Ralph Macchio was “The Karate Kid.” He came to Tulsa with all of those other 1980s stars and filmed “The Outsiders,” playing Johnny Cade and uttering the film’s most quoted line of dialogue: “Stay gold, Ponyboy.”
But where is he now?
We can’t speak for this very moment, but we can tell you where Macchio will be this weekend: He’ll be at Tulsa’s inaugural Wizard World Comic Con, signing autographs and taking photos with fans and answering their “Outsiders” questions and more during a Saturday session.
Among the questions you can ask: “What are you doing now?” The ’80s were good to Macchio. There were “Karate Kid” sequels. “My Cousin Vinny” gave him some ’90s face-time.
People are also reading…
But since then? Outside of an 11-episode run on “Ugly Betty” and playing himself on multiple programs, including “Entourage” and “How I Met Your Mother,” the past 20 years has seen less acting for the man who turns 53 this week.
He did make an appearance with Oprah Winfrey this year — on her “Oprah: Where are They Now?” series.
We don’t wonder where Tom Cruise is: He’s still one of the biggest worldwide movie stars. Or Patrick Swayze, may he rest in peace.
We’ve seen plenty of Rob Lowe (a TV staple for the past 15 years between “Parks and Recreation,” “The West Wing” and “Brothers and Sisters”), and Diane Lane has been one of the busiest actors in Hollywood (“Unfaithful,” “Under the Tuscan Sun,” “Must Love Dogs”).
But there are some other stars of the movie based on Tulsa author S.E. Hinton’s book “The Outsiders” who, like Macchio, we wonder as to their whereabouts.
Those attending Wizard World this weekend can ask Macchio about a couple of these guys — maybe he’ll know where they are now.
C. THOMAS HOWELL
Age: 47
In “The Outsiders,” he was: Ponyboy Curtis, starring in only his second film (his first: “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial”)
Where is he now? The ’80s saw Howell star in “Tank,” “Red Dawn” and “The Hitcher,” but starring roles started drying up by the ’90s. He never stopped acting, in independent films and on TV especially, even moving into directing. His recent acting has included 27 episodes of “Southland,” story arcs on “Criminal Minds” and the current “Grimm” series. The answer to “Where is he now?” is, well, that he’s everywhere; the Internet Movie Database lists Howell as having 14 different acting credits for 2014 alone.
EMILIO ESTEVEZ
Age: 52
In “The Outsiders,” he was: Two-Bit Matthews, the stocky, wise-cracking 18-year-old.
Where is he now? He was one of the original “Brat Pack” members and appeared in three films based on S.E. Hinton novels (also “Tex” and “That Was Then ... This is Now”) in the 1980s. That decade saw him in “The Breakfast Club,” “Stakeout” and “Young Guns.” After he made three “Mighty Ducks” movies in the 1990s and challenging roles dwindled, Estevez concentrated on the second phase of his career: He wrote and directed 2006’s “Bobby” (about the Robert F. Kennedy assassination) and 2010’s “The Way” (starring his father, Martin Sheen).
MATT DILLON
Age: 50
In “The Outsiders,” he was: Dallas Winston, or “Dally,” the greaser who’s always up for a fight
Where is he now? Dillon’s career took off in the 1980s, but he was a star throughout the ’90s (“Singles,” “There’s Something About Mary” and “Wild Things”), and in 2005 he earned an Academy Award nomination (best supporting actor in “Crash”). It’s only been since 2010 that his films have gone from studio pictures to more of an indie movie variety, but he’s constantly working.
