Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1961-11-04
- Born Place: Huntington, Long Island, New York, USA
Also Known As:
Ralph George Macchio
Ralph Macchio
Ralph Macchio, born on November 4, 1961, in Huntington, New York, USA, is an American actor who achieved enduring fame for his role as Daniel LaRusso in the iconic 1984 film The Karate Kid and its subsequent sequels, The Karate Kid Part II (1986) and The Karate Kid Part III (1989). His portrayal of the underdog who learns karate to defend himself against bullies resonated with audiences and made him a teen idol. Macchio's early career included roles in the film Up the Academy (1980) and a recurring part in the television series Eight Is Enough. Prior to The Karate Kid, he also appeared in Francis Ford Coppola's The Outsiders (1983).While he continued to work in film and television, including notable roles in My Cousin Vinny (1992) and the series Cobra Kai (2018-2025), which revisited his Karate Kid character decades later, Macchio remains indelibly linked to the role of Daniel LaRusso. He has embraced this legacy, serving as an executive producer on Cobra Kai and reprising his role in the upcoming film Karate Kid: Legends (2025). Macchio has also explored other avenues, including a run on Dancing with the Stars in 2011 and stage work. Married to his high school sweetheart, Phyllis Fierro, since 1987, they have two children. In 2024, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, next to his Karate Kid co-star Pat Morita.
