10 Movie Actors Who Can't Escape Their Most Iconic Role

3. Ralph Macchio - Daniel La Russo (The Karate Kid)

This was the film that effectively gave Ralph Macchio's career the much-required "Crane Kick" it needed in 1984, transforming him into an overnight teen heartthrob. His character, Daniel La Russo, was the archetypal American high school underdog that everyone could root for and his journey from meek outsider to unlikely karate champion and conquerer of the villainous Cobra Kai is a story that modern audiences continue to identify with (whilst wiping a sneaky tear from their eye). Regrettably for Macchio it would prove to be the peak point of a career with only mild successes. Aside from cameo roles as himself, he's been pretty much absent from cinema screens in decades since.