Ralph Macchio

Ralph George Macchio Jr. ( MAH-chee-oh; Italian: [ˈmakkjo]; born November 4, 1961) is an American actor. He is best known for portraying Daniel LaRusso in four Karate Kid films (1984–2025) and in Cobra Kai (2018–2025), a sequel television series. For his work in the latter, Macchio was nominated for two Critics' Choice Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award. He is also known for portraying Johnny Cade in Francis Ford Coppola's ensemble 1983 film, The Outsiders, and Bill Gambini in Joe Pesci's 1992 film My Cousin Vinny. Additional notable performances were in Eight Is Enough (1980–1981), Crossroads (1986), Ugly Betty (2008–2009), and The Deuce (2017–2019). He has also worked as a director and has produced two short films. Macchio received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2024.

Infobox

Born

Ralph George Macchio Jr. (1961-11-04) November 4, 1961 (age 64)Huntington, New York, U.S.

Education

Half Hollow Hills High School West in Dix Hills, New York

Occupation

Actor

Years active

1980–present

Notable work

The Outsiders The Karate KidMy Cousin Vinny

Spouse

mw- Phyllis Fierro (m. 1987)

Children

Tables

· Filmography › Film

1980

Up the Academy

Role(s)

Chooch Bambalazi

1982

High Powder

Role(s)

Eddie

Notes

Television film

Dangerous Company

Role(s)

Denny Brody

1983

The Outsiders

Role(s)

Johnny Cade

1984

The Karate Kid

Role(s)

Daniel LaRusso

Teachers

Role(s)

Eddie Pilikian

The Three Wishes of Billy Grier

Role(s)

Billy Grier

Notes

Television film

1986

Crossroads

Role(s)

Eugene Martone

The Karate Kid Part II

Role(s)

Daniel LaRusso

1988

Distant Thunder

Role(s)

Jack Lambert

1989

The Karate Kid Part III

Role(s)

Daniel LaRusso

1991

Too Much Sun

Role(s)

Frank Jr.

1992

The Last P.O.W.? The Bobby Garwood Story

Role(s)

Robert Garwood

Notes

Television film

My Cousin Vinny

Role(s)

Bill Gambini

1993

Naked in New York

Role(s)

Chris

1996

Journey Home: The Animals of Farthing Wood

Role(s)

Fox

Notes

Voice, direct-to-video

1998

Dizzyland

Role(s)

N/A

Notes

Short film

The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue

Role(s)

Timmy Brisby

Notes

Voice, direct-to-video

1999

Can't Be Heaven

Role(s)

Hubbie Darling

2000

The Office Party

Role(s)

Sean

Notes

Short film

2001

Popcorn Shrimp

Role(s)

Cop #2

2003

A Good Night to Die

Role(s)

Donnie

2006

Beer League

Role(s)

Maz

2009

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead

Role(s)

Bobby Bianchi

2010

Wax On, F*ck Off

Role(s)

Himself, concept writer

Notes

Short film

2012

Hitchcock

Role(s)

Joseph Stefano

Holiday Spin

Role(s)

Ruben

Notes

Television film

2013

He's Way More Famous Than You

Role(s)

Himself

Across Grace Alley

Role(s)

Father

Notes

Short film

2014

A Little Game

Role(s)

Tom

2015

Lost Cat Corona

Role(s)

Dominic

2017

Psych: The Movie

Role(s)

Nick Conforth

Notes

Television film

2018

A Dog and Pony Show

Role(s)

Aaron

2025

Karate Kid: Legends

Role(s)

Daniel LaRusso

Notes

Also executive producer

TBA

Role(s)

The Girl in the River

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1980	Up the Academy	Chooch Bambalazi
1982	High Powder	Eddie	Television film
1982	Dangerous Company	Denny Brody	Television film
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
1986	The Karate Kid Part II	Daniel LaRusso
1988	Distant Thunder	Jack Lambert
1989	The Karate Kid Part III	Daniel LaRusso
1991	Too Much Sun	Frank Jr.
1992	The Last P.O.W.? The Bobby Garwood Story	Robert Garwood	Television film
1992	My Cousin Vinny	Bill Gambini
1993	Naked in New York	Chris
1996	Journey Home: The Animals of Farthing Wood	Fox	Voice, direct-to-video
1998	Dizzyland	N/A	Short film
1998	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	Short film
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	Himself, concept writer	Short film
2012	Hitchcock	Joseph Stefano
2012	Holiday Spin	Ruben	Television film
2013	He's Way More Famous Than You	Himself
2013	Across Grace Alley	Father	Short film
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	Also executive producer
TBA	The Girl in the River		Filming

