Ralph Macchio

One of the leading heartthrobs of early 1980s-era Hollywood, Ralph Macchio was a contemporary Sal Mineo, faring best by playing New York street kids wavering between going bad or succeeding in life. He first gained stardom as the doomed Johnny Cade in the must-see teen classic, "The Outsiders" (1983) before reaching superstardom as the bullied but ultimately triumphant Daniel LaRussa in "The Karate Kid" (1984) and its two sequels. But like Michael J. Fox, he was hampered by a boyish look that belied his age, causing a career stall by the 1990s. Despite successes like "My Cousin Vinny" (1992), the former leading man-turned-supporting actor bowed out of Hollywood, choosing to raise his family far from the spotlight. So beloved was the actor, however, that whenever Macchio did return to the screen - sometimes in cameo roles as himself on shows like "Entourage" (HBO, 2004-11) - it was always cause for celebration, as Macchio's fan base remained devoted for well over two decades.