Where The Karate Kid is Now

All of which is to say that, as a beloved character who is part of your childhood, I lead an unusual existence. I represent a time stamp in people's lives. I

The Daniel LaRusso-Johnny Lawrence fight is one of the iconic scenes in the 1984 classic The Karate Kid / Getty Images

All of which is to say that, as a beloved character who is part of your childhood, I lead an unusual existence. I represent a time stamp in people's lives. I have played a character that was a part of your childhood. You most likely remember where you were when you first saw The Karate Kid. You remember the theater you sat in and who you went with. I suppose this type of nostalgia is similar to definitive and iconic sports moments that have left lasting impressions on my life. Where was I when the U.S. hockey team beat Russia in the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid? Who was I with when Mookie Wilson chopped the ball down the first base line and redefined how we remember Bill Buckner? Or what about when a young Joe Montana launched his legacy with a tight spiral to Dwight Clark in the back of the end zone? (My answers: at home with my family, at Shea Stadium with my soon-to-be wife -- yes, I was at Game 6! -- and in my friend's den.)

It's hard to believe that Ralph Macchio is now in his 50s; he certainly doesn't look it :: Erick W. Rasco/SI

At least I'm not the "agony of defeat" persona. Seriously, I wonder how Zabka deals.