serious heartbreak for ralph macchio: his son daniel macchio is in big trouble

When one thinks of the most popular movies of the ’80s, “The Karate Kid” is up there as one of the decade’s biggest hits. When released in 1984, the movie took in a staggering $90.82 million at the domestic box office after being made with an $8 million budget. As the titular star of the decade-defining flick, Ralph Macchio quickly became not just a household name, but, according to the Long Island Press, “a bonafide piece of pop culture.”

say the veteran actor accurately predicted the future is an understatement. Not only did he go on to star in two more installments of the franchise, but now, over 35 years later, he’s reprising the role in its reboot “Cobra Kai.” Already in its fourth season and renewed for a fifth, the beloved Netflix series allows for new generations to learn the story of Daniel and the actor who made him a lasting movie icon.

Although fans may think they know all there is to learn about the Long Island, New York, native, who hails from the same hometown as Mariah Carey, here are some more interesting facts we discovered about the doting husband and father of two.

Ralph Macchio married his high school sweetheart

When it comes to marriage, Ralph Macchio’s course has been unlike many of his industry peers. The actor has been married to his high school sweetheart, Phyllis Fierro, since 1987, giving Hollywood couples major relationship goals. (Check out this throwback photo from the early days of their courtship that their daughter posted on Instagram.) The lovebirds first laid eyes on each other in Macchio’s grandmother’s basement at a cousin’s birthday party when he was just 15, which he called “infatuation and love at first sight” while speaking with Drew Barrymore on her talk show. “She was a friend of my cousin, and we just smiled and talked and danced a little,” he told People of their fateful first encounter.

They tied the knot less than a year after “Karate Kid II” premiered (via People) and have enjoyed a long and happy union, raising two children together — Julia Macchio, born in 1992, and Daniel Macchio, in 1996. When asked about the key to their staying power, Macchio revealed it’s a deep commitment to one another. “It’s the belief through the easy times, through the tough times, whatever we encounter, that we are meant to be together,” he said to People.

Macchio has praised his wife, a nurse practitioner, for her “hero work” on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, he was interviewed on “The View” and gushed about how proud he was of her perseverance in the face of adversity.