Handsomely featured, lanky Italian-American actor with boyish looks that initially assisted his career, but in more recent years have probably restricted his opportunities at getting stronger, dramatic roles. Started out in various TV commercials in the late 1970's before appearing in the puerile comedy movie "The Up The Academy (1980)", then a regular role on the TV series "Eight is Enough" (1980 ...
show all Handsomely featured, lanky Italian-American actor with boyish looks that initially assisted his career, but in more recent years have probably restricted his opportunities at getting stronger, dramatic roles. Started out in various TV commercials in the late 1970's before appearing in the puerile comedy movie "The Up The Academy (1980)", then a regular role on the TV series "Eight is Enough" (1980) followed by a decent performance as teenager "Johhny Cade" in the "Outsiders (1983)" based on the popular S.E. Hinton novel about troubled youth.
In 1984, Macchio scored the lead role in the "The Karate Kid (1984)" directed by "The Rocky (1976)" director John G. Avildsen. The film was a phenomenal success, being highly popular with adults and children alike. Macchio played an awkward teenager, "Daniel LaRusso", moving from Newark, NJ to California with his well meaning mother. However, he runs into trouble being bullied by local thugs, falls for a girl from a wealthy family, and then finds a new "father figure" in his apartment building's Oriental handyman, who teaches him karate and inner wisdom, and guides him to win the local martial arts tournament. The movie spawned two equally popular sequels "Karate Kid Part II (1986)" and "The Karate Kid Part III (1989)", both again starring Macchio and Pat Morita, and both directed by John G. Avildsen.
Macchio also starred in the blues road movie "Crossroads (1986)", featured alongside Joe Pesci in "My Cousin Vinny (1992)" and, looking to toughen up his image, Macchio played a hit man in "Good Night to Die, A (2003)". Arguably, movie audiences still identify Macchio very strongly with his "Karate Kid" role, but as his features have gained a more weathered, adult edge, he has found opportunities and positive reviews from appearances in stage productions showcasing his acting talent. It would be great to see this versatile actor score some broader and more challenging film roles.
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