Tamlyn Tomita, Ralph Macchio and William Zabka at the unveiling of Macchio’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Nov. 20.
Rafu Wire Service and Staff Reports
A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was unveiled Nov. 20 honoring Ralph Macchio for a movie and television career highlighted by his starring role in the 1984 film “The Karate Kid,” two sequels, and “Cobra Kai,” Netflix’s sequel to the films.
William Zabka, who plays Johnny Lawrence in both “The Karate Kid” and “Cobra Kai,” and Tamlyn Tomita, who portrayed Kumiko, the love interest of Macchio’s character, Daniel LaRusso, in “The Karate Kid Part II” (1986) 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. The remaining episodes will air next year.
“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 Daniel’s mentor, Mr. Miyagi, in “The Karate Kid,” “The Karate Kid Part II” and “The Karate Kid Part III.” Morita appears in flashbacks in “Cobra Kai” and Daniel’s dojo is named after Miyagi.
Morita also starred in “The Next Karate Kid” (1994), which did not feature Macchio but introduced Hilary Swank as Miyagi’s new student.
“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. She made her movie debut in the “Karate Kid” sequel, which took place in Okinawa but was filmed in Hawaii, and has since starred in numerous films, including “Come See the Paradise,” “The Joy Luck Club” and “The Day After Tomorrow,” as well as such TV shows as “24,” “Glee,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” “Berlin Station” and “The Good Doctor.”
“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.
Yuji Okumoto, who plays Chozen, another enemy-turned-ally, in “The Karate Kid Part II” and “Cobra Kai,” was among Macchio’s friends who attended the ceremony.
A celebration of the 40thanniversary of “The Karate Kid” in 2014 at the Japanese American National Museum, featured Macchio, Zabka, Tomita, Martin Kove, who played Kreese in both the films and “Cobra Kai,” director John Avildsen, and Morita’s daughter Aly.
Born Nov. 4, 1961 in Huntington, N.Y., 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 TV 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 Daniel in the next film installment of the “Karate Kid” franchise, “Karate Kid: Legends,” also starring Jackie Chan, Ben Wang and Ming-Na Wen, and set for release in May 2025. It is revealed that Chan’s character from the 2010 “Karate Kid” movie, Mr. Han, knew Miyagi.