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Ralph Macchio, renowned for his roles in “The Karate Kid” and the hit series “Cobra Kai,” celebrated his 64th birthday in 2025, but his youthful appearance belies his age. Throughout his career, Macchio has often portrayed characters significantly younger than himself. A prime example is his role as Johnny Cade, a gentle-hearted 16-year-old greaser, in the 1983 classic “The Outsiders,” when Macchio was actually 21. This film, inspired by S.E. Hinton’s novel, delves into the lives of two rival gangs in 1960s Oklahoma, whose conflicts lead to dire consequences.
Warner Bros.
Under the direction of Francis Ford Coppola, “The Outsiders” served as a springboard for Macchio’s career, alongside future stars like Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze, and Tom Cruise. While not every actor from the film achieved enduring fame (for more details, check out what happened to the cast of “The Outsiders”), Macchio became one of its breakout successes. His portrayal of Johnny Cade remains iconic, particularly for the memorable line, “Stay gold, Ponyboy,” shared with C. Thomas Howell’s character.
Following “The Outsiders,” Macchio’s career soared when he starred as Daniel LaRusso in the 1984 classic “The Karate Kid.” Once again playing a character younger than his actual age, the then 22-year-old Macchio convincingly portrayed a 17-year-old high school student who masters karate. This role solidified his status as a household name.
Macchio reprised his role in two sequels to “The Karate Kid” and later returned as Daniel LaRusso in the beloved series “Cobra Kai,” which aired from 2018 to 2025. He also appeared in the 2025 film “Karate Kid: Legends,” which received mixed reviews, earning a 58% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, though audiences rated it highly with a 90% score.
Ralph Macchio also played a teen in The Karate Kid
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The “Karate Kid” franchise, including two reboots without Macchio, has grossed over $720 million worldwide. While “The Karate Kid” and “Cobra Kai” have overshadowed many of Macchio’s other roles, he has also delivered notable performances in films like “My Cousin Vinny” (1992) and the television series “Ugly Betty,” among other film and TV appearances.
Macchio went on to star in two “Karate Kid” sequels and he resurrected the cherished character many years later for the wildly popular sequel series “Cobra Kai,” which ran from 2018 to 2025, and the film “Karate Kid: Legends,” which dropped to mixed reviews in 2025 — it has a critical rating of just 58% on Rotten Tomatoes, but general viewers loved it, as the film’s 90% audience score proves.
To date, the “Karate Kid” franchise — which also includes two non-Macchio-starring reboots — has brought in over $720 million at the global box office. As such, “The Karate Kid” and “Cobra Kai” have overshadowed most of Macchio’s other acting roles, including “The Outsiders,” but he also had notable roles in 1992’s “My Cousin Vinny” and the popular TV series “Ugly Betty,” among numerous other film and TV credits.
