Ralph Macchio - wikipedia Ralph Macchio This article is about the actor. For the comic - book editor, see Ralph Macchio ( comics ). Ralph Macchio Macchio in 2016 Ralph George Macchio, Jr. ( 1961 - 11 - 04 ) November 4, 1961 ( age 55 ) Huntington, New York, U.S. Occupation Actor Years active 1980 -- present Spouse ( s ) Phyllis Fierro ( m. 1987 ) Children Julia Macchio, Daniel Macchio Ralph George Macchio, Jr. ( / ˈmɑːtʃi. oʊ / ; Italian : ( ˈmakkjo ) ; born November 4, 1961 ) is an American actor, best known for his roles as Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid, Eugene Martone in Crossroads, Bill Gambini in My Cousin Vinny, and Johnny Cade in The Outsiders. Additionally, he competed on the twelfth season of Dancing with the Stars. Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Personal life 4 In popular culture 5 Filmography 6 References 7 External links Early life Macchio was born in Huntington, New York. He is the son of Rosalie ( née DeSantis ) and Ralph Macchio, Sr., who owned a ranch. His father is of half Greek and half Italian descent, and his mother is of Italian ancestry. In a 1980 screen test, Macchio stated his family is from Naples. Career Macchio at the Chiller Theatre Expo in New Jersey, October 2013 Macchio first appeared on American television commercials for products such as Bubble Yum and Dr Pepper. His on - screen debut was in the 1980 film Up the Academy, and his first major role was playing Jeremy Andretti in the television series Eight Is Enough. In 1983, he appeared as Johnny Cade in The Outsiders alongside many young actors who had yet to become major stars, such as C. Thomas Howell, Tom Cruise, Emilio Estevez, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, and Matt Dillon. In 1984, Macchio became known internationally following the release of the first Karate Kid film. Playing high school senior Daniel LaRusso, Macchio was actually in his early twenties when the film was made. He continued this success with the film 's sequels, The Karate Kid Part II and The Karate Kid Part III. In the mid-1980s, Macchio 's face began appearing on the covers of many teen `` bubblegum '' magazines such as Tiger Beat, 16, and Teen Beat. Macchio appeared in the 1986 film Crossroads, portraying music student Eugene Martone. In 1992, he starred opposite Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei in the hit comedy My Cousin Vinny, playing William Gambini, who was wrongfully accused of murder while passing through a small Alabama town. In 1993, Macchio portrayed Chris, the sexually confused best friend of Eric Stoltz 's character, in the indie film Naked in New York, along with such notable actors as Mary - Louise Parker, Jill Clayburgh, Kathleen Turner, and Tony Curtis. 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. '' Since the mid-1990s, Macchio 's film appearances have been occasional cameo or supporting roles, notably and recently A Good Night to Die and Beer League. Macchio in 2015 In 2005 Macchio played himself in the HBO series, Entourage. On May 1, 2007, Macchio played himself in an episode of the Starz series, Head Case. In 2008, he appeared in a VitaminWater commercial that featured NASCAR driver Carl Edwards. Macchio was depicted as Edwards ' `` spiritual advisor '' and dressed in his Karate Kid clothes. Since October 2008, he has appeared in several episodes of the ABC Network television series Ugly Betty as Archie Rodriguez, a local politician, with a semi-regular role as Hilda 's love interest on the show. As of November 2008, Macchio was ranked No. 80 among VH1 's 100 Greatest Teen Stars. 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, all in order to help his career. During the video Macchio reacts to seeing a poster for the 2010 Karate Kid remake. 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 ''. 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. In February 2011 it was announced he would compete on ABC 's Dancing with the Stars. He was eliminated during the semi-finals, placing fourth in the overall competition. Macchio appeared in Canadian band Danko Jones ' music videos for `` Had Enough '' and `` I Think Bad Thoughts '', also featuring Elijah Wood and Jena Malone. In April 2012, Macchio was cast in the film Hitchcock, based on the non-fiction book Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho, co-starring Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Jessica Biel and Toni Collette, and directed by Sacha Gervasi. Macchio portrays Psycho screenwriter Joseph Stefano. In April 2013, Macchio appeared in the popular sitcom How I Met Your Mother in the episode entitled `` The Bro - Mitzvah ''. From February to March 2016, Macchio co-stars with Mario Cantone in the Off - Broadway production A Room of My Own, after having read the play in 2010 and 2014. On August 4, 2017, it