Ralph Macchio Says Don’t Expect Shirtless ‘Dancing’ Performances: My Six-Pack is ‘On Backorder’

Ralph Macchio is heading to “Dancing with the Stars” and the 49-year-old actor says he was thrilled to learn he’d been partnered with seasoned dance pro Karina Smirnoff.

“The first person anyone mentioned to me when I said I was considering dong the show — everyone said, ‘They’ve got to put you with Karina Smirnoff. That’s the match for you,’” Ralph told Access Hollywood at his and Karina’s rehearsal in LA on Friday. “I heard that like, three or four times… I was like, that rocks!”

Ralph, who starred as the original “Karate Kid” in the 1984 big screen classic, said that even with his martial arts experience, dancing isn’t as easy as it looks.

“Just because you can keep time to the music at your cousin’s wedding doesn’t mean you can do this,” he told Access, before listing the parts of his body that were currently in pain due to muscle soreness.

“We’re in the beginning stages and I think [I’m] going to be sore through the end,” he added. “Anytime you try something new — I’m waking up areas of my body that thought they were done. It’s like, “Yo! What’s that’s about?’”

Karina was paired with “Jersey Shore” star Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino for Season 11 and the reality actor’s famous abs were on display at every turn. However, Ralph said he is a “different contestant” and will be keeping his shirts firmly buttoned.

“The six-pack I bring in is going to be like, bottles of beer,” he laughed, when asked if he plans to follow in his predecessor’s ab-baring footsteps. “I don’t have [a six-pack] — I’ve been looking, shopping… it’s on backorder! It should be coming in any day… maybe year.”

Though 27 years have passed since he rose to international fame in “Karate Kid,” Ralph has retained his boyish good looks and shows few signs of aging.

“I’m a weirdo. I’m a man-child freak!” he laughed, when asked how he manages to maintain his youthful appearance. “It’s the genes in my family — my parents look young as well.”

The former “Ugly Betty” star said he has the full support of his family as he embarks on his ballroom journey – including his two children, who are providing motivation for their father to stay in the competition, as neither of their school schedules will allow them to see their dad dance in person until Spring break.

“My kids will come on their Easter break if I’m still in [the competition],” Ralph told Access. “So, we have to stick around! We have to stay in it till at least then because my son said, ‘You better last till when I’m off of school!’”

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