Ralph George Macchio (born November 4, 1961) is an American actor of Italian ancestry. His most notable role was as Daniel LaRusso in the Karate Kid series.

Born in Huntington, Long Island, New York, Macchio attended Half Hollow Hills High School West.

Macchio first appeared on television in commercials for products such as Bubble Yum and Dr Pepper. His first major role was playing Jeremy in the television series Eight Is Enough. In 1983, he appeared alongside many young actors who had yet to become major stars, such as C. Thomas Howell, Tom Cruise, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Patrick Swayze, and Matt Dillon in The Outsiders.