Writing
The concept for the character originated in the experiences of American screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen. At the 1964 World’s Fair in New York he was bullied by a gang, an event that … See more

Seventeen-year-old Daniel LaRusso moves with his mother Lucille from Newark, New Jersey to Reseda, California after she accepts a job offer at a computer firm. Shortly after moving to California, Daniel meets and starts a rivalry with Johnny Lawrence See more

The Karate Kid (1984)
Widowed mother Lucille LaRusso uproots herself and her only child, Daniel, from New Jersey to the South Seas Apartments in Reseda, California. Daniel is invited by his neighbor, Freddy Fernandez, to a beach party, where … See more

In response to the release of the first film in 1984, critic Roger Ebert praised the friendship between Daniel and Mr. Miyagi as especially … See more

Following the success of the first film, Macchio reprised his role in The Karate Kid Part II (1986) and The Karate Kid Part III (1989). At the time of his casting, Columbia Pictures preempted the potential success of the first film with a three-film deal. Being in the … See more

Recalling the original screenplay for The Karate Kid, Macchio expressed an affinity with his role as Daniel, saying that he "felt like someone I knew". He said that he shared an "East … See more

In 1989, Daniel LaRusso appeared in The Karate Kid animated television series, voiced by Joey Dedio. The plot recounts his global adventures alongside Mr. Miyagi and a character named Taki. In June 2010, Macchio appeared in Funny or Die's online short, "Wax … See more