Ralph Macchio
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ralph Macchio | |
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| Born | Ralph George Macchio November 4, 1961 Huntington (CDP), New York U.S. |
| Spouse(s) | Phyllis Fierro (1987-present) |
Ralph George Macchio (born November 4, 1961)[1] is an American actor with Italian ancestry.[2] He is best remembered for his role as Daniel LaRusso in the Karate Kid series. Macchio and his family currently reside in Miller Place, New York.[citation needed]
Born in Huntington, Long Island, New York, Macchio attended Half Hollow Hills High School West.
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[edit] Career
[edit] Early roles
He first became a star when he starred in television commercials for products like Bubble Yum and Dr Pepper. His first big role was playing Jeremy in the television series Eight Is Enough. In 1983, he starred alongside many young actors who had yet to become major stars such as C. Thomas Howell, Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze and Matt Dillon in The Outsiders.
[edit] The Karate Kid series
It was not until 1984, however, that he became an international teen idol, after the release of the first Karate Kid movie in which he stars alongside Pat Morita and Elisabeth Shue. He continued this success with the film's sequels, Karate Kid Part II (1986) and III (1989). With his boyish looks, Macchio became one of the most famous teen idols of the mid-1980s, his face appearing on the cover of many teen "bubble gum" magazines such as Tiger Beat, 16, and Teen Beat.
[edit] Later career
In 1992, he starred opposite Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei in the hit comedy My Cousin Vinny, playing the part of a big city boy wrongly accused of murder while passing through a small southern town. Also of note is his appearance in the 1986 film Crossroads. He plays music student Eugene Martone, who battles Jack Butler (played by guitarist Steve Vai), a protégé of the Devil.
Since the mid 1990s, Macchio's film appearances have been occasional cameo or supporting roles, notably and recently A Good Night to Die (2003) and Beer League (2006).
In 2005, Macchio played himself in HBO's Entourage.
On May 1, 2007, Macchio played himself in an episode of the Starz series Head Case with Alexandra Wentworth and Liz Phair.
In 2008, he appeared dressed as the Karate Kid in a Vitamin Water commercial that featured NASCAR driver Carl Edwards.
[edit] Personal life
On April 5, 1987, Macchio married Phyllis Fierro, with whom he has a daughter (Julia, born 1992) and a son (Daniel, born 1996). He has one brother, Steven. His parents, Ralph and Rosalie Macchio, own the Wild West Ranch and Western Town in Lake George, New York.[3]
[edit] Filmography
| Year | Movie | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Undead[4] | ||
| 2007 | Head Case | Himself | Starz series, episode five |
| 2006 | Beer League | Maz | |
| 2005 | Entourage | Himself | Episode series |
| 2003 | A Good Night to Die | Donnie | |
| 2001 | Popcorn Shrimp | Cop | |
| 2000 | The Office Party | Sean | |
| 2000 | Can't Be Heaven | Hubbie Darling | |
| 1998 | Dizzyland | ||
| 1998 | The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue video, | Tim | Voice |
| 1993 | Naked in New York | Chris | |
| 1992 | My Cousin Vinny | Billy Gambini | |
| 1991 | The Last P.O.W.? The Bobby Garwood Story television movie, Robert Garwood)Too Much Sun | Frank Jr. | |
| 1989 | The Karate Kid, Part III | Daniel LaRusso | Razzie nomination |
| 1988 | Distant Thunder | Jack Lambert | |
| 1986 | The Karate Kid, Part II | Daniel LaRusso | Sequel to part I |
| 1986 | Crossroads | Eugene Martone | |
| 1984 | The Three Wishes of Billy Grier | Billy Grier | Television movie |
| 1984 | Teachers | Eddie Pilikian | |
| 1984 | The Karate Kid | Daniel LaRusso | |
| 1983 | The Outsiders | Johnny Cade | |
| 1982 | High Powder | Eddie | Television movie |
| 1982 | Dangerous Company | Denny Brody | Television movie |
| 1980 | Eight is Enough | Jeremy Andretti | TV series |
| 1980 | Up the Academy | Chooch Bambalazi |
[edit] Pop 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 The Wussy Boy Manifesto. Nerdcore artist MC Frontalot mentions him in his song "Braggadocio."
Macchio is featured in a brief cameo at the end of the No More Kings video for Sweep the Leg.
Jimmie Urine of the band Mindless Self Indulgence refers to himself as Ralph Macchio in their DVD Our Pain, Your Gain during the song "Stupid MF."
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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