As with so many relationships in life, Ralph Macchio and William Zabka did fall out of touch for a time. In a joint interview with Esquire from Dec. 29, 2020, Zabka explained what happened after The Karate Kid: "After the film, we were young, we went our different ways. We bumped into each other at a screening here and there." Macchio also spoke about the natural distance that grew between them, adding, "After the movie, there was a long chunk of time. We connected through a little bit of work and a little bit of fandom."

So what brought the two stars together? Tragically, it was the funeral of Pat Morina, who played Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid, that gave Zabka and Macchio the real push to get close again. Zabka explained, "...I remember it being Pat's funeral where we reconnected."

Season 3 of Cobra Kai hit Netflix on Jan. 1, 2021 and the two actors spoke to TV Insider on Dec. 31, 2020 about their onscreen personas, Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso, and how even their fictionalized relationship has evolved. Zabka said of Johnny and Daniel: "I think at their core, maybe they're more alike than different." But he added, "[Y]ou also enjoy watching them at each other's throats." Hey, he's not wrong!

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