Teen Idol Ralph Macchio & Wife Were 'Meant to Be Together' after Meeting in His Grandma's Basement as Teens

A few years after meeting his wife, Phyllis Fierro, at a party when he was 15, Ralph Macchio tied the knot with the woman, and the pair are still waxing stronger. Here is what the actor had to say about the secret to their marital success.

American Actor and Producer Ralph Macchio is best known for his talent, top-notch performances, and age-defying looks.

The icon first gained recognition in 1984, following his role as Daniel LaRusso in "The Karate Kid." Due to his teenage role, Macchio garnered a lot of young fans and eventually became a teenage idol.

While Macchio acted like a teenager, in reality, he was 22 years old when "The Karate Kid" premiered. It was a surprise to many as the actor's age-defying looks said otherwise.

Nevertheless, Macchio's appearance was a plus to him, as it helped him maintain his teenage idol image for a very long time.

Although Macchio is a renowned actor, his first attempt at entertainment was not acting but tap dancing.

The actor began tap dancing at three years old and continued taking lessons for more than a decade. Then, in 1978, he was making an Eddie Cantor impression at a local dance recital when an agent spotted him.

The agent sent Macchio for commercial auditions, marking the beginning of the actor's success story.

Six years later, he landed the role in "The Karate Kid" and became one of the most famous movie stars of his time.

During an old interview, Macchio opened up about his fame at such a young age. The actor revealed that he tried not to think much about it, as it could be overwhelming.

For Macchio, what was most important was working, and even though the reward was "wonderful," he preferred not to ponder much about it. The years following would be filled with much success for the actor in his career and personal life.

Not only would he bag more roles, but Macchio would also tie the knot with his wife of more than three decades and Nurse Practitioner Phyllis Fierro. Here are more details about the Hollywood star's personal life and long-lasting marriage.

THE COUPLE'S LOVE STORY

Macchio and Fierro first met at the former's cousin's sweet sixteen birthday party in his grandmother's basement. For the actor, who was only 15 at the time, it was love at first sight.

The pair clicked immediately and spent their time smiling, dancing, and with each other at the party. A few years later, on April 5, 1987, the couple walked down the aisle and are inseparable to date.

Macchio and Fierro have now been married for 35 years, and the actor could not feel more blessed to have Fierro by his side.

Time and again, Macchio has been candid about his wife and how she has helped him with what he calls the "one foot in, one foot out" approach to Hollywood. In his words:

"Without her and without the foundation and the family we established, 'one foot in, one foot out would have been very, very difficult on my own. Because there would not be balance."

Thankfully, Macchio is not the only beneficiary of his wife's incredible deeds. Patients of COVID 19 and their families also witnessed Fierro's impact, as she was on the front lines as a nurse practitioner during the pandemic.

The actor could not be prouder of his wife's strength, and during a chat session on "The Drew Barrymore Show," Macchio described Fierro as one of the "heroes" of the family.

In addition to singing his wife's praises multiple times, Macchio has also revealed the secret of his long last marriage.

According to the actor, "commitment" has played a significant role in keeping him and Fierro together. The actor confessed to People:

"It's the belief through the easy times, through the tough times, whatever we encounter, that we are meant to be together. We know we will overcome all because we believe in that, the foundation of that."

INSIDE MACCHIO'S LITTLE FAMILY AND HIS LIFE AS A FATHER

Like other actors, Macchio has quite a busy schedule. However, the producer still makes time for his family.

For example, in 2021, the actor was a guest on the "Live Kelly And Ryan" show, and he spoke about how he spent the New Year's Holiday with his family.

The "Cobra Kai" star made it known that although it was quiet, it was a great holiday with good food and wine. More than anything, Macchio cherishes family time as much as he does parenting.

Over the years, the producer has been open about fatherhood, including parenting challenges. He once revealed:

"You're skinning your knees like it's the second day of first grade. 'Failing' is probably the wrong word, but you are learning all the time through the journey."

He added: "Everything I do now, more often than 10, 15 years ago, I'm thinking of it for the sake of my children as they're getting older. They're adults, but they're always your kids."

Macchio is a doting father to two children — Daniel and Julia — whom he shares with his wife. Named after his father's character in "The Karate Kid," Daniel was born in 1996.

He is a composer and actor, best known for appearing in "That Was Then," "From The Heart Of The Crowd," and "The Wrecks."

Daniel's older sister, Julia, was born in 1992, and like her father, she is pursuing a career in the movie industry.

One of her movie credits includes "Cobra Kai," a sequel to "The Karate Kid," launched in 2018.

Julia featured in season four, episode eight, as Vanessa LaRusso, the cousin of Daniel LaRusso, who purchased a six-bedroom mansion in Encino, California, after becoming a car dealership owner.

The young woman shared a screen with her father for the first time, and Macchio could not be prouder. The actor noted:

"I was the proud father on set that day. As soon as she ran our first take, everybody was like 'Holy Crap, she's got this character."

In addition to his kids, Macchio also has a rescue dog named Oliver. The actor adopted the pet from a shelter a few years after his family's Shih Tzu passed away, and to date, they are inseparable.