When it first debuted in 2018, everyone was thrilled to hear that the original Karate Kid was making a comeback in the hit Netflix show Cobra Kai. The show did not disappoint, serving nostalgia for fans of the iconic movie franchise of the 80s and pulling in a new generation into the dojo. The brainchild of writer and director Jon Hurwitz, The plot follows Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) as he tries to reopen the Cobra Kai dojo, causing him to feud with Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio). With five seasons of Cobra Kai under their (Karate)belt, plus nine Emmy nominations, the crew is all set to release part 2 of the sixth and final season on November 15. But before you give it a watch, learn who’s who in the dojo. Keep scrolling for more.
Ralph Macchio
CHARACTER PLAYED: Daniel LaRusso
BEST KNOWN FOR: The Outsiders (1981), The Karate Kid (1984), Crossroads (1986), My Cousin Vinny (1992), Hitchcock (2012) and The Deuce (2017 to 2019).
PERSONAL: Macchio has been married to his wife Phyllis since 1987, and they have three children together.
THOUGHTS ON COBRA KAI: “Sometimes, you want your second chance to sort of taste it all again and really, you know, enjoy it. I am getting that chance…The whole series is like, I don’t know what Johnny Lawrence’s life was and he doesn’t know what Daniel LaRusso’s life was, but then when they come back together, now you have this richness.”
William Zabka
CHARACTER PLAYED: Johnny Lawrence
BEST KNOWN FOR: The Karate Kid (1984), Just One of the Guys (1985), National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985), Back to School (1986), Python (2000), Hot Tub Time Machine (2010) and The Dog Who Saved Summer (2015).
PERSONAL: Zabka has been married to Stacie Lynn Doss since 2008 and they have two children.
THOUGHTS ON COBRA KAI: “After watching the first season, I was, like, ‘Okay, you guys fully nailed it. You got the balance right between the comedy and the heart and the action and the nostalgia.’ I love those guys.”
Xolo Maridueña
CHARACTER PLAYED: Miguel Diaz
BEST KNOWN FOR: Parenthood (2012 to 2015), Cleopatra in Space (2020 to 2021), Victor & Valentino (2019 to 2021) and Blue Beetle (2023).
PERSONAL: Maridueña was born in Los Angeles, California.
THOUGHTS ON COBRA KAI: “Getting to really find who this character is and live in these shoes for seven years has been one of the most comforting and warm experiences of my life. I think it has prepared me to lead with my heart first and work as hard as I can to make sure that other people will feel comfortable on set as well.”
Tanner Buchanan
CHARACTER PLAYED: Robby Keene
BEST KNOWN FOR: Jack Squared (2013), Girl Meets World (2015), The Fosters (2016), Designated Survivor (2016 to 2018), He’s All That (2021) and The Hyperions (2022).
PERSONAL: Buchanan is from Lima, Ohio.
THOUGHTS ON COBRA KAI: “Ever since we shot the first season, we knew we had something really good on our hands. We had a lot of fun doing it, we knew it was good writing, we had great action…It’s been really cool to see so many more people getting into it and loving the show. It’s been a humbling experience.”
Jacob Bertrand
CHARACTER PLAYED: Eli “Hawk” Moskowitz
BEST KNOWN FOR: Marvin Marvin (2012 to 2013), Bubble Guppies (2011 to 2016), Kirby Buckets (2014 to 2017) and Batwheels (2022 to 2024).
PERSONAL: Bertrand is currently dating his Cobra Kai costar, Peyton List.
THOUGHTS ON COBRA KAI: “It’s like we’re all on a sports team and we’ve been winning championships consecutively. We’re in a great rhythm, and I could not be more grateful. I was planning on maybe pausing acting, going to college, starting directing and then this audition came up, and the show ended up turning into something super crazy. And it’s been really, really fun.”
Peyton List
CHARACTER PLAYED: Tory Nichols
BEST KNOWN FOR: 27 Dresses (2008), Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011), Jessie (2011 to 2015), Bunk’d (2015 to 2021), Hubie Halloween (2020) and Girl Haunts Boy (2024).
PERSONAL: As mentioned above, List is dating her costar, Bertrand.
THOUGHTS ON COBRA KAI: “They are long hours and we are working with our stunts team every day. Every chance we can get, every second we can get, we are just prepping these fights and we’re stretching and working and going over the choreography. We get to work with some of the best stunt choreographers, martial artists and talented people. But, yeah, it’s definitely made me a lot stronger being a part of this show. I don’t think I’ve ever been in better shape.”
Mary Mouser
CHARACTER PLAYED: Samantha LaRusso
BEST KNOWN FOR: Son of the Mask (2005), Me, Eloise (2006 to 2007), Life Is Wild (2007 to 2008), Body of Proof (2011 to 2013) and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (2014).
PERSONAL: Mouser was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
THOUGHTS ON COBRA KAI: “I really thought, because I’m in my own personal bubble in L.A., I wouldn’t be able to tell what was happening as people watched the show. But so many have reached out to say they’re discovering it for the first time, which is so cool and exciting. My hope is that, at the very least, it distracted people and gave them something to do.”
Courtney Henggeler
CHARACTER PLAYED: Amanda LaRusso
BEST KNOWN FOR: Friends with Benefits (2011), Beach Pillows (2014), Feed (2017) and The Boys in the Boat (2023).
PERSONAL: Henggeler has been married to Ross Kohn since 2015 and they have two children together.
THOUGHTS ON COBRA KAI: “When I look at our cast, everyone is so different and unique. There’s the bad boy, the bad girl and the bad boy who is being redeemed. For the younger audience, there is everything that they need and for hardcore Karate Kid fans, you have all the nostalgia there. It’s great to see where everyone has been the last 34 years, what they’re up to and how their lives have evolved.”
Gianni DeCenzo
CHARACTER PLAYED: De,etri Alexopoulos
BEST KNOWN FOR: 37: A Final Promise (2014), Liv & Maddie (2014) and Coop and Cami Ask the World (2019 to 2020).
PERSONAL: DeCenzo is from Los Angeles, California.
THOUGHTS ON COBRA KAI: “I grew up with my dad watching the original Karate Kid, so I see how much it means to people. The fact we get to add our own little bits and pieces to this world, it’s really an honor. It’s super cool. I think it will be a nice little addition to the story for people. I wish I could spoil it, but it’s worth the wait.”
