Ralph George Macchio Jr. is an American actor. He is best known for playing Daniel LaRusso in three Karate Kid films, the 1984 film The Karate Kid and its sequels, The Karate Kid Part II (1986) and The Karate Kid Part III (1989), as well as in Cobra Kai, a sequel television series on Netflix. He also played Johnny Cade in The Outsiders (1983), Jeremy Andretti in the television series Eight Is Enough, William Gambini in My Cousin Vinny (1992), Eugene Martone in Crossroads (1986), and Archie Rodriguez in the television series Ugly Betty. He also had a recurring role as Officer Haddix in the television series The Deuce.
Macchio at GalaxyCon Raleigh in 2018
Macchio in 2015
Daniel LaRusso is a fictional character and the protagonist of The Karate Kid media franchise portrayed by Ralph Macchio. He is introduced in The Karate Kid (1984) and returns in its sequels The Karate Kid Part II (1986) and The Karate Kid Part III (1989). 29 years later, Macchio began to reprise the role in the sequel television series Cobra Kai (2018–present), which is set to conclude with its sixth season. Additionally, Macchio will return in the upcoming sixth film, Karate Kid (2025).
Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid III