Celebrity Celebrity Relationships Ralph Macchio Reveals the Sweet Way He Stayed Connected to Wife of 37 Years While Filming Cobra Kai (Exclusive) The actor spoke to PEOPLE about keeping his bond with wife Phyllis Fierro strong while away for months of a time filming his hit Netflix show By Gabrielle Rockson Gabrielle Rockson Gabrielle Rockson is a staff writer-reporter for PEOPLE. She joined PEOPLE in 2023 and covers entertainment and human interest stories. She's interviewed David Beckham, Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet and many others. Her previous work can be found in OK! Magazine, MyLondon, GRM Daily, and more. People Editorial Guidelines and Alex Cramer Published on July 18, 2024 11:12AM EDT Close Ralph Macchio at a special screening of 'Cobra Kai' season 6 on July 17 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Emma McIntyre/Getty Ralph Macchio is opening up about life behind the scenes. Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the Cobra Kai season 6 premiere event on Wednesday, July 17, Macchio, 62, explained how he and his wife Phyllis Fierro handle being away from one another while he films the series. “Well, now with FaceTime and Zoom, it's helpful. Before then, there were phone calls,” Macchio, who plays Karate Kid breakout Daniel LaRusso on Cobra Kai, tells PEOPLE. “Now you can actually look at each other and have Sunday dinner on occasion.” The actor also learned the importance of actively participating in a partnership when he returns home, something he learned in season 3 after coming back from 5 months away. "I got used to the single life," he jokes. "You had to step back and say, 'Okay, I'm not the king of every room in this castle. I got to get back to the sharing.' " Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Phyllis Fierro and Ralph Macchio in May 2023 in New York City. Sean Zanni/Getty Cobra Kai's Ralph Macchio and William Zabka Reflect on Becoming Friends as Adults: 'Miyagi Has Brought Us Together' (Exclusive) Macchio has been married to Fierro since 1987 after meeting her when he was just 15 years old. The couple share two children: daughter Julia, 31 — who played Daniel LaRusso's cousin Vanessa on Cobra Kai — and son Daniel, 28. All were together with Macchio on the red carpet of the premiere Wednesday night, something he gushed about. “My family's here tonight, and it's so wonderful to have them," he says. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Ralph Macchio and wife Phyllis Fierro (center) with their kids Daniel Macchio and Julia Macchio at a 'Cobra Kai' season 6 screening on July 17 in Los Angeles, California. Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty New Cobra Kai Trailer Unearths a Mr. Miyagi Mystery and Teases the Return of Karate Kid's Original Big Bad Of course, the name Daniel has special meaning for Macchio. "My wife's cousin Daniel was her best friend growing up. And yeah, for me the name Daniel will always mean something special," he told,PEOPLE back in 2009, noting his role in the Karate Kid franchise. "My biggest accomplishment has been raising my family, he added. And the actor credits his wife for helping him keep his family and work life balanced. "Without her and without the foundation and the family we established, 'one foot in, one foot out' would have been very, very difficult on my own," Macchio said. "Because there would not be balance."