The world was first introduced to Ralph "Baby Face" Macchio in 1984 with the release of "The Karate Kid." He inspire his audience to never give up reaching for their dreams in one karate crane stance. Then he proceeded to fall off the face of the earth. So were is The Karate Kid now?

I know . . . I know, it has been years since you last thought about the infamous Karate Kid, Ralph Macchio. I even bet if someone came up to you and asked you who your favorite character was in the Karate Kid movies you would undoubtedly say . . . Mr. Miyagi. But, if that same person asked you who made the movie memorable, you would have to admit that it was Ralph Macchio's character Daniel LaRusso.

These days you will be hard pressed to find a sighting of Macchio let alone see him in film. So where is he hiding? Where is that tall, dark, and extremely youthful looking Macchio now? He may be closer than you think. But first lets take a short trip down memory lane.

Ralph Macchio was born in Long Island in November 4, 1961. He became an 80's icon as thousands of fans flock to see him star in "The Karate Kid" movies. However before he shined in his role as Daniel LaRusso, he had a very active beginnings to an acting career. Macchio's baby faced good looks landed him many character roles with a youthful audience. However, later in his career, it would be more of a hindrance as he tried to develop his talent for more mature roles.

In 1980, Macchio appeared in a teenager directed comedy called "Up the Academy" as Chooch. The next sighting of Macchio is on the set of "Eight is Enough" for one season as Jeremy Andretti. Television seemed to be another avenue that he could sink his teeth into and so he took on two more tv projects called "Dangerous Company" and "High Powder." His potential to be a leading man was showcase as he played a tender adolescent trying to prove himself while living in tough times in the Francis Ford Coppala epic, "The Outsiders."

The year 1984 would prove to be defining for Macchio as he took on a role of a lifetime in "The Karate Kid." Although, he played a 14-year-old boy learning the art of karate from a guru karate instructor, he was actually twenty-two years old. Many fans were shocked when they realized that Danielsan was not a boy at all, but a man. This small deception only showed his audience how skilled an actor he was to portray such a youthful character. As a credit to his performance, he was named as one of the twelve Best Up and Coming Actors of 1984.

Though the rest of his career seems a bit spasmodic and a lot less headlining, Macchio has been around. Here are some of his acting credits since his Karate Kid days:

Teachers (1984)

. . . Eddie Pilikian
Three Wishes of Billy Grier,The

(1984) (TV)

. . . Billy Grier
Crossroads (1986)

. . . Eugene Martone
Distant Thunder (1988)

. . . Jack Lambert
Too Much Sun (1991)

. . . Frank, Jr.
My Cousin Vinny (1992)

. . . Billy Gambini
The Last P.O.W.?

The Bobby Garwood Story, The

(1993) (TV)

. . . Robert Garwood
Naked in New York (1994)

. . . Chris
Secret of NIMH 2:

Timmy to the Rescue, The

(1998) (V) (voice)

. . . 17-year-old Tim
Dizzyland (1998)
Can't Be Heaven (1999)

. . . Hubbie Darling
Office Party, The (2000)

. . . Sean
Popcorn Shrimp (2001)

. . . Cop #2

As the late 90's rolled around, it was easier for Macchio to get more adult roles. In 1999, he starred in "Forever Together" which was his first starring role in five years. Macchio also has pursued directing as a sideline to acting. In 1997 helped to direct a sitcom called "The Ties That Bind" and even more currently, "Love Thy Brother" in 2002. Macchio is currently living in New Jersey and at 41 years old is still popular as ever with his die-hard fans. His acting potential could be endless with his talent for grasping the heart of a character.

If you are on the look out for Ralph Macchio's next surprise appearance, you will not have to look long. You can see Macchio in the 2003 release of "A Cold Day In August" as Donnie. The film is about a day in the life of a hit man, Ronnie (Gary Stretch), who spends it trying to save the life of fellow hit man, August (Michael Rapaport).

So the mystery of Danielsan/Ralph Macchio has been solved. Although, we may not have seen him around as often as we would like, he still has been there all along chasing his dream. Or as Mr. Miyagi would say, "Wax on . . . wax off, Danielsan! Es good . . . es very good!"