[List of The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai characters|Vanessa LaRusso]].<ref name=":1" />

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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://puckjunk.com/2016/11/04/ralph-macchio-karate-kid-celebrity-hockey-captain/ |title=Ralph Macchio: Celebrity Hockey Captain |date=November 4, 2016 |website=Puck Junk |first=Sal |last=Barry |access-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105061547/https://puckjunk.com/2016/11/04/ralph-macchio-karate-kid-celebrity-hockey-captain/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> A 2016 bobblehead promotion saw his likeness in the team's uniform donning the iconic 'crane kick' pose from ''The Karate Kid''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/karate-kid-gets-islanders-bobblehead/c-283081072 |title=Ralph Macchio gets kicking Islanders bobblehead |date=October 25, 2016 |website=NHL.com |access-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-date=June 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620025808/https://www.nhl.com/news/karate-kid-gets-islanders-bobblehead/c-283081072 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Macchio earned his [[Black belt (martial arts)|black belt]] in karate in April 2025,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.mensjournal.com/entertainment/ralph-macchio-breaks-major-news-about-his-karate-career |title=Ralph Macchio Breaks Major News About His Karate Career |date=April 8, 2025 |magazine=[[Men's Journal]] |first=Andrew |last=Holleran |access-date=April 9, 2025}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gilbert |first=Ben |date=September 18, 2023 |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/sep/18/everyone-was-doing-the-crane-kick-ralph-macchio-on-making-the-karate-kid |title='Everyone was doing the crane kick': Ralph Macchio on making The Karate Kid |access-date=April 14, 2025}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=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 |url=https://www.wkf.net/news-center/article/!/2846/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 |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=WKF |language=en}}</ref>

