Ralph Macchio’s true Hollywood story is about as unique as it gets.
The actor also shares the one thing aboutKarate Kid Part IIhe would have handled “totally differently” today.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Why did you decide to write a book?
Ralph Macchio and Anthony Michael Hall.Robin Platzer/Getty Images; Everett Collection
RALPH MACCHIO:I’ve been asked for a couple of years [to write a book].
BeforeCobra Kaiever hit, I was asked.
“Cary Elweshad hisPrincess Bridebook that was a [hit].
You know how [publishers] go, “Oh, this is aNew York Timesbestseller.
What other movies could we get?”
I felt it was a unique story to tell.
We can’t leave the house.”
[The proposal] was the easy part, and selling it was easy part.
Then you have to write it, all by yourself.
I wrote it during season 4 and 5 ofCobra Kai, which we shot back-to-back during the pandemic.
It was an amazing journey.
It was difficult at times, staring at that white page.
But I had all these stories over these years.
You share some very detailed recollections from the making ofKarate Kid, from early talks to auditions to productions.
Did you keep journals or diaries at the time?
Or do you just have a super-human memory?
It’s not super-human.
[laughs] There are certain things that stick.
Like the John Hughes audition forSixteen Candles, when I went in with Emilio [Estevez].
I just remember that day.
But that one sticks for whatever reason.
I met a billion people backstage Broadway with De Niro.
Everyone came to see that, but I don’t remember all of them.
I really like that chapter.
When that character was written off, I would’ve picked up the phone.
But at the time, I was just wrapped up.
I was on the movieTeachersat that time withNick Nolte, and the world was going fast.
I never looked at it from her perspective.
It was always from my perspective.
The beauty ofCobra Kaiis that it gives me all those do-overs.
It is not a tell-all; it’s the anti-E!
[laughs] Is there any other actor to play Ferris Bueller?
And Marty McFly is the other example.
So, I touch on the ’80s of it all.
Were there misconceptions or other things you wanted people to know about this time in your life?
I just wanted to be open and honest about it.
By talking about it in the book, it’s kind of paying it forward.
I got [advice like that] from De Niro when I was working on stage with him.
So I enjoy being [makes air quotes] the old guy, shall I say?
I think in the book, it’s about that honesty and humility.
Maybe someone can look at that and take my experience and see where that may apply in their lives.
Was it cathartic at all to talk about those past frustrations?
It didn’t feel good, and it wasn’t working.
But I was completely out of balance.
I was a rudderless ship.
“Walk right side, safe.
Walk left side, safe.
Walk middle, sooner or later, get squished just like grape.”
I tie in those Miyagi-isms.
The only bad choice is no choice, and I was making no choice except to not be happy.
Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Meis on sale now.
