'The Karate Kid': Where Are They Now?

By Moviefone Staff (Subscribe to Moviefone Staff's posts)

Posted Jun 8th 2010 2:30PM

The original 'The Karate Kid' movie came out in 1984, so of course, on Hollywood's timeline, it's way overdue for a remake.

Thankfully, a new film is being delivered this summer starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan.

And so whether you want to prepare for the redone 'Karate Kid' or just relive the old one, we've got a look -- backwards and forwards -- at the actors, director and composer that made the original 'The Karate Kid' a classic.

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'The Karate Kid': Where Are They Now?

Twenty-six years after its release, John G. Avildsen's 'The Karate Kid' remains both a teen coming-of-age classic and timeless story of the social outsider who gets the girl and the win in the end. With the release of the new remake starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, we thought it was time to look back on the original film while we continue to look for that Halloween shower costume.

Columbia Pictures / Everett Collection

The Karate Kid: Where Are They Now?

'The Karate Kid'

Twenty-six years after its release, John G. Avildsen's 'The Karate Kid' remains both a teen coming-of-age classic and timeless story of the social outsider who gets the girl and the win in the end. Phrases such as "Wax on. Wax off" and "Get him a bodybag!" remain ingrained in our collective consciousness and, if you're a certain age, you definitely spent at least part of your time after school perfecting (in your head) the Crane Technique.

What started out as 'Rocky' for teenagers became one of the highest-grossing films of the decade, spawning three sequels and, with Jaden Smith in the title role and Jackie Chan as his mentor, an upcoming remake. With the release of next week's 'The Karate Kid,' we thought it was time to look back on the original film while we continue to look for that Halloween shower costume.

The Karate Kid: Where Are They Now?

Ralph Macchio

Played: Daniel Larusso

Then: Some people will inevitably remember Macchio for his work in 'Eight is Enough' or 'The Outsiders,' but for most of the world, 'The Karate Kid' turned the actor from former child commercial star to international superstar. Despite his age -- Macchio was 22 at the time of filming -- the actor's boyish looks convinced Avildsen he could take on the role as an isolated teenager.

The Karate Kid: Where Are They Now?

Ralph Macchio

Now: Macchio would reprise his role as Daniel Larusso in two sequels (earning a dreaded Razzie in 'Karate Kid, Part III') but no film has come close to matching the iconic status he portrayed in the original (though we're big fans of 'My Cousin Vinny' and his cameo as himself on 'Entourage'). Macchio remains a cultural icon, inspiring UK singer Bat for Lashes's single "Daniel" and a slew of various 1980s pop culture references.

The Karate Kid: Where Are They Now?

Noriyuki "Pat" Morita

Played: Kesuke Miyagi

Then: Older fans of the film most likely recognized Morita in television comic roles, first as Captain Sam Pak on 'M*A*S*H' and later as Arnold, owner of the titular diner, on 'Happy Days.' While appearing in numerous comedies before 'Kid,' his role as karate expert, peace-loving naturalist and mentor Kesuke Miyagi brought him international recognition, though the actor was initially rejected for the role as Avildsen originally instituted a "no comedian" rule for the role.

The Karate Kid: Where Are They Now?

Noriyuki "Pat" Morita

Now: Morita would reprise his most famous character in three sequels and continued to work on numerous films a year before his death from natural causes in 2005.

The Karate Kid: Where Are They Now?

Elisabeth Shue

Played: Ali Mills

Then: A former child star of commercials, Shue turned down a role in Sergio Leone's 'Once Upon a Time in America' and appeared in a few forgettable TV shows before landing the role of Ali Mills, Daniel's girlfriend and Shue's debut performance.

The Karate Kid: Where Are They Now?

Elisabeth Shue

Now: Shue would go on to perform in some of the decade's most popular films, including 'Back to the Future II,' 'Cocktail' and the lead role in 'Adventures in Babysitting' before earning an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of alcoholic prostitute Sera in 1995's 'Leaving Las Vegas.' Most recently, she can be seen in the upcoming 'Piranha 3-D,' a remake of the 1978 film, with Richard Dreyfuss, Ving Rhames and Eli Roth.

The Karate Kid: Where Are They Now?

William Zabka

Played: Johnny Lawrence

Then: Zabka was a virtual unknown before landing the role of head jerk Johnny Lawrence, teen hotshot of Cobra Kai. A former high school wrestler, Zabka had zero martial arts training prior to the film.

The Karate Kid: Where Are They Now?

William Zabka

Now: Nobody did '80s pompous jerk like William Zabka. In films such as 'Back to School,' and 'Just One of the Guys,' Zabka could always be counted on to be the preppy, bullying foil to the geeky protagonist. More recently, Zabka was nominated for an Academy Award for his 2004 short film 'Most' and directed the highly-meta video 'Sweep the Leg,' (for which he also appeared) for the band No More Kings.

The Karate Kid: Where Are They Now?

Andrew Shue

Played: Uncredited Cobra Kai Member

Then: Look carefully -- real carefully -- at Cobra Kai and somewhere in the depths, seven years before his first credited role as a fighter in 'American Shaolin,' you'll see 'Melrose Place' star Andrew Shue. We're guessing the then 17-year-old got the bit part through his sister Elisabeth, but we're more concerned about actually finding him in the movie.

Now: After 'Melrose Place' ended in 1998, Shue dropped out of the spotlight for a while before returning in 2007 to co-produce and star in 'Gracie,' the story of a girl that plays soccer on an all-boys high school team. In 2006, Shue co-founded CafeMom, a social networking site aimed at mothers.

