--- name: "Ralph Macchio" canonical: "https://film.one/person/ralph-macchio" fi1m_id: "ralph-macchio" imdb_id: "nm0001494" tmdb_id: 2877 wikidata_id: "Q73346" roles: ["Actor","Producer","Director"] born: "4 November 1961" reviewed_on_fi1m: 7 average_fi1m_score: 59 average_as: "actor" average_over: 6 updated: "2026-10-04T19:27:57.791485+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Ralph Macchio ## Identity Ralph Macchio - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/ralph-macchio - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** ralph-macchio - **IMDb ID:** nm0001494 - **TMDB ID:** 2877 - **Wikidata ID:** Q73346 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Macchio, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73346, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001494/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2877 Actor and producer. Born 4 November 1961 in Huntington, Long Island, New York, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor, Producer, Director - **Born:** 4 November 1961, Huntington, Long Island, New York, USA - **Active:** 1984–present - **Also known as:** Ralph George Macchio - **Titles on Fi1m:** 7: 6 acting, 1 directing - **Frequently works with:** [Jerry Weintraub](https://film.one/person/jerry-weintraub.md), [John G. Avildsen](https://film.one/person/john-g-avildsen.md), [Pat Morita](https://film.one/person/pat-morita.md), [Robert Mark Kamen](https://film.one/person/robert-mark-kamen.md), [William Zabka](https://film.one/person/william-zabka.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 59, as actor, over 6 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 72 (2), 2000s 63 (1), 2010s 62 (2), 2020s 48 (2) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 66 to 65 across 4 titles - **Score spread:** 1 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 2 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 2 of 5 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 5, Action 3, Adventure 2, Family 2, Comedy 1, Crime 1 - **Screen time:** 9 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $350m across 4 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Macchio, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73346, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001494/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2877 ## Streaming the US now - **Netflix:** [*The Karate Kid*](https://film.one/film/the-karate-kid.md) (81), [*Cobra Kai*](https://film.one/tv/cobra-kai.md) (70), [*Karate Kid: Legends*](https://film.one/film/karate-kid-legends.md) (64), [*The Karate Kid Part II*](https://film.one/film/the-karate-kid-part-ii.md) (62) - **Hulu:** [*Hitchcock*](https://film.one/film/hitchcock.md) (55) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Ralph Macchio > Ralph Macchio lets an underdog be impatient, awkward and occasionally difficult to like. His work with Pat Morita in *The Karate Kid* remains our reason to recommend him: the need for approval never wipes out the irritation. In *The Karate Kid* (1984), Ralph Macchio lets Daniel want help without becoming grateful company every minute he receives it. The boy is restless, easily embarrassed and liable to make his own difficulties worse. Macchio allows the need for approval to show, then gives Daniel enough prickliness to stop us simply feeling sorry for him. We were moved by Daniel's need for approval; Macchio makes it visible without smoothing away the boy's impatience. He had played Johnny Cade in Francis Ford Coppola's *The Outsiders* (1983) before Daniel became his breakthrough lead. His youthful appearance helped him play teenagers into his early twenties. Sequels in 1986 and 1989 fixed him still more firmly to Daniel. It is worth remembering how much awkwardness the original performance contains before filing him away as a perpetually agreeable youngster. Pat Morita is essential to seeing how well it works. His stillness gives Macchio's restlessness someone to play against, and James Crabe's cinematography lets us watch the pair together without spelling out the contrast. William J. Cassidy's production design keeps Daniel's troubles on an everyday scale, where embarrassment matters as much as the promise of action. We could lose some of the teenage distractions, but not the time spent letting this teacher and pupil get used to one another. *My Cousin Vinny* (1992) found another use for his comic timing, casting