was announced that Macchio will reprise his role as Daniel Larusso in a 30 - minute, 10 - part Karate Kid revival series for YouTube Red titled Cobra Kai that is set to debut in 2018. He will also co-executive produce the series with William Zabka. The series is set 30 years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament and revolves around a down - and - out Johnny Lawrence who, seeking redemption, reopens the infamous Cobra Kai dojo. It reignites his rivalry with a now - successful Daniel Larusso, who has been struggling to maintain balance in his life without the guidance of his mentor, Mr. Miyagi. Personal life Macchio was introduced to his wife, Phyllis Fierro, by his grandmother when he was fifteen. They were married in 1987 and have two children, Julia ( born 1992 ) and Daniel ( born 1996 ). Fierro is a nurse practitioner. In popular culture DJ Q - Ball of the Bloodhound Gang released a song on his MySpace called `` The Ralph Macchio Memoirs ''. Poetry slam artist Big Poppa E references Ralph Macchio in his performance poem The Wussy Boy Manifesto. Nerdcore artist MC Frontalot mentions him in his song, `` Braggadocio ''. Macchio was featured in a brief cameo at the end of the No More Kings video for `` Sweep the Leg ''. Macchio 's character in the Karate Kid film inspired the `` Daniel '' song by English singer Bat for Lashes ; the front cover of the single shows Bat for Lashes with Daniel LaRusso 's face painted on her back. The song `` Ralph Macchio '' by Norwegian singer Annie is about her crush on Macchio in her youth over a 1980s - themed pop track. In the TV series How I Met Your Mother, Barney Stinson asserts that Macchio 's character, Daniel LaRusso, in The Karate Kid is n't the real karate kid ; instead, it 's Johnny Lawrence, Daniel 's nemesis in the film. In the 8th - season episode The Bro Mitzvah, Macchio is invited to Barney 's bachelor party, although Barney is disappointed in the surprise, expecting actor William Zabka, the `` real Karate Kid ''. For the duration of the episode, the characters note the similarities between Barney and Macchio, by which Barney is disgusted. At the end of the night, the clown hired for the party 's entertainment reveals himself to be Zabka. In the Parks and Recreation episode `` The Master Plan '', Andy Dwyer, unable to remember the proper name of Jean - Ralphio Saperstein, declares `` That Ralph Macchio guy 's a total douche '' after Jean - Ralphio flirts with April Ludgate. Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1980 Up the Academy Chooch Bambalazi 1982 High Powder Eddie Television film 1982 Dangerous Company Denny Brody Television film Outsiders, The The Outsiders Johnny Cade 1984 Karate Kid, The The Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso 1984 Teachers Eddie Pilikian 1984 Three Wishes of Billy Grier, The The Three Wishes of Billy Grier Billy Grier Television film 1986 Crossroads Eugene Martone 1986 Karate Kid Part II, The The Karate Kid Part II Daniel LaRusso Distant Thunder Jack Lambert Karate Kid Part III, The The Karate Kid Part III Daniel LaRusso Too Much Sun Frank Jr. 1992 Last P.O.W. : The Bobby Garwood Story, The The Last P.O.W. : The Bobby Garwood Story Robert Garwood Television film 1992 My Cousin Vinny Bill Gambini Naked in New York Chris 1998 Dizzyland N / A Short film 1998 Secret of NIMH 2 : Timmy to the Rescue, The The Secret of NIMH 2 : Timmy to the Rescue Timmy Brisby ( voice ) Direct - to - video film 2000 Office Party, The The Office Party Sean Short film 2000 Ca n't Be Heaven Hubbie Darling Popcorn Shrimp Cop # 2 Short film 2003 Good Night to Die, AA Good Night to Die Donnie 2006 Beer League Maz 2009 Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead Bobby Bianchi 2012 Hitchcock Joseph Stefano 2012 Holiday Spin Ruben Television film 2013 He 's Way More Famous Than You Himself 2014 Little Game, AA Little Game Tom 2015 Lost Cat Corona Dominic TBA A Dog and Pony Show Aaron Post-production Television 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 Outer Limits, The 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 ) 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 '' 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, Gibby, 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 The Deuce Officer Haddix Recurring role ( 5 episodes ) 2018 Cobra Kai Daniel LaRusso Continuation of The Karate Kid series Music videos Year Title Artist Role 2007 `` Sweep the Leg '' No More Kings Himself `` 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 References Jump up ^ `` Ralph Macchio Biography ''. Yahoo ! Movies. Retrieved 2008 - 09 - 21. Jump up ^ J3158 - 2009 -- NY Senate Open Legislation -- Congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Macchio upon the occasion of their 50th Anniversary. New York State Senate. Jump up ^ `` Ralph Macchio