Ralph Macchio on How He Survived Lean Years in His Career: “I Still Live Fairly Modestly”

Logo textRalph Macchio ducked into New York’s Baronet and Coronet Theatre for a sneak preview of Karate Kid on May 19, 1984. Though he played the title character in the John G. Avildsen film, Macchio made it to his seat “fairly unnoticed except for a few random audience members” who recognized him from his work in Francis Ford Coppola’s recent film The Outsiders. By the time the movie ended and the last credit had rolled across the screen, anonymity essentially evaporated for Macchio, who, nearly forty years later, is still best known as Daniel LaRusso, a character close to his heart and one that has found new generations of fans thanks to the resurgence of Cobra Kai on Netflix. Related StoriesLifestyle'The 5 Love Languages' Relationship Book Returns to Bestsellers Chart Following New ReprintLifestyle'Normal People' Actor Éanna Hardwicke to Narrate the Next Sally Rooney Novel (Exclusive)“I knew I felt something magical that night at the Baronet in New York City. But I had no idea to wh...