Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me

Ralph Macchio

Oct 2022 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

An instant New York Times Bestseller! 

Since The Karate Kid first crane-kicked its way into the pop culture stratosphere in June 1984, there hasn’t been a week Ralph Macchio hasn’t heard friendly shouts of “Wax on, wax off” or “Sweep the leg!” Now, with Macchio reprising his role as Daniel LaRusso in the #1 ranked Netflix show Cobra Kai, he is finally ready to look back and cele-brate the legacy of The Karate Kid in cinema, pop culture, and his own life.

The result, Waxing On, is a comprehensive look at the film that shaped Macchio as much as it influenced the world. He shares an insider’s perspective of the untold story behind the scenes—the innocence of the early days; the audition process; his experiences working with Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue, and William Zabka; and so much more. He also takes readers through the birth of some of the film’s most iconic moments, including the creation of the famous crane kick and the touching scenes that revealed Mr. Miyagi’s intriguing backstory.

Ultimately, the book centers on Ralph’s indelible connection to the film itself, focusing on the reason that the characters and themes have endured in such a powerful way, and how these personal experiences have impacted Macchio’s life as well. It brings readers back to the day they met Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi for the first time, but also provides a fascinating lens into how our pasts shape all of us, and how they can come back to enrich our lives in surprising and wonderful ways.

Ratings and reviews

this was the best book never now again I'm gonna read it again . Ralph macchio the was amazing, i always Wanna be any movie acción i love Rocky Balboa. i used to have a boyfriend back in the day he look like you i move to the us in reading Pensilvania i was 5 years old the was in 2010 i think in 2013 i was in YMCA I MET MY FRIEND WHEN I LOOKING I SAID YOU LOOK LIKE FROM THE KARATE KID OF RALPH MACCHIO & HE SAID I LOOK LIKE HIM ME YES Me and him always had a secret at the ymca and we almost kissed and he said to me this looks like he was and he said to me this looks like The Karate Kid me yes . i hope one day i can see HIM one day . I'm from perico rico it could be better if he will visit Puerto Rico one day I'm 19 years old . from your truly :. Eliangie valle

Very well written by Ralph himself. I bought the physical signed book, but purchased a digital copy since I don't want to damage the signed copy.

I love this man

About the author

An actor, producer, director with an extensive list of credits, Ralph Macchio is best known for his celebrated performance as Johnny in Frances Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders; the hit film My Cousin Vinny; and most notably for the title role in the popular classic The Karate Kid and its successors. Expanding further on the Karate Kid Universe, Ralph continues to reprise his iconic role of Daniel LaRusso in the hit Netflix series Cobra Kai. He lives on Long Island with his family.