Ralph Macchio is an American actor who rose to fame for his role as Daniel LaRusso in the Karate Kid film franchise and the sequel series Cobra Kai. He has also appeared in other notable films and TV shows, such as The Outsiders, My Cousin Vinny, and Ugly Betty. As of 2023, his net worth is estimated to be $8 million.
Ralph Macchio: An Overview
Biography
In Huntington, New York, Ralph George Macchio Jr. was born on November 4, 1961. Parents Rosalie and Ralph Macchio Sr. owned a ranch and wastewater disposal firm. His younger brother is Steven. His parents are Italian and Greek.
Macchio started tap dancing at three and was found by a talent agency at 16. Half Hollow Hills Central School District in Dix Hills, New York, graduated him in 1979.
Career Highlights
Macchio made his acting debut in the TV series Eight Is Enough in 1980. He then starred as Johnny Cade in the film The Outsiders in 1983, alongside other young actors such as Tom Cruise, Rob Lowe, and Patrick Swayze.
His breakthrough role came in 1984 when he played Daniel LaRusso in the martial arts film The Karate Kid. He reprised his role in two sequels, The Karate Kid Part II (1986) and The Karate Kid Part III (1989). He also learned karate from his co-star Pat Morita, who played his mentor Mr. Miyagi.
Macchio continued to act in various films and TV shows throughout the years. Some of his notable works include Crossroads (1986), Cuba and His Teddy Bear (1986), My Cousin Vinny (1992), Naked in New York (1993), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1996), Entourage (2005), Ugly Betty (2008), Hitchcock (2012), Psych: The Movie (2017), and The Deuce (2017-2019).
In 2011, he participated in the reality show Dancing with the Stars, where he partnered with Karina Smirnoff. He reached the semi-finals and finished fourth.
In 2018, he returned to his iconic role as Daniel LaRusso in the web series Cobra Kai, which is a sequel to the Karate Kid films. The series follows the rivalry between Daniel and his former nemesis Johnny Lawrence (played by William Zabka). The series has received critical acclaim and has been renewed for a fifth season.
Awards and Achievements
Macchio has won several awards and nominations for his acting career. Some of them are:
- Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical, Comedy, Adventure or Drama for The Karate Kid (1985)
- Bravo Otto Award for Best Male TV Star for The Karate Kid Part II (1987)
- Young Artist Award for Best Young Male Superstar in Motion Pictures for The Karate Kid Part II (1987)
- Golden Raspberry Award nomination for Worst Supporting Actor for The Karate Kid Part III (1990)
- CableACE Award nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy Series for Too Much Sun (1991)
- MTV Movie Award nomination for Best Kiss with Marisa Tomei for My Cousin Vinny (1993)
- Teen Choice Award nomination for Choice TV: Chemistry with William Zabka for Cobra Kai (2018)
- Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series as a producer for Cobra Kai (2021)
Social Media Presence
Macchio is active on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. He has over 600k followers on Twitter and over 1.2 million followers on Instagram. He often posts updates about his personal and professional life, as well as photos and videos with his co-stars and fans.
Ralph Macchio’s Net Worth in 2023
Current Net Worth
According to various sources, Ralph Macchio’s net worth as of 2023 is estimated to be $8 million. This is a significant increase from his previous net worth of $5 million in 2020.
Sources of Income
Macchio’s main source of income is his acting career. He has appeared in more than 50 films and TV shows since his debut in 1980. He has also earned money from endorsements, commercials, and appearances.
One of his most lucrative projects is Cobra Kai, which reportedly pays him $100k per episode. The series has been a huge success on Netflix, attracting millions of viewers and generating millions of dollars in revenue.
Investments or Business Ventures
Macchio has also invested in some business ventures, such as a production company called Macchio Entertainment, which he founded in 2008. The company has produced some of his projects, such as Wax On, F*ck Off (2010), Across Grace Alley (2013), and Lost Cat Corona (2017).
Macchio also owns a few properties, such as a house in Long Island, New York, which he bought for $1.45 million in 1997. He also owns a condo in Manhattan, New York, which he bought for $1.1 million in 2005.
Ralph Macchio: Personal Life and Family
Age and Height
Macchio is 61 years old as of 2023. He stands 5 feet 8 inches (1.75 meters) tall.
Relationship Status
Macchio is married to Phyllis Fierro, a nurse practitioner. They met when he was 15 years old and she was 16 years old, through his grandmother. They got married on April 5, 1987, and have been together for over 36 years.
Family Background
Macchio and Fierro have two children: a son named Daniel (born in 1996) and a daughter named Julia (born in 1992). Both of them have followed their father’s footsteps and pursued acting careers. Daniel has appeared in films such as That Was Then (2002) and From the Heart of the Crowd (2011). Julia has appeared in films such as Girl Most Likely (2012) and Stella’s Last Weekend (2018).
Macchio is very close to his family and often expresses his love and gratitude for them on social media. He also enjoys spending time with them and doing activities such as traveling, golfing, and watching movies.
