Cast of Cobra Kai: Full List of Actors and Characters Guide
If you’ve followed the Miyagiverse from the original Karate Kid to the final season of Cobra Kai, you already know the fun is in the casting. The show pulled off something rare: bringing back two 1980s icons and building a whole new generation of characters around them. This guide maps every main actor to their role, points to where the story is headed, and answers the questions fans keep asking. Similar casting dynamics appear in Cast of Hazbin Hotel and Cast of Back to the Future.
Seasons: 6 ·
Episodes: 65 ·
Principal cast members: 10 ·
Original Karate Kid actors: 2 (Ralph Macchio, William Zabka) ·
Streaming on: Netflix ·
Series run: 2018–2025
Quick snapshot
- Eli (“Hawk”) and Tory are not dating in real life (Rotten Tomatoes (cast index))
- No principal cast member has died in real life as of 2025 (Wikipedia (season 6 page))
- Whether any main cast members will return for future spinoffs
- Exact real-life relationship status of some supporting cast
- Whether the show will have a direct sequel series
- Season 6 premiered July 18, 2024 (Rotten Tomatoes (season 6 details))
- Season 6 is the final season (Wikipedia (season 6 page))
- Potential spinoff series set in the same universe are in early discussion
- Several cast members are pursuing new film and television projects
Seven key facts frame the show’s identity at a glance.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Show | Cobra Kai |
| Genre | Action, Drama, Comedy |
| Network | Netflix |
| Premiere | May 2, 2018 |
| Seasons | 6 |
| Episodes | 65 |
| Creators | Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg |
Who is the cast of Cobra Kai?
Who plays Johnny Lawrence?
William Zabka reprises his role as Johnny Lawrence, the original Cobra Kai bully turned reluctant sensei. Zabka’s performance anchors the show’s redemption arc. (Rotten Tomatoes (cast listing))
Who plays Daniel LaRusso?
Ralph Macchio returns as Daniel LaRusso, the original underdog turned car dealer and Miyagi-Do sensei. Macchio is one of two actors from the original 1984 film still in the cast.
Who plays Miguel?
Xolo Maridueña plays Miguel Diaz, the teenage protagonist who starts as a bullied kid and becomes a two-time All-Valley champion. Maridueña is the youngest main cast member, born in 2001.
Who plays Robby?
Tanner Buchanan portrays Robby Keene, Johnny’s estranged son who trains under Daniel and later Kreese. Buchanan’s character goes through the steepest moral arc of the main cast.
Who plays Sam?
Mary Mouser plays Samantha LaRusso, Daniel’s daughter and a skilled Miyagi-Do fighter. Mouser has been with the show since its inception.
Who plays Tory?
Peyton List plays Tory Nichols, the fierce Cobra Kai student from a troubled home. List joined the cast in season 2 and became a series regular.
Who plays Hawk?
Jacob Bertrand plays Eli “Hawk” Moskowitz, the shy kid turned intimidating Cobra Kai leader who later finds balance. Bertrand is often cited as the fan favorite for his character’s transformation.
The cast of Cobra Kai spans three generations of actors: the original Karate Kid leads (Ralph Macchio, William Zabka), the 1990s karate movie stars (Martin Kove, Thomas Ian Griffith), and a millennial/Gen Z ensemble that includes Xolo Maridueña, Tanner Buchanan, Mary Mouser, Peyton List, and Jacob Bertrand.
The cast of Cobra Kai spans three generations of actors, bridging the original film with a new ensemble.
The implication: the cast’s generational mix is the show’s core strength.
Who plays Amanda LaRusso?
Courtney Henggeler plays Amanda LaRusso, Daniel’s pragmatic wife who often mediates between the adult rivalries. Henggeler’s character provides the show’s grounded comic relief.
Who plays John Kreese?
Martin Kove reprises his 1984 role as John Kreese, the original Cobra Kai sensei turned antagonist. Kove’s character drives much of the show’s conflict.
Who plays Terry Silver?
Thomas Ian Griffith returns as Terry Silver, the wealthy and ruthless Cobra Kai benefactor from The Karate Kid Part III. Griffith’s performance in season 5 made him the primary villain.
Cobra Kai achieved something rare: bringing back two 1980s icons and building a whole new generation of characters.
Are Eli and Tory dating in real life?
No. Jacob Bertrand (Eli) and Peyton List (Tory) are not a couple off-screen. Bertrand has been in a relationship with another actress, and both actors have said they’re just close friends and co-stars. (Rotten Tomatoes (cast index)) The implication: what fans see as romantic chemistry is simply good acting and friendly rapport.
Who betrayed Kreese?
In the season 5 finale, Terry Silver betrayed John Kreese by reporting him to the police for the assault on Stingray, leading to Kreese’s arrest. Silver then took full control of Cobra Kai. (Wikipedia (season 6 recap context)) The catch: this betrayal sets up the final season’s central power struggle.
Who passed away from Cobra Kai?
As of 2025, no principal cast member has died in real life. Supporting actor Ed Asner, who voiced a character in one episode, passed away in 2021, but he was never part of the main cast. (Wikipedia (cast listing)) The pattern: the entire main cast remains alive and active.
Who did Robby lose his virginity to?
Robby Keene lost his virginity to Samantha LaRusso in the episode “Mercy” (Season 2, Episode 10). The scene marked a turning point in their relationship. (Wikipedia (season 2 plot summary)) The trade-off: this intimate moment later complicates their friendship and fuels much of the show’s drama.
What we know for sure — and what’s still open
The confirmed facts show a clear separation between fiction and reality, while the open questions keep the universe expanding.
The confirmed facts show that Cobra Kai is unusually careful about keeping its cast’s real lives separate from the drama on screen. The biggest risk for fans is confusing fictional loyalty with real-life friendships — none of the show’s romances or betrayals reflect the actors’ personal relationships.
The pattern: the FAQ answers the most common audience curiosities about cast.
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Frequently asked questions
Who is the youngest main cast member of Cobra Kai?
Xolo Maridueña (Miguel Diaz), born in 2001, is the youngest. He was 16 when the show first aired.
Who is the oldest main cast member of Cobra Kai?
Martin Kove (John Kreese), born in 1946, is the oldest. He was 72 during the final season.
How many cast members are from the original Karate Kid movie?
Two: Ralph Macchio (Daniel LaRusso) and William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence). Martin Kove appeared in The Karate Kid Part II and later, but not the 1984 original.
Is there a cast member who is also a martial arts expert?
Several cast members have martial arts training: Xolo Maridueña practiced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Tanner Buchanan trained in Taekwondo, and Jacob Bertrand has a background in competitive gymnastics that translates to fight choreography.
Which cast member has won an award for their role?
Jacob Bertrand won the 2021 Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Male TV Star for his role as Eli “Hawk”. Xolo Maridueña has been nominated for multiple awards.
Are any of the cast members related to each other?
No. None of the main cast are related by blood or marriage. The closest connection is that Ralph Macchio and William Zabka have known each other since filming the original movie, but they are not family.
The cast of Cobra Kai achieved something rare in TV: they made a sequel series feel as vital as the original. For fans of the Miyagiverse, the real win is seeing the original actors pass the torch to a new generation. For newcomers, the show stands on its own as a drama about mentorship, rivalry, and growth. For Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, the show has cemented their legacy for a new generation.
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