him as defendant Bill Gambini. Leading adult parts were harder to secure, and the 1990s and 2000s brought a leaner stretch of occasional film and theatre work. *Cobra Kai* (2018) revived his career by bringing him back as Daniel and allowing the character to age. The return gave him more to do with Daniel, though it did little to loosen the association. Start with the 1984 film, and watch how often Daniel makes friendship harder than it needs to be. ## Biography Ralph Macchio is an American actor. Born on 4 November 1961 in Huntington, Long Island, New York, he began his career in television commercials and gained early recognition for a recurring role on the series *Eight Is Enough* (1980–81). He appeared as Johnny Cade in Francis Ford Coppola’s *The Outsiders* (1983) before landing the lead role of Daniel LaRusso in *The Karate Kid* (1984). Macchio reprised the character in *The Karate Kid Part II* (1986) and *The Karate Kid Part III* (1989), and again in the series *Cobra Kai* (2018–25). Other notable film roles include Bill Gambini in *My Cousin Vinny* (1992). *Sources: britannica.com, en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (7) ### Performed in (6) — the average rests on these - *The Girl in the River* (2026), Fi1m 31, as Colin Ripley — [page](https://film.one/film/the-girl-in-the-river.md) - *Karate Kid: Legends* (2025), Fi1m 64, as Daniel LaRusso — [page](https://film.one/film/karate-kid-legends.md) - *Hitchcock* (2012), Fi1m 55, as Joseph Stefano — [page](https://film.one/film/hitchcock.md) - *Entourage* (2004), Fi1m 63, as Ralph Macchio — [page](https://film.one/tv/entourage.md) - *The Karate Kid Part II* (1986), Fi1m 62, as Daniel — [page](https://film.one/film/the-karate-kid-part-ii.md) - *The Karate Kid* (1984), Fi1m 81, as Daniel — [page](https://film.one/film/the-karate-kid.md) ### Directed (1) - *Cobra Kai* (2018), Fi1m 70, as Daniel LaRusso — [page](https://film.one/tv/cobra-kai.md) ## Complete filmography (47) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The Girl in the River* (2026), as Colin Ripley — Fi1m 31, [page](https://film.one/film/the-girl-in-the-river.md) - *Karate Kid: Legends* (2025), as Daniel LaRusso · Executive Producer — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/karate-kid-legends.md) - *Beyond the Bonsai* (2022), Actor - *Cobra Kai* (2018), series, as Daniel LaRusso · Co-Executive Producer, Director — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/cobra-kai.md) - *A Dog and Pony Show* (2018), as Aaron - *Psych: The Movie* (2017), as Nick Conforth - *The Deuce* (2017), series, as Officer Haddix — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-deuce.md) - *Lost Cat Corona* (2017), as Dominic - *I Hate Christian Laettner* (2015), as Daniel LaRusso (archive footage) - *The Real Miyagi* (2015), as Daniel LaRusso (archive footage) - *A Little Game* (2014), as Tom Kuftinec - *Across Grace Alley* (2013), as Father · Director, Writer - *He's Way More Famous Than You* (2013), as Ralph Macchio - *Hitchcock* (2012), as Joseph Stefano — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/hitchcock.md) - *Holiday Spin* (2012), as Ruben - *The Ballad Of Danko Jones* (2012), as Dr. Lee Dorian - *Wax On, Fuck Off* (2010), Writer - *Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead* (2009), as Bobby Bianchi - *Sweep the Leg* (2007), as Daniel Larusso/Hilmself - *Ugly Betty* (2006), series, as Archie Rodriguez - *Beer League* (2006), as Maz - *Psych* (2006), series, as Nick Conforth, Logan Phelps - *How I Met Your Mother* (2005), series, as Ralph Macchio — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/how-i-met-your-mother.md) - *Entourage* (2004), series, as Ralph Macchio — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/entourage.md) - *A Good Night to Die* (2003), as Donnie - *Love Thy Brother* (2002), Writer, Director - *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* (2001), series, as Louis Marciano - *Can't Be Heaven* (1999), as Hubbie - *Twice in a Lifetime* (1999), series, as Officer Dan Payello / Phillip Barbosa - *The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue* (1999), as 17 Year Old Tim (voice) - *The Outer Limits* (1995), series, as Dr. Neal Eberhardt - *Naked in New York* (1993), as Chris - *The Last P.O.W.? The Bobby Garwood Story* (1993), as Robert Garwood - *My Cousin Vinny* (1992), as Bill Gambini - *Too Much Sun* (1991), as Frank, Jr. - *The Karate Kid Part III* (1989), as