Ralph Macchio, best known for his role as Daniel LaRusso in “The Karate Kid,” has recently resurfaced in the public eye with the revival of his iconic role on Netflix’s critically acclaimed series “Cobra Kai.”
Although Macchio is best known for his role as Daniel LaRusso in “The Karate Kid,” the actor had a few roles prior to the popular franchise, including Jeremy Andretti on ABC’s “Eight Is Enough” from 1980 to 1981Footage of a young Macchio auditioning for ABC has recently resurfaced. Macchio made his first television appearance in “Eight Is Enough.”Shortly before the 1980 screen test, Macchio had wrapped production on “Up the Academy,” a Warner Bros.
film in which he made his first on-screen appearance as Chooch Bambalazi.Despite the fact that “Up the Academy” was Macchio’s first on-screen role, he had prior experience in the entertainment industry.
Macchio did, in fact, have a long dance career. Macchio, who had been dancing since he was three years old, was discovered by a talent agent at a local dance recital when he was sixteen, according to Biography.com.Macchio was not enthusiastic about the idea of his agent sending him to some local commercial auditions.
“Once, when an audition clashed with a beach party invitation that seemed too good to pass up, he sent a friend to the audition in his place,” the article explains. Despite his reservations, Macchio was cast in “Up the Academy” two years later, which launched his acting career. Macchio would go on to land the role he’s auditioning for in the clip: Jeremy Andretti on the ABC dramedy “Eight Is Enough,” where his first episode, appropriately titled “Jeremy,” aired on November 5, 1980.
to IMDb, Jeremy Andretti was the nephew of Abby Abbott Bradford (Betty Buckley), the wife of protagonist Tom Bradford (Dick Van Patten), who moved in with the Bradfords until his estranged father could be found. Macchio’s 18-Year-Old Audition With Phil HartmanThe screen test takes place in 1980, when Macchio was 18 years old (three years before the filming of “The Karate Kid”), and features the young actor talking to an off-screen ABC producer about his background, personal life, and career. During the interview, it is also revealed.
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