==Filmography==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|1980
|''[[Up the Academy]]''
|Chooch Bambalazi
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|1982
|''High Powder''
|Eddie
|rowspan="2"|Television film
|-
|''Dangerous Company''
|Denny Brody
|-
|1983
|data-sort-value="Outsiders The"|''[[The Outsiders (film)|The Outsiders]]''
|Johnny Cade
|
|-
|rowspan="3"|1984
|data-sort-value="Karate Kid Part I The"|''[[The Karate Kid]]''
|[[Daniel LaRusso]]
|
|-
|''[[Teachers (film)|Teachers]]''
|Eddie Pilikian
|
|-
|data-sort-value="Three Wishes of Billy Grier The"|''[[The Three Wishes of Billy Grier]]''
|Billy Grier
|Television film
|-
|rowspan="2"|1986
|''[[Crossroads (1986 film)|Crossroads]]''
|Eugene Martone
|
|-
|data-sort-value="Karate Kid Part II The"|''[[The Karate Kid Part II]]''
|[[Daniel LaRusso]]
|
|-
|1988
|''[[Distant Thunder (1988 film)|Distant Thunder]]''
|Jack Lambert
|
|-
|1989
|data-sort-value="Karate Kid Part III The"|''[[The Karate Kid Part III]]''
|[[Daniel LaRusso]]
|
|-
|1991
|''[[Too Much Sun]]''
|Frank Jr.
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|1992
|data-sort-value="Last P.O.W.: The Bobby Garwood Story The"|''[[The Last P.O.W.? The Bobby Garwood Story]]''
|[[Bobby Garwood|Robert Garwood]]
|Television film
|-
|''[[My Cousin Vinny]]''
|Bill Gambini
|
|-
|1993
|''[[Naked in New York]]''
|Chris
|
|-
|1996 
|''Journey Home: The Animals of Farthing Wood''
|Fox 
|Voice, direct-to-video
|-
|rowspan="2"|1998
|''Dizzyland''
|N/A
|Short film
|-
|data-sort-value="Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue The"|''[[The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue]]''
|Timmy Brisby
|Voice, direct-to-video
|-
|1999
|''[[Can't Be Heaven]]''
|Hubbie Darling
|
|-
|2000
|data-sort-value="Office Party The"|''The Office Party''
|Sean
|rowspan="2"|Short film
|-
|2001
|''Popcorn Shrimp''
|Cop #2
|-
|2003
|''[[A Good Night to Die]]''
|Donnie
|
|-
|2006
|''[[Artie Lange's Beer League|Beer League]]''
|Maz
|
|-
|2009
|''[[Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead]]''
|Bobby Bianchi
|
|-
|2010
|''Wax On, F*ck Off''<ref>{{cite news |url=https://ew.com/article/2010/06/11/ralph-macchio-wax-on-fck-off/ |title=Ralph Macchio Q&A: The story behind 'Wax On, F*ck Off' |newspaper=Entertainment Weekly |first=Mandi |last=Bierly |date=June 11, 2010 |access-date=April 23, 2018 |archive-date=April 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424071335/http://ew.com/article/2010/06/11/ralph-macchio-wax-on-fck-off/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|Himself, concept writer
|Short film
|-
|rowspan="2"|2012
|''[[Hitchcock (film)|Hitchcock]]''
|[[Joseph Stefano]]
|
|-
|''Holiday Spin''
|Ruben
|Television film
|-
|rowspan="2"|2013
|''[[He's Way More Famous Than You]]''
|Himself
|
|-
|''Across Grace Alley''
|Father
|Short film
|-
|2014
|data-sort-value="Little Game A"|''[[A Little Game (2014 film)|A Little Game]]''
|Tom
|
|-
|2015
|''[[Lost Cat Corona]]''
|Dominic
|
|-
|2017
|''[[Psych: The Movie]]''
|Nick Conforth
|Television film
|-
|2018
|data-sort-value="Dog and Pony Show A"|''A Dog and Pony Show''
|Aaron
|
|-
|2025
|''[[Karate Kid: Legends]]''
|[[Daniel LaRusso]]
|Also executive producer
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|1980–1981
|''[[Eight Is Enough]]''
|Jeremy Andretti
|Recurring role (19 episodes)
|-
|1982
|''[[CBS Schoolbreak Special|CBS Afternoon Playhouse]]''
|Tony Barnett
|Episode: "Journey to Survival"
|-
|1999
|'data-sort-value="Outer Limits The"|''[[The Outer Limits (1995 TV series)|The Outer Limits]]''
|Dr. Neal Eberhardt
|Episode: "[[The Other Side (The Outer Limits)|The Other Side]]"
|-
|rowspan="2"|2000
|''Chicken Soup for the Soul''
|Max
|Episode: "Letters to Suzie"
|-
|''[[Twice in a Lifetime (TV series)|Twice in a Lifetime]]''
|Officer Dan Payello/Phillip Barbosa
|Episode: "My Blue Heaven"
|-
|2005
|''[[Entourage (U.S. TV series)|Entourage]]''
|rowspan="2"|Himself
|Episode: "Aquamansion"
|-
|2007
|''[[Head Case]]''
|Episode: "Ralph Macchio and Liz Phair"
|-
|2008–2009
|''[[Ugly Betty]]''
|Archie Rodriguez
|Recurring role (11 episodes)
|-
|rowspan="2"|2010
|''[[Law & Order: Criminal Intent]]''
|Louis Marciano
|Episode: "[[Law & Order: Criminal Intent season 9#ep186|Inhumane Society]]"
|-
|''[[Psych]]''
|Nick Conforth
|Episode: "[[We'd Like to Thank the Academy]]"
|-
|rowspan="2"|2011
|data-sort-value="Whole Truth The"|''[[The Whole Truth (TV series)|The Whole Truth]]''
|Frankie Berlito
|Episode: "Lost in Translation"
|-
|''[[Dancing with the Stars (American season 12)|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)
|-
|rowspan="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|Comedy Central Roast of Rob Lowe]]''
|Himself/roaster
|Television special
|-
|2017–2019
|data-sort-value="Deuce The"|''[[The Deuce (TV series)|The Deuce]]''
|Officer Haddix
|Recurring role (17 episodes)
|-
|2017
|[[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (U.S. TV series)|''Whose Line Is It Anyway?'']]
|Himself
|Special Guest (Season 13, Episode 8)
|-
|rowspan="2"|2018
|''[[Kevin Can Wait]]''
|Alviti<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/ralph-macchio-kevin-can-wait-1.16650041 |title=Ralph Macchio to guest star on 'Kevin Can Wait' |newspaper=Newsday |access-date=April 17, 2018 |date=February 9, 2018 |first=Daniel |last=Bubbeo |quote=Macchio will guest star on two episodes ... Macchio will play 'Alviti,' the head of a company turning Long Island properties into parking lots |archive-date=April 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418032019/https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/ralph-macchio-kevin-can-wait-1.16650041 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|2 episodes: "The Smoking Bun" and "Phat Monkey"
|-
|''[[Conan (talk show)|Conan]]''
|Himself
|Episode: "Conan Without Borders: Japan"; pre-recorded video clip<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/conan-japan-jordan-schlansky-ralph-macchio-karate-kid-part-ii/ |title=Watch 'Conan' Producer Jordan Schlansky Get Totally Owned by Childhood Hero Ralph Macchio (Video) |website=The Wrap |first=Tony |last=Maglio |date=November 30, 2018 |access-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-date=December 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201121832/https://www.thewrap.com/conan-japan-jordan-schlansky-ralph-macchio-karate-kid-part-ii/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|2018–2025
|data-sort-value="Cobra Kai"|''[[Cobra Kai]]''
|[[Daniel LaRusso]]
|Main role, also directed "Sleeper"<br>Continuation of ''The Karate Kid'' film series
|}

