Ralph Macchio beat all his foes from the Cobra Kai dojo on the big screen in “The Karate Kid” and now he’s ready to best his small screen competitors from the ballroom on “Dancing with the Stars.”
Following Monday night’s cast announcement for the upcoming season of the ABC reality show, Ralph stopped by Access Hollywood Live on Tuesday to chat with Billy Bush and Kit Hoover about competing for dancing glory on the hit ABC reality series.
“The timing just seemed right,” Ralph told Billy and Kit when asked why he signed on to compete. “There just seemed to be a resurgence in [the ‘The Karate Kid’] fan base, there seems to be the right fan base for the show. My wife and kids and family are like, ‘Do it, do it!’”
Does the actor have the skills to compete against fellow dancers like Kirstie Alley, Sugar Ray Leonard and supermodel Petra Nemcova? (CLICK HERE for a rundown of this year’s competitors!)
“I can move, I took some musical theater, dance when I was a kid,” he explained. “So, I’m not completely uncoordinated.”
But will Ralph be incorporating any of his legendary fighting moves from 1984’s “The Karate Kid”?
“They’ve already asked for [the crane kick!] I told them, ‘You hand me the mirrorball, I’ll give you that!’” he said with a laugh. “That’s in my back pocket. How could I throw that out in week four?”
As the interview continued, Billy and Kit were astounded to find out Ralph’s age.
“Are you gonna be turning – it can’t be true – 50?” Kit asked.
“Yes, ” the 49-year-old actor said, as Kit and Billy question how he still looked so young. “Here’s the thing, my lower back never got the memo.”
As for adopting that trademark “DWTS” glow, Ralph said he’d only tan for a special episode.
“Will I spray tan… maybe for the ‘Jersey Shore’ number,” he joked.
“Dancing with the Stars” Season 12 debuts on March 21.
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