Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me

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Second chance: Netflix’s Cobra Kai season five premiere event with Courtney Henggeler and Mary Mouser. Photograph: Allen Berezovsky/FilmMagic Macchio is almost too pure for this world. He's avoided the usual child star scandals. Especially considering that for a huge chunk of time from "My Cousin Vinnie" until "Cobra Kai" his career was essentially over. That would cause a lot of folks to spiral (cough Corey Feldman cough) but Macchio is a family man who seems pretty grounded.

Kenneally, Tim (March 28, 2011). "Ralph Macchio, Elijah Wood Think Bad Thoughts in Indie Music Clip". The Wrap. Archived from the original on April 4, 2011 . Retrieved March 28, 2011.Then came "The Karate Kid". Of course I was there to see it. Again, and again. I have seen many of Macchio's movies, but I haven't delved into the world of Cobra Kai. I'm not really sure why, other than making the time to do it. Based on his descriptions of how they've molded the Miyagiverse, I think it may be time to start watching. I liked “Karate Kid” the original movie and will watch it whenever it pops up on TV. I found the movie provided some excellent life lessons. I don’t remember much about #2 or #3 and never even heard about “Cobra Kai” before now.

Rosen, J.J. (November 22, 2019). "Mr. Miyagi and the quest for the perfect mentor". The Tennessean. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023 . Retrieved August 23, 2021.a b Hudson, Laura (October 15, 2007). "From Spidey to King: Comics vet to adapt Stephen King's Dark Tower series". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on July 25, 2008 . Retrieved August 18, 2008. Van Gelder, Lawrence (14 March 1986). "Happy Ending for a Former Blues Singer". The New York Times. p.C8. Yeah, and the way he said in that Bronx way. “The kid who bought me a couple of houses.” ( Laughs.) William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence and Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso in Cobra Kai. Courtesy of Curtis Bonds Baker/Netflix

The climactic guitar duel between Eugene and Butler was originally intended to be a slide-guitar blues contest, with Cooder appearing on screen as Butler, and with Roth dubbing Eugene's part. [13] Director Walter Hill decided to replace Cooder and produce a harder "boxing match" style battle, with Keith Richards, Frank Zappa, and Stevie Ray Vaughan considered for the part of Butler. [14] He settled on Alcatrazz player Steve Vai, hoping that the fashionable shred guitar style would increase the film's appeal to a wider audience. [14] Cooder was disappointed; he and Roth felt the use of a contemporary musical style was not in keeping with the movie's blues theme, and would badly date the film later. [13] Ralph Macchio and Phil Hartman screen test". Youtube. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021 . Retrieved October 10, 2014. I put a counter-proposal to Macchio: that it is thrusting people, more forceful people, who benefit most from opportunities. In other words, maybe being nice has not always served his interests. “Huh. That’s interesting. Maybe I did undercut myself. I’m thinking this through now – this is a new thought in my mind. What happens is, it’s very hard not to become desperate when you want to find work that isn’t there. There was a section of time when that was happening to me. That’s often when actors go off the deep end or down a dark path. Because it’s such a seductive thing, success.” He kept out of trouble, he guesses, because he was always more interested in his Long Island life than his Hollywood one. He was nice. In 2005, Macchio played himself in the HBO series Entourage. [1] Beginning in October 2008, he appeared in several episodes of the ABC Network television series Ugly Betty as Archie Rodriguez, a local politician who is Hilda's love interest. [13] As of November 2008, Macchio was ranked No. 80 among VH1's 100 Greatest Teen Stars. [14] Taking risks, being more kneejerk with decisions, with your lifestyle,” he says, “that probably does create more opportunity. I get that. But it wasn’t me.”I got choked up a time or two as it became evident, and impacting, the relationship --friendship-- that grew between Macchio and Pat Morita. The funeral service for Morita - where Zabka showed, as well. That did me in. The pair meet 17-year-old Frances, who is fleeing her abusive stepfather. She hitchhikes with them, and she and Eugene start a relationship. When she abandons them to continue her own journey, Eugene is left heartbroken but with a deeper feeling for the blues. I am a Ralph Macchio fan. Always have been, however . . . I have since seen The Outsiders, Karate Kid I & II, and My Cousin Vinny -- each over 100 times. Easy. Karate Kid III was very . . . meh. I enjoyed The Next Karate Kid very much (Probably watched it 3 or 4 times). Cobra Kai -- I have watched each season more than once.