Ralph Macchio has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, surrounded by love and support. The 63-year-old actor received this recognition on November 20, with his family and friends in attendance, celebrating the achievement as his star was placed beside that of his late Karate Kid co-star, Pat Morita, in Hollywood.
During the ceremony, William Zabka and Tamlyn Tomita, who also starred alongside Macchio in Karate Kid and Cobra Kai, shared their thoughts. Zabka, 59, referred to Macchio as “a gift” in his life, praising his passion and authenticity both on and off-screen.
William Zabka praises Ralph Macchio’s passion and authenticity at star ceremony
“His passion and authenticity are contagious and challenging and everything you’d want and hope for from a creative partner,” Zabka said. “As eloquent as he is as an artist, it doesn’t stop on screen. He’s just as genuine and sincere and good as a father, as a husband, and an all-around family man.” He concluded, “I love him like a brother.”
Tomita, 58, also spoke highly of Macchio’s character, commending his “integrity,” “tenacity,” and “good old-fashioned class.” Fighting back tears, she shared, “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 who will fight for your honor.” She ended by saying, “You are so deserving of the star and may it shine forever.”
Taking the microphone, Macchio expressed heartfelt gratitude, thanking his parents, children, and wife of 37 years, Phyllis Fierro. He became emotional as he acknowledged the unwavering support of 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,” he said. “I get such joy out of sharing that wisdom and taking a piece of the legacy and passing that on, and 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.”
Macchio, who was born in Huntington, New York, began his career with appearances in Eight Is Enough and the 1983 film The Outsiders, before landing his iconic role as Daniel LaRusso in 1984’s The Karate Kid.
The film’s success led to four sequels, and a new movie, Karate Kid: Legends, starring Macchio and Jackie Chan, is set for release in 2025. The franchise also gave rise to the popular Cobra Kai series, which premiered on YouTube in 2018 before moving to Netflix.
Throughout his career, Macchio has appeared in various TV and film projects, including My Cousin Vinny, Ugly Betty, How I Met Your Mother, The Deuce, and Dancing with the Stars. He met his future wife, Phyllis Fierro, when he was 15 at a cousin’s birthday party in his grandmother’s basement. The couple married in August 1987 and has two children, Julia, 31, and Daniel, 29.
Reflecting on the success of Cobra Kai, Macchio shared how much it meant to see the franchise remain a part of his life and his children’s. “Part of the beauty of the success of Cobra Kai is how much my kids are enjoying it,” he said in January 2021.
“To bring something that was such a big part of my life 35 years ago and see it be such a present part of their lives today, it’s really wonderful.” He added, “I’m still a nerd dad!”
Despite his children growing up, Macchio continues to embrace his role as a father, acknowledging that parenting remains a journey of learning. “You’re skinning your knees like it’s the second day of first grade,” he explained. “Failing is probably the wrong word, but you are learning all the time through the journey.”
He also reflected on how his perspective has evolved, saying, “Everything I do now, more often than 10, 15 years ago, I’m thinking of it for the sake of my children as they’re getting older. They’re adults, but they’re always your kids.”
