Karate Kid 2 30th anniversary: Then and now

REST IN PEACE

The Karate Kid, Part II will be celebrating its 30 year anniversary on June 20! The Godfather, Part II was greater than 1 (and a cell phone vid that inadvertently recorded inside a back pocket was better than 3). The Dark Knight was the best Batman. Same with Mad Max II, Terminator II, Spider Man 2, and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.

Second time’s a charm.

Thus it was with The Karate Kid franchise.

First of all, Rest in Peace Pat Morita who played Mr. Miyagi (1932-2005), Nobu McCarthy who played Miyagi-sama’s loving childhood girlfriend Yukie (1934-2002), Charlie Tanimoto who played Miyagi’s father (1905-1988), and Danny Kamekona who played the tragic anti-hero Sato (1935-1996).

The star of the series, Ralph Macchio (Daniel LaRusso) has stayed busy over the years. He followed up up the Karate Kid character in a large number of roles, most notably as Eugene Martone in Crossroads, Bill Gambini in My Cousin Vinny, and Johnny Cade in The Outsiders. He also had a recurring role as Jeremy Andretti in the fifth season of the television comedy-drama Eight Is Enough, and appeared on the television comedy Ugly Betty in the recurring role of Archie.

Macchio has also appeared several times as himself, including in No More Kings’ “Sweep the Leg” music video in 2007.

THE BAD GUYS

Martin Kove (John Kreese)

Kreese was declared the 21st bad guy of all time, right behind Chong Li (Bloodsport) at #20, and Krang (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) at #19. He has appeared on stage or screen every year since Karate Kid 2, and is still looking baaaaad.

Yuji Okumoto (Chozen)

Okumoto has worked steady since, with roles in Pearl Harbor, The Game, and even Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.

Joey Miyashima (Yoshi)

Miyashima has moved on from being Yoshi’s side bad guy to larger roles, including Principal Matsui in High School Musical and High School Musical 3: Senior Year.

THE GOOD GIRLS, AND GUY

Tamlyn Tomita (Kumiko)

Japanese-born American made her screen debut in The Karate Kid, Part II, and has worked steadily since, with leading and supporting roles The Joy Luck Club (1993), Touch (1997), The Day After Tomorrow (2004), and she’s a regular in Teen Wolf.

Traci Toguchi (The Bell Ringing Girl)

Toguchi made her film debut at 12 as the little girl Daniel-San saves with the help of Sato. She has led a remarkable life since, as a recording Artist/Songwriter/Publisher, Miss Saigon Broadway tour cast member, actor in TV and films including Lost, and Hawaii 5-0, and she was Miss Hawai’i 1995.

Pat Johnson (The Ref)

Johnson is one of the most influential American martial artists of his generation. He started Tang Soo Do in Korean in 1973, runs a major martial arts organization. He has appeared in a number of films including Enter the Drago (mustachioed cop who harasses John Saxon), and of course the Karate Kid series. He has made great impact as a stunt coordinator and fight choreographer on a large number of films including The Karate Kid series, Mortal Kombat, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Batman and Robin.