· Filmography › Television

1982

CBS Afternoon Playhouse

Role(s)

Tony Barnett

Notes

Episode: "Journey to Survival"

1999

The Outer Limits

Role(s)

Dr. Neal Eberhardt

Notes

Episode: "The Other Side"

2000

Chicken Soup for the Soul

Role(s)

Max

Notes

Episode: "Letters to Suzie"

Twice in a Lifetime

Role(s)

Officer Dan Payello/Phillip Barbosa

Notes

Episode: "My Blue Heaven"

2005

Entourage

Role(s)

Himself

Notes

Episode: "Aquamansion"

2007

Head Case

Role(s)

Episode: "Ralph Macchio and Liz Phair"

2008–2009

Role(s)

Ugly Betty

Notes

Archie Rodriguez

2010

Law & Order: Criminal Intent

Role(s)

Louis Marciano

Notes

Episode: "Inhumane Society"

Psych

Role(s)

Nick Conforth

Notes

Episode: "We'd Like to Thank the Academy"

2011

The Whole Truth

Role(s)

Frankie Berlito

Notes

Episode: "Lost in Translation"

Dancing with the Stars

Role(s)

Himself (contestant)

Notes

Placed in fourth (17 episodes)

2012

Happily Divorced

Role(s)

Frankie

Notes

Episodes: "Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place" (Parts 1 & 2)

2013

Robot Chicken

Role(s)

Daniel LaRusso, Colonel Steven Shay, Janitor

Notes

Voice, episode: "Caffeine-Induced Aneurysm"

How I Met Your Mother

Role(s)

Himself

Notes

Episode: "The Bro Mitzvah"

2014

Psych

Role(s)

Logan Phelps

Notes

Episode: "Remake A.K.A. Cloudy... With a Chance of Improvement"

2016

Comedy Central Roast of Rob Lowe

Role(s)

Himself/roaster

Notes

Television special

2017–2019

Role(s)

The Deuce

Notes

Officer Haddix

2017

Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Role(s)

Himself

Notes

Special Guest (Season 13, Episode 8)

2018

Kevin Can Wait

Role(s)

Alviti

Notes

Episodes: "The Smoking Bun" and "Phat Monkey"

Conan

Role(s)

Himself

Notes

Episode: "Conan Without Borders: Japan"; pre-recorded video clip

2018–2025

Role(s)

Cobra Kai

Notes

Daniel LaRusso

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"
2000	Twice in a Lifetime	Officer Dan Payello/Phillip Barbosa	Episode: "My Blue Heaven"
2005	Entourage	Himself	Episode: "Aquamansion"
2007	Head Case	Himself	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"
2010	Psych	Nick Conforth	Episode: "We'd Like to Thank the Academy"
2011	The Whole Truth	Frankie Berlito	Episode: "Lost in Translation"
2011	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"
2013	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	Episodes: "The Smoking Bun" and "Phat Monkey"
2018	Conan	Himself	Episode: "Conan Without Borders: Japan"; pre-recorded video clip
2018–2025	Cobra Kai	Daniel LaRusso	Continuation of The Karate Kid film series Main role Also directed Episode: "Sleeper"

· Theatre

1986

Year

1986

Production

Cuba and his Teddy Bear

Role

Teddy

Theater

The Public Theater

1996–1997

Year

1996–1997

Production

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Role

J. Pierrepont Finch

Theater

US national tour

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

Music videos · Music videos

2007

Sweep the Leg

Role(s)

No More Kings

Notes

Himself / Daniel LaRusso

2010

"Had Enough"

Role(s)

Danko Jones

Notes

Dr. Lee Dorian

2011

"I Think Bad Thoughts"

2012

"The Ballad of Danko Jones"

2024

"The Karate Kid"

Role(s)

Coldplay

Notes

Busker

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

2020

Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues

Role(s)

Daniel LaRusso

2022

Cobra Kai 2: Dojos Rising

Year	Title	Role
2020	Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues	Daniel LaRusso
2022	Cobra Kai 2: Dojos Rising	Daniel LaRusso

· Awards and nominations

1982

Young Artist Award

Role(s)

Best Young Actor in a Television Special

Notes

Eight Is Enough

1986

Bravo Otto

Role(s)

Best Actor

Notes

Himself

2001

Long Island International Film Expo

Role(s)

Long Island Independent Filmmaker Award

Notes

Himself

2002

Long Island International Film Expo

Role(s)

Best director

Notes

Love Thy Brother

Stony Brook Film Festival

Role(s)

Audience choice

Notes

Love Thy Brother

2014

Santa Barbara International Film Festival

Role(s)

Best Live Action Short Film

Notes

Across Grace Alley

American Short Film Awards

Role(s)

