
Ralph Macchio rose to fame in the 1980s as “The Karate Kid’s” titular protagonist Daniel LaRusso, a role that turned him into a teen icon. He also appeared in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Outsiders (1983)” and the television series “Eight Is Enough (1980-1981).”
Over the years, Macchio remained active in theater, independent films, and made guest appearances on shows like “Entourage (2005)” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2010).” His return to the role of LaRusso in the martial arts drama “Cobra Kai (2018-2025)” added new depth to the character. Macchio has also explored producing, competed on “Dancing with the Stars,” and appeared in films such as “My Cousin Vinny (1992)” and “Hitchcock (2012).”
List of Ralph Macchio’s movies

Ralph Macchio made his film debut as Chooch in the comedy “Up the Academy (1980).” However, his breakout role was in “The Outsiders (1983),” where he played the sympathetic best friend, Johnny Cade. Macchio’s teen idol status following the success of “The Karate Kid (1984)” led to two other sequels in 1986 and 1989. He also reprises his role as LaRusso in the upcoming “Karate Kid: Legends (2025).”
One of the actor’s most memorable performances was in “My Cousin Vinny (1992),” where he played a college student named Bill Gambini, who was falsely accused of murder. He also worked in independent films such as “Naked in New York (1994)” and “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (2010).”
Here is a list of the movies that Ralph Macchio has appeared in, along with their years of release:
Year | Movie | Role |
1980 | Up the Academy | Chooch |
1983 | The Outsiders | Johnny Cade |
1984 | Teachers | Eddie Pilikian |
1984 | The Karate Kid | Daniel LaRusso |
1986 | The Karate Kid Part II | Daniel |
1986 | Crossroads | Eugene Martone |
1988 | Distant Thunder | Jack Lambert |
1989 | The Karate Kid Part III | Daniel |
1990 | Too Much Sun | Frank Della Rocca, Jr. |
1992 | My Cousin Vinny | Bill Gambini |
1993 | Naked in New York | Chris |
1996 | Journey Home: The Animals of Farthing Wood | Fox (voice) |
1998 | Dizzyland | N/A |
1998 | The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue | Tim (voice) |
1999 | Can’t Be Heaven | Hubbie |
2000 | The Office Party | Sean |
2001 | Popcorn Shrimp | Cop #2 |
2003 | A Good Night to Die | Donnie |
2006 | Beer League | Maz |
2009 | Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead | Bobby Bianchi |
2012 | Hitchcock | Joseph Stefano |
2012 | The Ballad of Danko Jones | Dr. Lee Dorian |
2013 | Across Grace Alley | Father |
2014 | A Little Game | Tom Kuftinec |
2017 | Lost Cat Corona | Dominic |
2018 | A Dog and Pony Show | Aaron |
2025 | Karate Kid: Legends | Daniel LaRusso |
List of Ralph Macchio’s TV shows

Macchio’s television career began with TV commercials before he landed a recurring role in the family drama series “Eight Is Enough,” where he portrayed the troubled teen Jeremy Andretti. In 1984, he played a terminally ill teenager racing against time to fulfill his dreams in “The Three Wishes of Billy Grier.” Macchio later made a guest appearance in “Entourage (2005),” where he played a fictionalized version of himself.
In the romantic drama “Ugly Betty (2008),” he played a local politician, Archie Rodriguez, in love with Ana Ortiz’s Hilda Suarez. His biggest television success came with “Cobra Kai (2018-2025),” where he reprised his role as Daniel LaRusso, who is now a middle-aged family man and car dealership owner, navigating his adult life.
Here is a list of the TV shows that Ralph Macchio has appeared in, along with their years of release:
Year | TV Show | Role |
1980-1981 | Eight Is Enough | Jeremy Andretti |
1982 | High Powder | Eddie |
1982 | CBS Afternoon Playhouse | Tony Barnett |
1982 | Dangerous Company | Denny Brody |
1984 | The Three Wishes of Billy Grier | Billy Grier |
1992 | The Last P.O.W.? The Bobby Garwood Story | Robert Garwood |
1994 | The Ties That Bind | Michael |
1999 | The Outer Limits | Dr. Neal Eberhardt |
2000 | Twice in a Lifetime | Officer Dan Payello, Phillip Barbosa |
2000 | Chicken Soup for the Soul | Max |
2005 | Entourage | Ralph Machhio |
2008-2009 | Ugly Betty | Archie Rodriguez |
2010 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Louis Marciano |
2010-2014 | Psych | Logan Phelps, Nick Conforth |
2011 | The Whole Truth | N/A |
2012 | Happily Divorced | Frankie |
2012 | Holiday Spin | Ruben |
2013 | How I Met Your Mother | Ralph Macchio |
2013 | He’s Way More Famous Than You | Ralph Macchio |
2013 | Robot Chicken | Daniel LaRusso, Colonel Steven Shay, Janitor (voice) |
2017 | Psych: The Movie | Nick Conforth |
2017-2019 | The Deuce | Officer Haddix |
2018 | Kevin Can Wait | Alviti |
2018-2025 | Cobra Kai | Daniel LaRusso |
FAQs about Ralph Machhio
A. Ralph Macchio was born on November 4, 1961. As of May 2025, he is 63 years old.
A. Ralph Macchio is 5 feet 9 inches, or 1.75 meters tall.
A. Yes, Ralph Macchio has been married to Phyllic Macchio since April 5, 1987.