American actor (born 1961)
Ralph Macchio
|
---|
Macchio at GalaxyCon Raleigh in 2018
|
Born
| Ralph George Macchio Jr.
(
1961-11-04
)
November 4, 1961
(age 62)
[1]
|
---|
Occupation
| Actor
|
---|
Years active
| 1979?present
|
---|
Spouse
|
Phyllis Fierro
(
m.
1987)
|
---|
Children
| 2
|
---|
Ralph George Macchio Jr.
(
MAH
-chee-oh
,
Italian:
[?makkjo]
; born November 4, 1961) is an American actor. He is best known for playing
Daniel LaRusso
in three
Karate Kid
films, the 1984 film
The Karate Kid
and its sequels,
The Karate Kid Part II
(1986) and
The Karate Kid Part III
(1989), as well as in
Cobra Kai
, a sequel
television
series on
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
.
Early life
[
edit
]
Macchio was born in
Huntington, New York
.
[1]
He is the son of Rosalie (nee DeSantis) and Ralph George Macchio Sr., who owned a few
laundromats
and a wastewater disposal company. Ralph has a younger brother named Steven.
[2]
His father is of half Italian and half
Greek
[3]
descent, and his mother is of
Italian
ancestry.
[4]
In a 1980
screen test
, Macchio said his family was from
Naples
.
[5]
In 1979, Macchio graduated from
Half Hollow Hills High School West
in
Dix Hills, New York
.
[6]
Macchio began tap dancing lessons at the age of three and was discovered by a
talent agent
at the age of 16.
[1]
Career
[
edit
]
Early roles
[
edit
]
Macchio 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
[
edit
]
Macchio's work on
The Outsiders
helped him win the role of
Daniel LaRusso
in the blockbuster 1984 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]
[7]
In
The Karate Kid
, Macchio portrayed a "high school weakling turned bullybuster"
[8]
who learns karate from his friend and mentor, Mr. Miyagi (portrayed by
Pat Morita
).
[9]
Macchio's work in the
Karate Kid
series made him "stratospherically famous".
[7]
Later roles
[
edit
]
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
.
[1]
[10]
In 1992, he starred opposite
Joe Pesci
and
Marisa Tomei
in the hit comedy
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."
[11]
[12]
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.
[13]
As of November 2008, Macchio was ranked No. 80 among
VH1
's
100 Greatest Teen Stars
.
[14]
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.
[15]
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.
[16]
Macchio appeared in Canadian band
Danko Jones
' music videos for "Had Enough" and "I Think Bad Thoughts".
[17]
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
.
[18]
Post-
Karate Kid
and
Cobra Kai
[
edit
]
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.
[19]
[20]
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
.
[21]
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".
[22]
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's
Johnny Lawrence
, Daniel's nemesis in the film.
[23]
At 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 his character Daniel receives from Mr. Miyagi in the first film was sitting in his garage.
[24]
Beginning in 2018, Macchio reprised his role as Daniel LaRusso in
Cobra Kai
, an action
comedy-drama
series that began on YouTube Red and later moved to
Netflix
.
Cobra Kai
begins in the fall of 2017, 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.
[25]
Along with
William Zabka
, Macchio is also a co-executive producer of the series.
[1]
[26]
Memoir
[
edit
]
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
.
[27]
Personal life
[
edit
]
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.
[28]
Fierro is a nurse practitioner.
[28]
[29]
[24]
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.
[30]
A 2016 bobblehead promotion saw his likeness in the team's uniform donning the iconic 'crane kick' pose from
The Karate Kid
.
[31]
Filmography
[
edit
]
Film
[
edit
]
Television
[
edit
]
Theatre
[
edit
]
Music videos
[
edit
]
Music videos
Year
|
Title
|
Artist
|
Role
|
2007
|
Sweep the Leg
|
No More Kings
|
Himself
|
2010
|
"Had Enough"
|
Danko Jones
|
Dr. Lee Dorian
|
2011
|
"I Think Bad Thoughts"
|
Danko Jones
|
Dr. Lee Dorian
|
2012
|
"The Ballad of Danko Jones"
|
Danko Jones
|
Dr. Lee Dorian
|
Video game
[
edit
]
Book
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
"Ralph Macchio"
.
Biography (TV program)
. August 16, 2019.
Archived
from the original on April 29, 2020
. Retrieved
November 13,
2019
.
- ^
"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
.
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
.
- ^
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
.
- ^
Haddad, Vincent (February 11, 2019).
"Masculinity on the Mat"
.
Public Books
.
Archived
from the original on September 22, 2020
. Retrieved
October 19,
2019
.
- ^
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
.
- ^
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
.
- ^
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
.
- ^
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
.
External links
[
edit
]
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Television
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Music
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Video games
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