Best Drama short film

Notes

Across Grace Alley

2021

Primetime Emmy

Role(s)

Outstanding Comedy Series

Notes

Cobra Kai (shared)

2022

Critics Choice Super Awards

Role(s)

Best Actor in an Action Series

Notes

Cobra Kai

Kids' Choice Awards

Role(s)

Favorite male TV star

Notes

Cobra Kai

Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame

Role(s)

Special Recognition & Martial Arts

Notes

Himself

2023

Critics Choice Super Awards

Role(s)

Best Actor in an Action Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV

Notes

Cobra Kai

Kid's Choice Awards

Role(s)

Favorite male TV star

Notes

Cobra Kai

2024

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Role(s)

Star

Notes

Himself

2025

Newport Beach TV Fest

Role(s)

Artist of distinction

Notes

Himself

Year	Award	Category	Film/work	Result
1982	Young Artist Award	Best Young Actor in a Television Special	Eight Is Enough	Nominated
1986	Bravo Otto	Best Actor	Himself	Nominated
2001	Long Island International Film Expo	Long Island Independent Filmmaker Award	Himself	Won
2002	Long Island International Film Expo	Best director	Love Thy Brother	Won
2002	Stony Brook Film Festival	Audience choice	Love Thy Brother	Won
2014	Santa Barbara International Film Festival	Best Live Action Short Film	Across Grace Alley	Nominated
2014	American Short Film Awards	Best Drama short film	Across Grace Alley	Won
2021	Primetime Emmy	Outstanding Comedy Series	Cobra Kai (shared)	Nominated
2022	Critics Choice Super Awards	Best Actor in an Action Series	Cobra Kai	Nominated
2022	Kids' Choice Awards	Favorite male TV star	Cobra Kai	Nominated
2022	Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame	Special Recognition & Martial Arts	Himself	inducted
2023	Critics Choice Super Awards	Best Actor in an Action Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV	Cobra Kai	Nominated
2023	Kid's Choice Awards	Favorite male TV star	Cobra Kai	Nominated
2024	Hollywood Walk of Fame	Star	Himself	Won
2025	Newport Beach TV Fest	Artist of distinction	Himself	Won

