Ralph Macchio's relationship with Pat Morita was "magic," according to his new book..

[DGUtley]

Ralph Macchio's relationship with Pat Morita was "magic," according to his new book...


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As the sage Mr. Miyagi taught his karate pupil Daniel-san, "Man who catch fly with chopstick accomplish anything.” So a book doesn't seem too tall an order for Ralph Macchio, the actor who portrayed underdog Daniel LaRusso in the franchise's first three "Karate Kid" films and Netflix's "Cobra Kai." He was able to snag a fly, after all.

"Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me" (Dutton, 256 pp., out Tuesday) traces the rise of Macchio, now 60, after the original film's 1984 release that crane-kicked off 1986 and 1989 follow-up features and a Netflix series going five seasons strong that elaborates on the story of Daniel's original opponent, Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka).


"The book is always tied into the Daniel LaRusso of it all, ‘The Karate Kid’ journey of it all," Macchio tells USA TODAY. "Even though I talk about ‘The Outsiders’ and ‘My Cousin Vinny,’ and my life and my wife and kids here and there, and the '90s that got a little dry for me after the '80s success."


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[carolina73]

It must be tough when you peak in your teens or mid 20s. He continued to work but he is known as the Karate Kid.

[RMNIXON]

It must be tough when you peak in your teens or mid 20s. He continued to work but he is known as the Karate Kid.

Many young actors fall into the stereotype trap and never get out of it. Some quit acting for regular jobs.