The Karate Kid: Where Are They Now?

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Mark

I'm tired of these people with first-grade writing skills calling the opposition "racist". Anyone else notice that the comments from the supporters seem like they're coming from the same person?

Jaden is black; Macchio was not. Yes, Macchio's character was fictional, but so was Mark Hamill's character-Luke Skywalker. Wouldn't it have been odd for Luke to have been Chinese in the prequels? How about we remake "The Breakfast Club" and star a black woman in the role of Claire Standish?

I will say this about most comments from the opposition: at least they can discuss this without resorting to childish, name-calling and profanity. I smell republicans in our midst. Either that or 12-year-olds.

December 19 2010 at 1:36 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

simon

Josh Josh Josh....I hate to tell you 'dude', but you seem to be the one who is off track.
The whole point is that the film is called the 'Karate kid', but is about kung fu. So why is this sycophantic piece of cinema not called the 'Kung Fu Kid'? Maybe Will didnt think it through properly,or his people didnt have the balls to tell him.

August 01 2010 at 5:19 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

birdbabyface

This was big part of my childhood watching them

Maternity wear and swimwear : http://www.motherwearclothing.co.uk

August 01 2010 at 3:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

John

To all you Kung-fu/karate fans out there: a good boxer will invariably 'see-off' these exotic constructions.

August 01 2010 at 2:16 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Terryd

Kung fu means practice. You can kung fu your piano, kung fu you guitar, kung fu your archery, it means practice. kung fu your dance. Kung fu getting out of your own a*ses and taking kung fu too seriously.

August 01 2010 at 1:19 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

j.gargiulo

at least this forum is lots of laughs>thanks..lol

it could also be a political agenda for the smith family,getting his kid into acting would eventually create millions($)...i mean lets be realistic,ypu don't need much brains to be an actor although i do notice when they get famous all of a sudden they're wearing glasses(lol)as if to say now high and mighty i have grown a real brain but in reality these people used be dishwashers and the like,go on a few auditions get picked for the right look or whatever and then climb a few roles and wala!!!thats the truth.most actors and actresses were like all of us just regular people in crappy jobs(bruce willis>bar tender)etc..they tell you what to say and how to say it,if not ok then take 2/3/4/etc...dialogue coaches and such.its a luck shot to get a role on tv,svu law and order/friends/seinfeld/king of queens,do the math $500.000 per episode,make me sad as i was a funny guy at one time,have been told to go on the stage,i feel i'm too old and burnt out now at 48..wasted talent...but thats it and also furthermore this article was named where are they now not who sucks...macchio live near me i have heard in deer park long island,dropped out of hollywood after 3rd kk movie,probably had a few million,so why hasen't he come back ever to make a movie,was pretty good in the outsiders,was also on tv sitcom with decaprio in the early 80s...as far as this kid being black,this should have no bearing,example>lindsey lohan in herby re-loaded,comlete junk,made me know then she's no actress just a hollywood DL...i haven't seen the movie,i don't go to the movies as there is really nothing i like playing(ever for 10 years)...will smith i feel was lucky like the rest of them...as for his son,he should not act and be something better,can go i'm sure to any school then collage.ask any actor what they went through to get there.not the best thing if only for the big money they get eventually.

June 14 2010 at 2:00 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to j.gargiulo's comment

eliza

Remember, Will Smith went broke as a raper! He was making a lot of money even then! And he's already put his son in place by telling him, "The are kids out there that is more talented and deserving to be in your position, i didn't have to pick you." He said this after Jaden pointed out HE was the star of the movie, and his father said, "Your an actor in this movie." He took Jaden of his high horses real quick, because he himself struggled to get were he's at now, and he knows his son doesn't understand this. Watch biography channel sometimes. Also I grow up listening to Will Smith. He didn't curse when he raped! And that was different during that time. He was that talented! Some people it just a matter of natural talent and luck of the draw. Some people hustle. Don't get mad if he didn't hustle as hard as you probably did! Just keep going with your dream! Whoopy didn't make it big until her late 30's I believe she said.

June 15 2010 at 8:36 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to eliza's comment

jlbruins

I appreciate your words.Very insightful. Thanks.

February 06 2013 at 10:53 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down

david

hey fela you have no friends probably, thats why you dont have anything better than to be racist and hateful to white people, stay on the computer all day long crying about your kind, you pitiful loser,go back to africa and kiss your black peoples butts , you low life , and say hi to your black budies for me ok , dont get wet on the way, take care god bless.

June 13 2010 at 6:31 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Eileen Mericle

I think I was 15 when I was first made aware of how important "name above the title" was to actors. It was STAR status. Some actors have graciously waived their top billing right in favor of some lesser-rated actor. A book could be filled with such anecdotes. Don't knock it until you've lived in that arena.

June 13 2010 at 6:25 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

jrcbiz

Shue an alcoholic prostitute? Did you actually see this film??????

June 13 2010 at 2:05 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Fatguy711

WHO CARES?????? The "new" Karate Kid was CRAP - there are some movies that are best being left alone. Maybe Will Smith can fatten the kid up and in 10 years they can use him to remake "Rocky".........although I don't know many brothers named Rocky, let's call it Rah Kee.

June 13 2010 at 1:59 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Fatguy711's comment

spirit

@Fatguy....Is jealousy the cause of your fatness? I think so. You are fat with jealousy and racism.

June 13 2010 at 2:41 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

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'The Karate Kid': Where Are They Now?

The Karate Kid: Where Are They Now?