References

Biography
https://www.biography.com/actor/ralph-macchio
People
https://people.com/ralph-macchio-receives-star-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame-8748411
NY State Senate
https://web.archive.org/web/20131109222807/http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/J3158-2009
"American Gypsies: Q&A With Executive Producer Ralph Macchio"
https://web.archive.org/web/20131003122419/http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/american-gypsies/articles/qa-with-executive-producer-ralph-macchio/
Q&A With Executive Producer Ralph Macchio Archived August 19, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. National Geographic Channel.
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/american-gypsies/q-a-with-ralph-macchio/
Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPzf1M4Cprg
The Francis Ford Coppola Encyclopedia
Collider
https://collider.com/did-ralph-macchio-really-learn-karate/#:~:text=Macchio%20admitted%20that%20he%20only,no%20experience%20with%20martial%20arts.
Bubble Yum TV ad with Ralph Macchio 1980
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zLmILtq0-4
Entertainment Weekly
https://ew.com/the-outsiders-cast-then-and-now-11702692
The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/aug/25/karate-kid-ralph-macchio-im-at-peace-with-the-choices-i-made-cobra-kai
Los Angeles Times
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-07-01-ca-2367-story.html
The Tennessean
https://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2019/11/22/mr-miyagi-and-quest-perfect-mentor/4261349002/
Heavy
https://heavy.com/entertainment/cobra-kai/karate-kid-cast-2007-music-video/
No More Kings "Sweep the Leg" (No More Kings Official YouTube Page) on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3iYmgDJ4FE
"Wax On, F*ck Off with Ralph Macchio" Archived October 30, 2022, at the Wayback Machine Funny or Die; 2010
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAtd2r49wFw
Fretts, Bruce. "Cheers & Jeers"; TV Guide; July 5, 2010; Page 92
Entertainment Weekly
https://www.ew.com/article/2013/04/29/how-i-met-your-mother-recap-william-zabka
People
http://people.com/archive/the-karate-kid-all-grown-up-vol-71-no-21/
"'Cobra Kai' Is The Ultimate Johnny Lawrence Redemption Story 'Karate Kid' Fans Never Knew They Always Needed"
https://decider.com/2025/02/14/cobra-kai-ultimate-johnny-lawrence-redemption-story/
Hollywood Reporter
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/ralph-macchio-karate-kid-memoir-waxing-on-cobra-kai-1235238353/
Zack Arnold
https://zackarnold.com/ralph-macchio-waxing-on-about-authentically-living-more-balanced-fulfilling-life/
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2024/04/kraven-the-hunter-karate-kid-1235897029/
The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/19/theater/theater-cuba-and-his-teddy-bear.html
Succeeds
https://archive.today/20120908121428/http://www.playbill.com/features/article/64275-How-Ralph-Macchio-Succeeds
The Baltimore Sun
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/
TV Guide
https://www.tvguide.com/news/ugly-bettys-ralph-1003946/
Broadway World
http://broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_Cantone_Macchio_et_al_in_A_ROOM_OF_MY_OWN_20100921
Vanity Fair
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2010/06/wax-on-fuck-off-no-more-mr-nice-ralph-macchio
Daily News
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
"Ralph Macchio, Elijah Wood Think Bad Thoughts in Indie Music Clip"
https://www.thewrap.com/tv/column-post/ralph-macchio-and-elijah-wood-think-bad-thoughts-indie-music-clip-video-25891
Deadline Hollywood
https://web.archive.org/web/20120419171033/http://www.deadline.com/2012/04/ralph-macchio-plays-psycho-scribe-joe-stefano-in-hitchcock/
Hollywood Walk of Fame
https://walkoffame.com/ralph-macchio/
www.boyactors.org.uk
https://www.boyactors.org.uk/movie.php?ref=1851
Hamptons International Film Festival
https://hamptonsfilmfest.org/features/qa-director-ralph-macchio-across-grace-alley/
People Magazine
https://people.com/ralph-macchio-receives-star-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame-8748411
Variety
https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/ralph-macchio-cobra-kai-ending-coldplay-music-video-1236214971/
Rolling Stone
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ralph-macchio-coldplay-karate-kid-performance-1235149990/
Huffington Post
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/04/ralph-macchio-karate-kid-birthday_n_1074940.html
Philippine Daily Inquirer
https://archive.today/20100628031949/http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20100625-277523/Whatever-happened-to-Ralph-Macchio
People
https://people.com/all-about-ralph-macchio-kids-7502038#:~:text=Julia%20has%20followed%20Macchio's%20footsteps,all%20the%20time%22%20about%20parenting.
Puck Junk
https://web.archive.org/web/20220105061547/https://puckjunk.com/2016/11/04/ralph-macchio-karate-kid-celebrity-hockey-captain/
NHL.com
https://www.nhl.com/news/karate-kid-gets-islanders-bobblehead/c-283081072
Ralph Macchio throws out first pitch to William Zabka
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzwYcykQYck
Men's Journal
https://www.mensjournal.com/entertainment/ralph-macchio-breaks-major-news-about-his-karate-career
The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/sep/18/everyone-was-doing-the-crane-kick-ralph-macchio-on-making-the-karate-kid
WKF
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
Ralph Macchio is now a Black belt in karate
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2Pa-A3LmoAo
Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame
https://www.suffolksportshof.com/macchio-ralph/
Miller Place-Rocky Point, NY Patch
https://patch.com/new-york/millerplace-rockypoint/lis-karate-kid-ralph-macchio-makes-suffolk-sports-hall-fame
Hollywood Walk of Fame
https://walkoffame.com/press_releases/actor-director-ralph-macchio-to-be-honored-with-star-on-the-hollywood-walk-of-fame/
Hamptons.com
https://hamptons.com/out-and-about-for-the-cause-22729-ralph-macchio-attending-hamptons-the-karate-kid-html/
www.stonybrook.edu
https://www.stonybrook.edu/newsroom/medical/2016-08-02-ralph-macchio-revved-up-awareness-of-important-health-screenings.php/amp/#:~:text=Ralph%2520Macchio%2520'Revved%2520Up'%2520Awareness,Screenings%2520%252D%2520Stony%2520Brook%2520University%2520Newsroom&text=Ralph%2520Macchio%2520and%2520Howard%2520Adler,Varicose%2520Veins%2520Screening%2520%E2%80%93%25209%2520participants
Half Hollow Hills, NY Patch
https://patch.com/new-york/halfhollowhills/ralph-macchio-wants-give-back-li-attends-breast-cancer-gala
Entertainment Weekly
https://ew.com/article/2010/06/11/ralph-macchio-wax-on-fck-off/
Deadline
https://deadline.com/2025/08/tiffany-haddish-ralph-macchio-more-to-star-the-girl-in-the-river-1236486329/
Newsday
https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/ralph-macchio-kevin-can-wait-1.16650041
The Wrap
https://www.thewrap.com/conan-japan-jordan-schlansky-ralph-macchio-karate-kid-part-ii/
The Baltimore Sun
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/
The Seattle Times
https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19961010/2353460/how-to-succeed-in-show-business