Ralph Macchio

Ralph George Macchio, Jr. (born November 4, 1961) is an American actor, best known for his roles as Daniel LaRusso in the Karate Kid series, Eugene Martone in Crossroads, Billy Gambini in My Cousin Vinny, and Johnny Cade in The Outsiders. He is also known to American television audiences for his recurring role as Jeremy Andretti in the fifth season of the television comedy-drama Eight Is Enough. He also appeared on the television comedy Ugly Betty in the recurring role of Archie, a local Queens politician. He competed on the twelfth season of Dancing with the Stars. --- Macchio was born on November 4, 1961, in Huntington, New York. He is the son of Rosalie (née DeSantis) and Ralph Macchio, Sr., who owned a ranch. His father is of half-Italian and half-Greek descent, and his mother is of Italian ancestry. Macchio first appeared on American television commercials for products such as Bubble Yum and Dr Pepper. His on-screen debut was in the 1980 film Up the Academy, and his first major role was playing Jeremy Andretti in the television series Eight Is Enough. In 1984, Macchio became known internationally following the release of the first Karate Kid movie. Playing high school senior Daniel LaRusso, Macchio was actually in his early twenties when the film was made. He continued this success with the film's sequels, Karate Kid, Part II and Part III. In the mid-1980s, Macchio's face began appearing on the covers of many teen "bubblegum" magazines such as Tiger Beat, 16, and Teen Beat. As of November 2008, Macchio was ranked No. 80 among VH1's 100 Greatest Teen Stars. --- Macchio met his wife, Phyllis Fierro, a nurse practitioner, through his grandmother when he was 15. They married in 1987 and have two children, Julia and Daniel.