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“Wax on, wax off” has paved the way for Ralph Macchio to walk on — the Hollywood Walk of Fame, that is.
The Long Island native, who rose to fame as Daniel LaRusso in the beloved “Karate Kid” franchise and reprised the role in the hit TV series “Cobra Kai” decades later, was honored Wednesday with a star on Hollywood Boulevard.
The Miller Place resident was joined at the unveiling ceremony by “Karate Kid” and “Cobra Kai” co-star William Zabka, who portrays LaRusso’s longtime rival Johnny Lawrence, along with a host of other co-stars, family and friends.
In a heartfelt speech at the ceremony, Macchio, 63, thanked his parents; his two children, Daniel and Julia; and his wife of 37 years (and high school sweetheart) Phyllis Fierro. He also shared gratitude for the support he’s receive from his friends and fans.
“I’ve just learned to be so grateful and appreciative at this age in my life, absorbing and learning and sharing the wisdom that I’ve gained from others, paying that legacy forward, whether that be with the young cast of “Cobra Kai” or friends of my kids,” said Macchio, whose star is next to his late “Karate Kid” castmate and mentor Pat Morita.
“I get such joy out of sharing that wisdom and taking a piece of the legacy and passing that on,” he continued. “I do not take it for granted that we get to spread a little bit of joy in what is sometimes not always a joyful world,” he added.
Loves him ‘like a brother’
Speaking prior to Macchio, Zabka told the audience that he loves his onscreen nemesis “like a brother.”
“As eloquent as he is an artist, it doesn’t stop on screen,” Zabka, 59, said. “He’s just as genuine and sincere and good as a father, as a husband and an all-around family man.”
Other roles that made him shine
Macchio, a lifelong New York Islanders fan, grew up in Huntington, where he cultivated his dream to be on screen. He appeared in commercials in the late 1970s before joining the cast of the popular ABC family drama “Eight is Enough” in 1980 as Jeremy Andretti, the troubled nephew of Abby Bradford (Betty Buckley).
Before landing the lead role 1984’s “Karate Kid,” Macchio played Johnny Cade in Francis Ford Coppola’s coming-of-age drama “The Outsiders” in 1983. Later, he delivered a memorable performance as Bill Gambini in the 1992 hit comedy “My Cousin Vinny.”
“Karate Kid” stood strong as a cultural touchstone with its underdog storyline and timeless life lessons. Decades later, “Cobra Kai” revitalized the franchise, blending nostalgia with fresh storytelling.
After its debut on YouTube in 2018, the series quickly shifted to Netflix and has garnered critical acclaim and a massive following, introducing Macchio to a new generation of fans and rejuvenating his prominence in pop culture. The second part of the sixth and final season of “Cobra Kai” was released on Friday; the last five episodes will drop on Feb. 13.
For his work in martial arts with “Karate Kid” and “Cobra Kai,” Macchio was inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.
Macchio’s addition to the Hollywood Walk of Fame puts him alongside other notable Long Islanders, including Billy Joel, Mariah Carey and Eddie Murphy.
Macchio’s Walk of Fame Ceremony
Embed from Getty ImagesTamlyn Tomita, who played LaRusso’ on-screen love interest Kumiko in “The Karate Kid Part II” and reprised the character for several episodes in “Cobra Kai,” said she had travelled home from Okinawa in Japan to attend the Walk of Fame induction. She praised Macchio for his “integrity” and “tenacity.”
“You have no idea how much I look up to you, how much I’ve loved you and learned from you, and that I will always be the woman that will fight for your honor,” she said during a tearful speech. “You are so deserving of the star and may it shine forever.”
