Photo: ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP / Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD (CNS) - A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was unveiled Wednesday honoring Ralph Macchio for a movie and television career highlighted by his starring role in the 1984 film "The Karate Kid" and "Cobra Kai," Netflix's sequel to that film.
William Zabka, a castmate of Macchio in both "The Karate Kid" and "Cobra Kai," and Tamlyn Tomita, who portrayed the love interest of Macchio's character Daniel LaRusso in "The Karate Kid Part II" and appeared in three episodes of "Cobra Kai," joined Macchio at the ceremony.
"My mom and dad are watching right now. It means the world to me for them to experience this," an emotional Macchio, 63, said during the ceremony. "They and my brother, Steven, provided the foundation for who I am."
The star unveiling came four days after the release of the second set of five episodes of "Cobra Kai's" sixth and final season.
"His passion and authenticity is contagious and challenging and everything you'd want and hope from a creative partner," Zabka, 59, said. "As eloquent as he is 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."
The star, located at 6633 Hollywood Blvd. in front of Escape Hotel, is the 2,796th since the completion of the Walk of Fame in 1961 with the initial 1,558 stars. It is next to the star of the late Pat Morita, who portrayed LaRusso's mentor Mr. Miyagi in "The Karate Kid," "The Karate Kid Part II" and "The Karate Kid Part III."
"To have this star placed right next to my acting partner from that film, the great Pat Morita, is so meaningful to me, so powerful to me," Macchio said. "Our partnership is something I always describe as the soulful magic of `The Karate Kid' film."
Tomita, 58, reflected on her time with Macchio, highlighting his standout qualities both on and off the screen.
"Thank you so much for your unmatched integrity in seeking balance, your ever-present gratitude, your brilliant tenacity, your self-deprecating wit ... and just good old-fashioned class," Tomita said.
Born Nov. 4, 1961 in Huntington, New York. Macchio began his career appearing in commercials in the late 1970s. He made his film debut in the 1980 comedy "Up the Academy." He also made his television debut that year when he joined the cast of the ABC family drama "Eight is Enough," as Abby Bradford's (Betty Buckley) troubled nephew Jeremy.
After "Eight is Enough" ended its run in 1981, Macchio was cast in the Francis Ford Coppola-directed coming-of-age crime drama, "The Outsiders." His other film credits include "My Cousin Vinny," "Hitchcock" and "Teachers."
Macchio's other television credits include "The Deuce," "Psych," "Ugly Betty," "Happily Divorced," "Entourage" and "Head Case."
Macchio will again reprise the role of LaRusso in the next film installment of the "Karate Kid" franchise, "Karate Kid: Legends," set for release in May 2025.