Sr., father of the actor best known for his recurring role as Daniel LaRusso in three Karate Kid movies... Macchio operated a Western entertainment park -- the Wild West Ranch and Western Town in Lake George, NY - until closing it this year after a land ownership ''. Nl.newsbank.com ( October 5, 2007 ). Jump up ^ `` 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 ). Jump up ^ Q&A With Executive Producer Ralph Macchio. National Geographic Channel. Jump up ^ `` Ralph Macchio and Phil Hartman screen test ''. Youtube. Retrieved October 10, 2014. Jump up ^ `` How Ralph Macchio Succeeds ''. Playbill. April 24, 1996. Retrieved March 23, 2011. Jump up ^ 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. Retrieved March 23, 2011. Jump up ^ `` 100 Greatest Teen Stars # 's 80 - 61 ''. vh1devas2000live.com. MTV Networks. Retrieved November 15, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Wax On, F * ck Off with Ralph Macchio '' Funny or Die ; 2010 Jump up ^ Fretts, Bruce. `` Cheers & Jeers '' ; TV Guide ; July 5, 2010 ; Page 92 ^ Jump up to : Lenzi, Linda ( September 21, 2010 ). `` Photo Coverage : Cantone, Macchio et al. in A ROOM OF MY OWN ''. BroadwayWorld.com. Jump up ^ 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. Retrieved May 18, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Ralph Macchio, Elijah Wood Think Bad Thoughts in Indie Music Clip ''. The Wrap. March 28, 2011. Retrieved March 28, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Ralph Macchio Plays ' Psycho ' Scribe Joe Stefano In ' Hitchcock ' ''. Deadline.com. April 17, 2012. Retrieved April 19, 2012. Jump up ^ Piepenburg, Erik ( February 12, 2016 ). `` It 's O.K. With Ralph Macchio if You Call Him the Karate Kid ''. Theater. The New York Times. Retrieved February 20, 2016. Jump up ^ Gans, Andrew ( March 7, 2014 ). `` Ralph Macchio and Mario Cantone Will Take Part in Reading of New Comedy A Room of My Own ''. Playbill. Retrieved February 20, 2016. Jump up ^ http://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?OCID=ansmsnnews11 ^ Jump up to : `` Ralph Macchio 's 50th Birthday : From Karate Kid To Dancing Star ''. Huffington Post. January 4, 2012. slide 6. Retrieved March 29, 2015. Jump up ^ Jocelyn Valle ( June 25, 2010 ). `` Whatever happened to Ralph Macchio ? ''. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 5, 2010. Jump up ^ Paul Chi. `` The Karate Kid All Grown Up ''. People. Retrieved December 5, 2010. Jump up ^ Mc Frontalot -- Braggadocio Lyrics. Lyricstime.com. Jump up ^ Campbell, Christopher ( June 11, 2010 ). `` William Zabka - Directed Music Video, ' Sweep the Leg, Johnny ' ''. moviefone. Retrieved October 27, 2015. Jump up ^ `` The Great Girl Grossout ''. 89.3 The Current Presents ( Minnesota Public Radio ). January 31, 2010. Archived from the original on March 26, 2010. Retrieved October 24, 2015. CS1 maint : Unfit url ( link ) Jump up ^ Natural wonder, Cbc.ca, May 11, 2009. Jump up ^ `` Annie announces ' A&R ' EP will be released in August ''. NME. July 2, 2013. Retrieved July 31, 2013. Jump up ^ Gonzalez, Sandra ( April 29, 2013 ). `` ' How I Met Your Mother ' recap : The Barney ''. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 27, 2015. Jump up ^ Kandell, Steve ( May 14, 2010 ). `` Parks and Recreation Recap : Are We Having Fun Yet ? ''. New York. Archived from the original on June 13, 2011. Retrieved October 27, 2015. External links Ralph Macchio on IMDb Ralph Macchio on Twitter VIAF : 90611565 LCCN : n85281518 ISNI : 0000 0000 8163 4531 GND : 142501530 SUDOC : 109086392 BNF : cb139370353 ( data ) BNE : XX891672 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ralph_Macchio&oldid=801376579 '' Categories : 1961 births 20th - century American male actors 21st - century American male actors American male film actors American male television actors American people of Greek descent American people of Italian descent Living people Male actors from New York ( state ) People from Huntington, New York People of Campanian descent Male actors of Italian descent Male actors of Greek descent Hidden categories : CS1 maint : Unfit url Use mdy dates from January 2016 Articles with hCards Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers Wikipedia articles with LCCN identifiers Wikipedia articles with ISNI identifiers Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers Wikipedia articles with BNF identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Asturianu Deutsch Español Euskara فارسی Français Galego 한국어 Ido Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Polski Português Русский Simple English Suomi Svenska Türkçe 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 19 September 2017, at 09 : 07. 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Question: who played the karate kid in the first movie
Answer: Ralph George Macchio, Jr.