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I LOVED The Karate Kid. I loved Daniel LaRusso. And like a lot of other girls, I had a massive crush on Ralph Macchio. So when I heard he had a book coming out, I knew I had to get it. Like most memoirs that I read, I decided to listen to the audiobook. I really enjoy hearing the author telling their own story, in their own voice. That’s exactly what I did for Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me by Ralph Macchio.
What’s it about?
Waxing On is really a love story between a man and the iconic character he played. And like any other love story, there are challenges, ups and downs, and lots of fun moments.
Who should read it?
If you are a fan of the The Karate Kid series, Waxing on is a must-read. You will learn so much behind-the-scenes information that will have you rushing to go watch it again. I haven’t watched the Cobra Kai series yet, but Ralph may have convinced me to check it out. There’s plenty of the good stuff in the book for Cobra Kai fans as well.
Spoiler Alert – The Karate Kid!!!
I’m going to share info about The Karate Kid that I had no idea about. Some of this will come from the book, and some of it from research. I promise you, even if I tell you what some of these revelations, Waxing On is still a great read. Hearing him tell the stories in his own words, and voice if you listen to the audiobook, is definitely worth it.
Here we go, as part of my ongoing series…”I Can’t Believe I Didn’t Know This About…The Karate Kid”
Ralph has one HUGE regret
When he tells this story in the book, I had tears in my eyes for him. It really was a moment that he’ll never be able to get back. SPOILER! Ralph was asked to present at the Oscars and he turned down the offer. And the sad part was that he was asked to do it with his co-star Pat Morita who was up for a Best Supporting Actor award.
Ralph and Will Smith have an interesting connection
Producer Will Smith and actors Jaden Smith and Ralph Macchio attend “The Karate Kid” Los Angeles Premiere After Party at Mann Village Theatre on June 7, 2010 in Westwood, California.
They both auditioned for roles in My Cousin Vinny. Ralph got his, Will did not. Years later, when Will Smith was producing the remake of The Karate Kid starring his son Jaden, there was a misunderstanding that led to Will calling Macchio. I guess Ralph had no idea that a remake was in the works when a reporter approached him and he was caught off guard. He had said that he wasn’t interested in a remake and that led to the headlines the next day saying that he slammed the remake.
Will called to say, “I know, I’m messing with your baby,” and told him he could get involved if he wanted too. Ralph appreciated the gesture, and even got on the phone with Jaden to wish him luck and tell him to have fun. Ralph later said that he felt that the remake did justice and “only enhanced the legacy of the original movie.”
No one believed how old Macchio was
Portrait of ‘The Karate Kid’ actor Ralph Macchio, September 4th 1984. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
When cast as Daniel LaRusso, Macchio was 22-years-old playing a teenager. The reality was, the only real teenager in the main cast was William Zabka (Johnny) who was the youngest at 18. Elizabeth Shue (Ali) was 20 at the time.
I get it though because I still can’t get over the fact that Macchio is 60-years-old.
The Karate Kid is based on the life of the screenwriter
HOLLYWOOD, CA – JULY 21: (L-R) Ron Thomas, Tony O’Dell, William Zabka, Martin Kove, Bud Smith, Randee Heller and Robert Mark Kamen attend The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences’ Oscars Outdoors Screening Of “Karate Kid” on July 21, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)
From IMDB
“The story and movie is based on the life of its screenwriter, Robert Mark Kamen. At age 17, after the 1964 New York World’s Fair, Kamen was beaten up by a gang of bullies. He thus began to study martial arts in order to defend himself. Kamen was unhappy with his first teacher who taught martial arts as a tool for violence and revenge. So he moved on to study Okinawan Goju-ryu karate under a Japanese teacher who did not speak English but had been a student of Chojun Miyagi.“
Ralph has a son named, wait for it...Daniel!
Can you believe it? Yeah there may have been a little Karate Kid influence in the name, but there were other reasons as well. He says that his wife Phyllis’ best friend growing up was her cousin Daniel, so she felt close to the name. And also, it was a classic biblical name that he loved.
Ralph spoke at Pat Morita's memorial service
LAS VEGAS – NOVEMBER 30: Actor Ralph Macchio speaks during a memorial service for Pat Morita, his co-star in the movie “The Karate Kid”, at the Palm Mortuary & Memorial Park November 30, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Morita, nominated for an Academy Award for his role in the movie, died Thursday at age 73. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Macchio actual spoke at two different memorial services for Pat Morita. At first he felt that it may be more appropriate for someone else to deliver the eulogy, like Morita’s brother, but in the end decided to do it.
