Ralph Macchio Collaborates with Coldplay for ‘The Karate Kid’ Song Video in Australia

Ralph Macchio, the actor renowned for his role as Daniel LaRusso in «The Karate Kid» series, recently found himself on stage in Australia with the well-known band Coldplay. This surprising development unfolded after Chris Martin, Coldplay’s frontman, reached out to Macchio with a creative proposal following Macchio’s promotion of their new song «Karate,» which draws inspiration from his iconic role.

The sudden collaboration caught Macchio’s attention when Coldplay released «Karate» in October. Macchio, after hearing the track, shared it on social media, which in turn led to Martin inviting him to join them in Australia. Martin concocted a plan to have Macchio participate in the music video and even perform live with the band on stage during their concerts, an experience Macchio describes as a «whirlwind.»

In an interview, Macchio expressed his amazement at the enduring impact that «The Karate Kid» continues to have on audiences. «It blew my mind that he wrote the song, just from the film, which meant so much to him,» Macchio said about Martin’s creative process. He noted that even 41 years after its release, the film still carries significant emotional weight.

In addition to his collaboration with Coldplay, Macchio is preparing for the conclusion of «Cobra Kai,» the successful Netflix series that serves as a continuation of «The Karate Kid» saga. The final segments of new episodes are expected later this month. Coinciding with this, Macchio is also poised to receive his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, situated near that of his late co-star, Pat Morita, who played Mr. Miyagi.

Reflecting on his career journey from Long Island to Hollywood, Macchio spoke fondly of his early experiences and dreams, including his visit to the Walk of Fame as a teen. «I remember I would walk on Hollywood Boulevard looking for Gene Kelly’s star,» he recalled, tying his formative aspirations to the trajectory of his Hollywood journey.

After his breakout roles in «The Outsiders» and «The Karate Kid,» Macchio’s career spanned various appearances and roles, including the cult classic «My Cousin Vinny.» Although he faced career challenges, he found reassurance in his family life during less busy years, motivating him to continue development in both acting and memoir writing, with his recent work «Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me.»

As he approaches the end of «Cobra Kai,» Macchio remains open to future projects, including potential involvement in «The Karate Kid: Legends» alongside Jackie Chan. The actor is enthusiastic about further exploring stories within the «Karate Kid» universe while also considering directorial ambitions.