Who is Ralph Macchio’s wife?

Ralph Macchio has been married to childhood sweetheart Phyllis Fierro since August 1987.

“The Karate Kid” star’s journey toward stardom began at the age of sixteen. He was discovered by talent agents during a dance recital, which led to him being cast in a “Bubble Yum” television commercial. Soon thereafter, he landed roles in “Up the Academy (1980)” and “Eight is Enough (1980-1981).” In 1983, he appeared in Francis Ford Coppola’s crime drama, “The Outsiders,” as Johnny Cade. The very next year, he landed the iconic role of Daniel LaRusso in John G. Avildsen’s “The Karate Kid.”

The film’s success set the stage for two sequels in 1986 and 1989, as well as a television series, more than three decades after the release of the original. “Cobra Kai (2018-2025)” features Daniel LaRusso as a middle-aged family man and owner of a successful car dealership. Macchio’s performance in the show earned him an Emmy nomination in 2021. LaRusso also makes a comeback in Jonathan Entwistle’s 2025 martial arts drama film, “Karate Kid: Legends.”

Who is Ralph Macchio’s wife?

Ralph Macchio’s wife, Phyllis Fierro, is a nurse practitioner by profession. She was on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York. In a 2021 interview on “The Drew Barrymore Show,” Macchio reflected on the work she has been doing, calling her “one of the heroes of the family.” He also shared that her work often involves supporting both the patients and their families, helping them navigate difficult medical decisions.

Macchio and Fierro have two children together: Julia, born in 1992, and Daniel, born in 1996.

Ralph Macchio and Phyllis Fierro’s relationship

Ralph Macchio met Phyllis Fierro when he was fifteen, at his grandmother’s basement during his cousin’s sweet sixteen birthday party. Fierro had come to the celebration along with one of Macchio’s friends. He described his first impression of her as “love at first sight,” further adding, “she has a great warmth about her.” In a 2021 interview with People, Macchio spoke about the strength of their relationship, saying:

Without her and without the foundation and the family we established, ‘one foot in, one foot out’ would have been very difficult on my own, because there wouldn’t be balance.

Macchio proposed to Fierro on Valentine’s Day, and the couple got married on April 5, 1987, just a few years after his breakout role in “The Karate Kid (1984).” They renewed their vows in 2012 while celebrating their 25th anniversary. In November 2024, Fierro and their children stood beside Macchio as he received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. During his acceptance speech, he said,

My beautiful wife, my best friend, Phyllis, I love you so much. Our partnership in life is everything. None of this is happening without you. Thank you for choosing me. Life is all the richer to walk in lockstep with you. I am not here without you.”