By Kayla DeKraker
KARATE KID star Ralph Macchio says his family keeps him even keeled in Hollywood.
“A combination of my own sensibilities. I’ll give credit to my parents when I was younger and to my wife and kids now,” he told Fox News Digital of how he avoided Hollywood’s pitfalls. “I’ve always kept one foot in and one foot out, keeps the balance, there’s a Miyagi-ism for you, if you’re a KARATE KID fan…I do my best.”
Though he’s 64 years old, Macchio continues to maintain his youthful looks, something he also credits to his family.
“Try to live a healthy life and not always successful, but here we are. Once again, I’ll blame my parents for my youthful appearance,” he said.
Related: Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio to Star in New KARATE KID Movie
Today Macchio works to rescue animals, something he was recognized for with the Angel & Hero Award at NYC Second Chance Rescue’s 6th Annual Rescue Ball.
“My family gets the credit,” he said of his efforts in animal rescue. “If you asked me 10 years ago if I would be honored for rescuing dogs, I’d say, ‘I’m not so sure I’m your guy.’ …But my family started going to Kent [Animal] Shelter on Long Island. Seeing these neglected animals…they had me at hello.”
NYC Second Chance Rescue Ball raises funds to “support the nonprofit’s ongoing mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome critically injured and neglected animals,” Knockturnal explained, “as well as those at high risk of euthanasia, and expand critical community outreach initiatives, including medical programs, free microchipping, and spay and neuter clinics.”
Aside from his dog rescue efforts, Macchio has fueled some rumors about a possible KARATE KID return.
“There’s been discussions,” he told PEOPLE in December. “Between the series and the movie with Jackie Chan, all that colliding at the same time, I just think there needs to be a reset. And then finding the perfect way to launch, because the fan base — it’s never gone away. It hasn’t gone away since 1984. But you want to service and be organic, and be true to the integrity of the characters. So that’s always a challenge once you are on the long game.”
Whether or not that happens, KARATE KID’s fame isn’t going away anytime soon.
“Because it worked on a human level…That character had no business winning anything,” Macchio said of the movie’s enduring popularity. “It was wish fulfillment and aspirational entertainment, and it worked. Every kid wants to have someone mentor them through the challenges — good over evil, all those elements.”
It looks like Macchio has a solid foundation in family and service.
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