I wanted to write a very specific memoir about what it’s been like to walk in these shoes,” Macchio tells The Hollywood Reporter of his ambitions for the tome, from Penguin Random House imprint Dutton. “I wanted to make it a conversation, and I think we achieved that with some really good, never-before-told stories about this 40-year journey that is still writing itself.” This is not a memoir of Ralph’s life so much as it is a memoir of his life coexisting with Daniel LaRusso (how he came into the role and it’s effects thereafter). Or, as one could say, different but same. In this book, Ralph weaves together his experience on the original films and Cobra Kai interspersed with his life at that particular time. He includes anecdotes about his costars (including the cast of Cobra Kai), his hilarious thoughts on theories of “who is the real bully”, and encounters with fans (some even by name - how cool!) - to illustrate just how much these characters mean to people. Ralph also stresses how important the legacy of The Karate Kid is to him. He describes how Cobra Kai came to be, his initial reaction and protection of the Daniel-Miyagi relationship. I found myself starting to cry when he spoke of his friendship with Pat Morita and I think that speaks to the point of the magic they captured in their respective roles. On its release, Roger Ebert called the film one of the year's best, gave it four stars out of four, and described it as an exciting, sweet-tempered, heart-warming story with interesting friendships in the film. [37] Janet Maslin of The New York Times also gave a positive review. [38] The Karate Kid ranked #40 on Entertainment Weekly 's list of the 50 Best High School Movies. [39]

Macchio is almost too pure for this world. He's avoided the usual child star scandals. Especially considering that for a huge chunk of time from "My Cousin Vinnie" until "Cobra Kai" his career was essentially over. That would cause a lot of folks to spiral (cough Corey Feldman cough) but Macchio is a family man who seems pretty grounded. Van Gelder, Lawrence (14 March 1986). "Happy Ending for a Former Blues Singer". The New York Times. p.C8. Macchio writes, crisp, smooth narrative. He keeps a nice pace. He feeds the reader his perspective of behind-the-scene information based on the films and the show. He has a great sense of humor that is highlighted in his writing. Although he must have said "more on this later" or "more about this in the next chapter" so many times, I can't recall now if he covered all of his bases. I am certain his editors made sure he did. That I's got dotted, and T's crossed. Speaking of the right one, you also write about your short-lived foray into TV sitcoms with this series you did in 1994 with Andrew Dice Clay that never aired. Is there any chance that will ever be seen? Have you seen it? a b Chi, Paul (June 1, 2009). " 'The Karate Kid' All Grown Up". People. Archived from the original on May 19, 2018 . Retrieved May 4, 2018.When released in theaters I saw The Outsiders (2x), Karate Kid (2x), Karate Kid II (2x), Karate Kid III (1x), The Next Karate Kid (1x). I watched the first and second season of Cobra Kai on YouTube TV, and the last three seasons on Netflix. Finishing each season in a day or two after release. Helen Hunt and Demi Moore were also considered for the role of Ali, but Elisabeth Shue was cast based partly on a Burger King commercial that became widely popular in the early 1980s. The film marks the debut roles of both Zabka and Shue. [5] Late in production, Valerie Harper was considered for the role of Lucille, but the studio later instated Randee Heller for the role. [5] Filming [ edit ] The Karate Kid (1984) Action Figures have been Revived by Funko". Z.Love's Entertainment Blog. October 10, 2015. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015 . Retrieved October 10, 2015. Aside from the film series, an animated series based on the film, also called The Karate Kid, aired on NBC in the fall of 1989. [59] Consisting of thirteen episodes, [60] the series abandoned the karate tournament motif and followed Daniel and Miyagi, voiced by Joey Dedio and Robert Ito, respectively, in an adventure/quest setting. [61] a b Schweiger, Daniel (December 1996). "Partners in Crime". Film Score Monthly. Vol.1, no.76. p.17.

