Karate Kid star Ralph Macchio beams as he receives a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame: ‘It means the world to me’

Ralph Macchio has said receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame ‘means the world to me’.

The actor, 63, is best known for his role as Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid (1984) and it’s two sequels. He now reprises the role on the Sony TV series Cobra Kai.

Ralph appeared at the Los Angeles ceremony alongside his co-stars William Zabka and Tamlyn Tomita.

His star was unveiled next to his late Karate Kid co-star Pat Morita who played the beloved Mr Miyagi. 

During his speech, Ralph said: ‘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. 

‘Our partnership is something I always described as a soulful magic of The Karate Kid films, and he is still here today blessing all these stories that are moving forward. I can feel him here.

The actor, 63, is best known for his role as Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid (1984) and it’s two sequels. He now reprises the role on the Sony TV series Cobra Kai

Ralph appeared at the Los Angeles ceremony alongside his co-star William Zabka

‘It is only fitting I shall remain Miyagi-adjacent until the end of time,’ he joked.

‘The fact that that was part of the decision in putting us together, it means the world to me.’

William Zabka, who plays Johnny Lawrence in the franchise, dressed in a Karate Kid costume to sign autographs for fans ahead of the ceremony.

He recalled meeting Ralph at auditions for the original film, saying: ‘From day one he was a big star and a big talent, but he was Ralph. 

‘He was so grounded and so easy to be with…After all these years he hasn’t changed one bit’

‘He kicked his way into our hearts in the 1984 movie and literally right through my face. 

‘How do you measure a friendship and a relationship of four decades, it is a gift that we get to keep doing this together…I love him like a brother.’

Raph was also joined by his wife Phyllis and their children Daniel and Julia 

His star was unveiled next to his late Karate Kid co-star Pat Morita who played the beloved Mr Miyagi

Ralph said: ‘To have this star placed right next to my acting partner from that film, the great Pat Morita, is so meaningful to me (L-R Sarah Zurell, guest, Tamlyn Tomita, Ralph, William Zabka, and Steve Nissen)

Ralph’s big break came when he was cast in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1983 film The Outsiders, followed by The Karate Kid the next year.

He has also appeared in films including My Cousin Vinny and Naked In New York while he has also had recurring roles on shows like Ugly Betty and The Deuce. 

Ralph has been married to Phyllis Fierro since 1987 and the couple have two children, Daniel and Julia.