Ralph George Macchio Jr. (born November 4, 1961) is an American actor best known for his role as Daniel LaRusso in “The Karate Kid” films (1984, 1986, 1989) and the Netflix series “Cobra Kai.”
He also played Johnny Cade in “The Outsiders” (1983), Jeremy Andretti in “Eight Is Enough,” William Gambini in “My Cousin Vinny” (1992), Eugene Martone in “Crossroads” (1986), and Archie Rodriguez in “Ugly Betty.” Additionally, he had a recurring role as Officer Haddix in the TV series “The Deuce.”
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Ralph Macchio net worth
Ralph Macchio, an American TV and film actor with a net worth of $8 million, owns an ocean-view home in Montauk, NY, with his wife, Phyllis. When not in use by them, the property can be rented for up to $40,000 per month. The home’s value is estimated to be between $4 million and $6 million.
Early life
Ralph Macchio was born in Huntington, New York, to Rosalie and Ralph George Macchio Sr., who owned laundromats and a wastewater disposal company. He has a younger brother named Steven. Macchio’s father is of half Italian and half Greek descent, and his mother is of Italian ancestry.
He graduated from Half Hollow Hills High School West in 1979. Macchio began tap dancing at age three and was discovered by a talent agent at 16. In a 1980 screen test, he mentioned his family was from Naples.
Career
Ralph Macchio was cast as Jeremy Andretti in the TV series Eight Is Enough and gained fame as Johnny Cade in The Outsiders (1983). His role as Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid films (1984, 1986, 1989) made him “stratospherically famous.” Macchio starred in Crossroads (1986), My Cousin Vinny (1992), and Ugly Betty (2008). In 2010, he appeared in Funny or Die’s “Wax On, F*ck Off.” He returned as Daniel LaRusso in the 2018 series Cobra Kai. In 2022, he published the memoir Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me, reflecting on the film’s legacy.
Personal life
Ralph Macchio met his future wife, Phyllis Fierro, through his grandmother when he was 15. They married on April 5, 1987, and have two children. Fierro is a nurse practitioner.
Macchio is a fan of the New York Islanders hockey team and was featured as the team’s celebrity captain in the 1991 Pro Set Platinum trading card series. In 2016, a bobblehead promotion featured his likeness in the team’s uniform, performing the iconic ‘crane kick‘ pose from The Karate Kid.
Who is the next karate kid in 2024?
Chan and Macchio announced a worldwide open casting call for an actor to play the new titular character, described as a Chinese teen who moves to the East Coast and begins studying martial arts. In February 2024, Ben Wang was cast as the titular character, Li Fong.
Conclusion:
Ralph Macchio’s journey from a young tap dancer to an iconic actor is truly inspiring. With a net worth of $8 million, the actor leads a comfortable life, but he values privacy concerning his assets. His contributions to cinema and his recent role as a producer showcase his versatility and dedication to the craft.
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FAQs about Ralph Macchio
- How did Ralph gain fame?
Ralph gained immense popularity as Daniel LaRusso in the Karate Kid series. - Is Ralph involved in the production of “Cobra Kai”?
Yes, Ralph is a co-executive producer of the series. - How much was Ralph paid for “Cobra Kai”?
He reportedly earned $100,000 per episode for the first two seasons. - Is Ralph good at karate?
Ralph does not have a black belt but performs his own stunts in the series and movies. - Who is Ralph’s wife?
Ralph is married to Phyllis Fierro, and they have been together since 1987.
