Old ‘Kid’ to new: ‘Be good to it’

June 20, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

McClatchy Newspapers

The remake of “The Karate Kid,” released last week, is bringing up the usual question about the star of the 1984 original: What is Ralph Macchio doing now?

The Huntington, N.Y.-born actor is busier than you might think. Macchio, 48, is starring with Jeremy Sisto and Devon Aoki in the offbeat vampire comedy “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead,” playing in Manhattan.

He also is slated to appear in a “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” episode next month.

Even more surprising: He recently released a self-mocking video for the website Funny or Die.

Macchio spoke to Newsday about his new projects, his enduring fame as Daniel-san and his Long Island roots.

Q. Tell me about your new film.

A. It wasn’t the kind of thing that would have been offered to me on a big studio scale. That’s the fun thing about indie movies — if you’re not on the A-list, these kinds of movies give you a chance to do some fun stuff. It’s got Shakespeare, the Holy Grail, a vampire legacy ... a little bit Mel Brooks, maybe, and a fairly sophisticated love story. We always joke that it’s “Buffy” meets “Manhattan.”

Q. You’re so identified with “The Karate Kid” that one of the remake’s producers, Will Smith, called you to talk about it. What did he say?

A. Just to make sure I was cool with it. He was looking for my blessing. He’s a great guy, one of the nicest I’ve met. It was very much an altruistic, friendly call, but also a political call.

And I spoke to Jaden on the phone and wished them well and said, “Be good to it.” And that was it.

Q. You still live on Long Island. No Hollywood for you?

A. No, but I’m out there all the time.

Home base and roots are important to me.

My parents are still alive and well, my wife’s parents are still alive and well. We’re all within 45 minutes of each other, and it’s important to me that my kids grow up around family.

I just shot a video for Funny or Die — it was in L.A., which is funny, because I’m so non-Hollywood.

And that’s part of the fun of it. I take shots at myself, my legacy, my nice-guy persona, my young looks, everything, no holds barred.

It’s got the greatest title ever — but I don’t want to say too much.