==Theatre==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;"
|-
!scope="col" | Year
!scope="col"| Production
!scope="col"|Role
!scope="col"| Theater
|-
| 1986
| ''Cuba and his Teddy Bear''
| Teddy
| [[The Public Theater]]
|-
|1996–1997
|''[[How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (musical)|How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying]]''
|J. Pierrepont Finch
|US national tour<ref>{{cite news |last=Rousuck |first=J. Wynn |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1996/05/31/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/ |title=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' |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=May 31, 1996 |access-date=March 22, 2011 |archive-date=September 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922084255/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1996-05-31/features/1996152118_1_ralph-macchio-finch-rosemary |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Berson |first=Misha |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19961010/2353460/how-to-succeed-in-show-business |title='How To Succeed' In Show Business... – Since His 'Karate Kid' Days, Ralph Macchio Has Matured – In Age And Talent |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=October 10, 1996 |access-date=July 31, 2020 |archive-date=October 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002075755/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19961010&slug=2353460 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|}

==Music videos==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Music videos
! Year
! Title
! Artist
! Role
|-
|2007
|''[[No More Kings#Sweep the Leg|Sweep the Leg]]''
|[[No More Kings]]
|Himself / Daniel LaRusso
|-
|2010
|"Had Enough"
|rowspan="3"|[[Danko Jones]]
|rowspan="3"|Dr. Lee Dorian
|-
|2011
|"I Think Bad Thoughts"
|-
|2012
|data-sort-value=""Ballad of Danko Jones The""|"The Ballad of Danko Jones"
|-
|2024
|"The Karate Kid"
|[[Coldplay]]
|Busker
|}

==Video games==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year
! Title
! Role
|-
|2020
|''[[Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues]]''
|rowspan="2"|Daniel LaRusso
|-
|2022
|''Cobra Kai 2: Dojos Rising''
|}

==Book==
* {{Cite book|title=Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me|last=Macchio|first=Ralph|publisher=[[E. P. Dutton|Dutton]] |year=2022|isbn=978-0593185834|pages=}}<ref name="HR1022"/>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{Twitter}}
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4rLoe4ekFg Ralph Macchio & Yuji Okumoto Present Best Fighting Game at The Game Awards 2020] – [[The Game Awards]], December 2020.
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEU_MF66VtQ Ralph Macchio of "Cobra Kai" on Memoir "Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me"] – [[The View (talk show)|The View]], October 18, 2022.

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Macchio, Ralph}}
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male karateka]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American people of Greek descent]]
[[Category:American people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Gōjū-ryū practitioners]]
[[Category:Male actors from New York (state)]]
[[Category:People from Dix Hills, New York]]
[[Category:People from Huntington, New York]]
[[Category:People of Campanian descent]]