Ralph Macchio’s family

Ralph Macchio was born to Rosalie (née DeSantis) and Ralph Macchio Sr. He has a younger sibling, Steven Macchio, and has been married to Phyllis Fierro since 1987. Macchio and Fierro share two children, Julia and Daniel Macchio.

“The Karate Kid” actor began performing at a young age after he was discovered at the age of 16, performing at a dance recital. His journey toward fame began with television commercials, followed by the comedy “Up the Academy (1980)” and the television series “Eight Is Enough (1980-1981).” Later, he was cast in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Outsiders (1983) as Johnny Cade and in John G. Avildsen’s “The Karate Kid (1984)” as Daniel LaRusso. He returned as LaRusso in the action series “Cobra Kai (2018-2025)” and will also feature in “Karate Kid: Legends (2025).”

Ralph Macchio’s parents

Macchio was born on November 4, 1961, in Huntington, Long Island, New York. He is the elder of two sons born to Rosalie (neé DeSantis) and Ralph Macchio Sr., who owned and operated a ranch. Macchio grew up alongside his younger brother, Steven, with the siblings sharing a rich Italian and Greek heritage.

Ralph Macchio’s wife

Ralph Macchio has been married to childhood sweetheart Phyllis Fierro since April 5, 1987, just a few years after the success of “The Karate Kid (2024).” The two met at his cousin’s sixteenth birthday party, which was held at his grandmother’s basement. Macchio has described his initial impression of Fierro as “Love at first sight.” He reportedly proposed to her on Valentine’s Day, and the couple also renewed their vows on their 25th anniversary in 2012.

Fierro is a nurse practitioner by profession and has been on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing care and support to patients and their families in palliative settings. Macchio has spoken publicly about how proud he is of her, referring to her as “one of the heroes of the family.” Over the years, he has credited the success of the decades-long marriage to their mutual commitment to the relationship.

Ralph Macchio’s children

Macchio’s daughter Julia was born on May 20, 1992, and followed in her father’s artistic footsteps. She began training in music and dance at the age of five and landed her first film role in the comedy “Girl Most Likely (2012),” as Lucy. She also appeared in the later seasons of “Cobra Kai (2021-2025),” alongside Macchio, in the role of Vanessa LaRusso. Beyond television, Julia has also performed in musical theater productions like “Without You” and “Musicalized!: From Song to Stage.”

Macchio’s youngest, Daniel, was born on October 24, 1995, and, unlike his sibling Julia, he chose a different career path and pursued sports. According to his LinkedIn profile, he currently works as a Business Intelligence & Analytics Manager for the New York Islanders. He has also previously held positions with Live Nation Entertainment and the National Hockey League (NHL). Daniel quite often also posts heartfelt tributes to his parents on social media.