Here’s a quick guide to The Karate Kid cast and the characters they play. Classic sports drama The Karate Kid was brought to the big screen in 1984 by Rocky director John G. Avildsen. Like Rocky, it’s a tale of an underdog triumphing over adversity and – like the Sylvester Stallone-fronted boxing drama – it was a big box office hit that spawned a successful, ongoing franchise.
The Karate Kid follows a teenager who moves from New Jersey to suburban Los Angeles and learns the art of karate from his apartment block’s eccentric handyman after he finds himself the target of bullies at his new high school. A sequel set in Japan was released in 1986 and a third film came out in 1989, which was followed by a revamp sequel in 1994 titled The Next Karate Kid that starred future Oscar winner Hilary Swank.
The Karate Kid franchise continues today. In 2010, the original movie got a remake directed by Dutch-Norwegian filmmaker Harald Zwart (The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones) and starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan. More recently, the movie got a spin-off web series on YouTube Premium called Cobra Kai that picks up thirty years after the first film and features Ralph Macchio and William Zabka reprise their original roles. Cobra Kai has been renewed for a third season set to arrive sometime in 2020, so ahead of its premiere let’s look back at the cast and characters of the original 1984 The Karate Kid.
Ralph Macchio – Daniel LaRusso
The Deuce star Ralph Macchio plays protagonist Daniel LaRusso – a New Jersey teen who moves to California and takes up karate to fend off bullies at his new school with the help of neighbor Mr. Miyagi. Actors including Robert Downey Jr, Nicolas Cage, and Charlie Sheen were also considered for the role.
Pat Morita – Mr. Miyagi
Pat Morita played Mr. Miyagi, a Japanese immigrant who lives and works as a handyman in Daniel’s apartment building and teaches him karate. Morita received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in recognition of his performance, which he reprised for the next three entries.
Elisabeth Shue – Ali Mills
Ali Mills is a popular cheerleader at Daniel’s new school who he starts dating, much to the anger of her ex-boyfriend. She’s played by Elisabeth Shue who would go on to star in the Back To The Future sequels as Marty McFly’s girlfriend Jennifer.
William Zabka – Johnny Lawrence
William Zabka made his film debut in The Karate Kid as Johnny Lawrence, Ali’s ex-boyfriend and a black belt in karate who bullies Daniel. Alongside Macchio, Zabka reprised his role in the spin-off web series Cobra Kai.
Martin Kove – John Kreese
Rounding out the main cast of The Karate Kid is Martin Kove as John Kreese – a merciless Vietnam War vet who owns Cobra Kai, the dojo that Johnny trains at. Like Macchio and Zabka, Kove also returned for web series Cobra Kai.