I put a counter-proposal to Macchio: that it is thrusting people, more forceful people, who benefit most from opportunities. In other words, maybe being nice has not always served his interests. “Huh. That’s interesting. Maybe I did undercut myself. I’m thinking this through now – this is a new thought in my mind. What happens is, it’s very hard not to become desperate when you want to find work that isn’t there. There was a section of time when that was happening to me. That’s often when actors go off the deep end or down a dark path. Because it’s such a seductive thing, success.” He kept out of trouble, he guesses, because he was always more interested in his Long Island life than his Hollywood one. He was nice. I finally did, and obviously, it has become one of my favorite 80's films. Too, too good and some truly beautiful moments. Welsh, James M.; Phillips, Gene D.; Hill, Rodney F. (2010). The Francis Ford Coppola Encyclopedia. Scarecrow Press. p.167. ISBN 9780810876514.In the United Kingdom, it was watched by 3.7 million viewers on television in 2017, making it the year's tenth most-watched film on UK multichannel television. [44] Merchandise [ edit ] The pair meet 17-year-old Frances, who is fleeing her abusive stepfather. She hitchhikes with them, and she and Eugene start a relationship. When she abandons them to continue her own journey, Eugene is left heartbroken but with a deeper feeling for the blues. Gardner, Chris (October 30, 2022). "Ralph Macchio on How He Survived Lean Years in His Career: "I Still Live Fairly Modestly" ". Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved October 30, 2022. A number of actors were considered for the part of Daniel, including Sean Penn, [12] Robert Downey Jr., Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, [13] Emilio Estevez, Nicolas Cage, Anthony Edwards, C. Thomas Howell, Tom Cruise, Eric Stoltz and D. B. Sweeney. [5] Ralph Macchio was ultimately cast on the strength of his performance as Johnny Cade in The Outsiders (1983). [5] Macchio has stated that his performance as Johnny influenced the development of Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid. [14] [15] Second chance: Netflix’s Cobra Kai season five premiere event with Courtney Henggeler and Mary Mouser. Photograph: Allen Berezovsky/FilmMagic

Haddad, Vincent (February 11, 2019). "Masculinity on the Mat". Public Books. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020 . Retrieved October 19, 2019. Ralph George Macchio Jr. ( / ˈ m ɑː tʃ i oʊ/ MAH-chee-oh Italian: ['makkjo]; born November 4, 1961) is an American actor. He is best known for playing Daniel LaRusso in three Karate Kid films and in Cobra Kai, a sequel television series. He also played Johnny Cade in The Outsiders, Jeremy Andretti in Eight Is Enough, Bill Gambini in My Cousin Vinny, Eugene Martone in Crossroads, and Archie Rodriguez in Ugly Betty, and had a recurring role as Officer Haddix in The Deuce. THE KARATE KID (PG)". British Board of Film Classification. July 2, 1984. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016 . Retrieved June 8, 2015. Best High School Movies". Entertainment Weekly. July 31, 2008. Archived from the original on June 22, 2019 . Retrieved January 9, 2021. Kenneally, Tim (March 28, 2011). "Ralph Macchio, Elijah Wood Think Bad Thoughts in Indie Music Clip". The Wrap. Archived from the original on April 4, 2011 . Retrieved March 28, 2011.I’ve been infatuated with him since Eight is Enough. While he’s only 8 years older than I am (a big difference when you’re only 10) he looked my age and he was from Long Island just like me !! Like he lived less than a half hour from me !!

Gonzalez, Sandra (April 29, 2013). " 'How I Met Your Mother' recap, 'Bro Mitzvah': The REAL Karate Kid". ew.com. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020 . Retrieved May 12, 2018. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 05: (L-R) Martin Kove, Dallas Dupree Young, Dan Ahdoot, Bret Ernst, ... [+] Yuji Okumoto, Jon Hurwitz, Ralph Macchio, Josh Heald, Hayden Schlossberg, Hayden Schlossberg, Gianni DeCenzo, William Zabka, Tanner Buchanan, Vanessa Rubio, Courtney Henggeler, Griffin Santopietro, Keith Arthur Bolden, and Kristian Harloff pose onstage during NETFLIX IS A JOKE PRESENTS, : Cobra Kai: Live and Badass at Microsoft Theater on May 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for Netflix) Getty Images for Netflix a b "Ralph Macchio's 50th Birthday: From Karate Kid To Dancing Star". Huffington Post. January 4, 2012. slide 6. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015 . Retrieved March 29, 2015.I would love to find the right project, and we’re working on a few things right now and in discussions on some things that I may or may not jump behind the camera for right now. The economics of the business usually dictate that, and if me directing something that I want to be in is going to help that project, great. If it’s not going to help that project and someone else’s name will, great. I always look at that and know that it’s about finding the right one. Hiatt, Brian (April 23, 2019). "Ralph Macchio on 'Cobra Kai' and the Legend of 'The Karate Kid' ". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 18, 2019 . Retrieved November 8, 2019. I’m glad you mentioned Miyagi because no conversation about the book would be complete without mentioning Pat Morita and his influence on your life. You refer to him as your “forever sensei,” and while you list of all of the projects that have sprung from the Karate Kid universe, you say that one you would love to see happen is the Miyagi origin story. Is anyone working on that? The Karate Kid". KinoPoisk (in Russian). Yandex. Archived from the original on April 21, 2015 . Retrieved December 31, 2020.