Daniel - *Distant Thunder* (1988), as Jack Lambert - *The Karate Kid Part II* (1986), as Daniel — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/the-karate-kid-part-ii.md) - *Crossroads* (1986), as Eugene Martone - *The Three Wishes of Billy Grier* (1984), as Billy Grier - *Teachers* (1984), as Eddie Pilikian - *The Karate Kid* (1984), as Daniel — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/the-karate-kid.md) - *The Outsiders* (1983), as Johnny Cade - *High Powder* (1982), as Eddie - *Dangerous Company* (1982), as Denny Brody - *Up the Academy* (1980), as Chooch Bombalazzi - *Eight Is Enough* (1977), series, as Jeremy Andretti ## Gallery - ![Ralph Macchio](https://film.one/media/person/118101/gallery-7633f6e6e322.jpg) Ralph Macchio — John Manard, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/Ralph_Macchio_GalaxyCon_Raleigh_July%2C_24%2C_2026_992.jpg/1280px-Ralph_Macchio_GalaxyCon_Raleigh_July%2C_24%2C_2026_992.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Ralph Macchio 01 Motor City Comic Con 2015](https://film.one/media/person/118101/gallery-59afcdcd7da2.jpg) Ralph Macchio 01 Motor City Comic Con 2015 — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/MCCC_15_-_Ralph_Macchio_01_%2817904827210%29.jpg/1280px-MCCC_15_-_Ralph_Macchio_01_%2817904827210%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Ralph Macchio 02 Motor City Comic Con 2015](https://film.one/media/person/118101/gallery-c55da9787d9a.jpg) Ralph Macchio 02 Motor City Comic Con 2015 — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/MCCC_15_-_Ralph_Macchio_02_%2817904831980%29.jpg/1280px-MCCC_15_-_Ralph_Macchio_02_%2817904831980%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Martin Kove, Ralph Macchio and William Zabka speaking at the 2016 Phoenix Comicon at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Please attribute to Gage](https://film.one/media/person/118101/gallery-7b0ede5ad909.jpg) Martin Kove, Ralph Macchio and William Zabka speaking at the 2016 Phoenix Comicon at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Please attribute to Gage — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/Martin_Kove%2C_Ralph_Macchio_%26_William_Zabka_%2826902673634%29.jpg/1280px-Martin_Kove%2C_Ralph_Macchio_%26_William_Zabka_%2826902673634%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Ralph Macchio](https://film.one/media/person/118101/gallery-087f8653b3fc.jpg) Ralph Macchio — Image via TMDB - ![Ralph Macchio](https://film.one/media/person/118101/gallery-c720645f071e.jpg) Ralph Macchio — Image via TMDB - ![Ralph Macchio](https://film.one/media/person/118101/gallery-c46bb28c6162.jpg) Ralph Macchio — Image via TMDB - ![Martin Kove, Ralph Macchio and William Zabka speaking at the 2016 Phoenix Comicon at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Please attribute to Gage](https://film.one/media/person/118101/gallery-514af5463e99.jpg) Martin Kove, Ralph Macchio and William Zabka speaking at the 2016 Phoenix Comicon at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Please attribute to Gage — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/Martin_Kove%2C_Ralph_Macchio_%26_William_Zabka_%2827235330070%29.jpg/1280px-Martin_Kove%2C_Ralph_Macchio_%26_William_Zabka_%2827235330070%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Martin Kove, Ralph Macchio and William Zabka speaking at the 2016 Phoenix Comicon at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Please attribute to Gage](https://film.one/media/person/118101/gallery-7babb8a19f61.jpg) Martin Kove, Ralph Macchio and William Zabka speaking at the 2016 Phoenix Comicon at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Please attribute to Gage — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/Martin_Kove%2C_Ralph_Macchio_%26_William_Zabka_%2827412994762%29.jpg/1280px-Martin_Kove%2C_Ralph_Macchio_%26_William_Zabka_%2827412994762%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Ralph Macchio](https://film.one/media/person/118101/gallery-50525af4aea0.jpg) Ralph Macchio — Image via TMDB - ![Ralph Macchio](https://film.one/media/person/118101/gallery-4450700e7bdf.jpg) Ralph Macchio — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Other awards — 0 won, 1 nominated - Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor 1990: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor (nominated), for *The Karate Kid Part III* *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/ralph-macchio