Whenthe coming-of-age martial arts dramaKarate Kidpremiered in 1984, it inspired a phenomenon of kids to embrace karate when facing their fears.Since then, several stars of the film franchise — which included the sequelsThe Karate Kid Part II(1986),The Karate Kid Part III(1989) andThe Next Karate Kid(1994) — have brought their kicks and senseis toCobra Kai.Set 30-plus years after the original film,YouTube Premiumreleased the first season ofCobra Kaion May 2, 2018, and the second on April 24, 2019.Netflixlater acquired the revival series, launching the first two seasons on Aug. 28, 2020.In January 2023, creators and showrunners Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg announced onTwitterthatCobra Kaiwouldend after season 6— though the trioteased possible spinoffs.““Our Day 1 goal withCobra Kaihas always been to end it on our terms, leaving the Valley in the time and place we’ve always imagined,” they wrote in a statement at the time. “While this may be a bittersweet day for the fandom, the Miyagiverse has never been stronger. This fandom is the BEST on the planet and we hope to be telling more Karate Kid stories with you down the line. Because as we all know: Cobra Kai Never Dies.“FromRalph MacchiotoWilliam Zabka, here’s every cast member who hasreprised theirKarate KidroleonCobra Kai.
Whenthe coming-of-age martial arts dramaKarate Kidpremiered in 1984, it inspired a phenomenon of kids to embrace karate when facing their fears.
Since then, several stars of the film franchise — which included the sequelsThe Karate Kid Part II(1986),The Karate Kid Part III(1989) andThe Next Karate Kid(1994) — have brought their kicks and senseis toCobra Kai.Set 30-plus years after the original film,YouTube Premiumreleased the first season ofCobra Kaion May 2, 2018, and the second on April 24, 2019.Netflixlater acquired the revival series, launching the first two seasons on Aug. 28, 2020.
In January 2023, creators and showrunners Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg announced onTwitterthatCobra Kaiwouldend after season 6— though the trioteased possible spinoffs.”
“Our Day 1 goal withCobra Kaihas always been to end it on our terms, leaving the Valley in the time and place we’ve always imagined,” they wrote in a statement at the time. “While this may be a bittersweet day for the fandom, the Miyagiverse has never been stronger. This fandom is the BEST on the planet and we hope to be telling more Karate Kid stories with you down the line. Because as we all know: Cobra Kai Never Dies.”
FromRalph MacchiotoWilliam Zabka, here’s every cast member who hasreprised theirKarate KidroleonCobra Kai.
01of 09
Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso
shutterstock, netflix
Macchio made his return as Daniel LaRusso onCobra Kai.
On the series, everything seems to be going well for Daniel: He’s married and owns a successful chain of car dealerships, LaRusso Auto Group — but all is not as it seems.
Daniel’s karate rivalry with longtime opponent Johnny Lawrence is reignited 35 years after the firstKarate Kidmovie. In 2021, Macchio earned an Emmy nomination for outstanding comedy series as one of the show’s executive producers.
Macchio opened up to PEOPLE onhow different generations of fans have reactedto theKarate KiduniversethroughCobra Kai.
“Kids see the show and then tell their parents, ‘Hey, you should check this out. It’s really cool.’ " he told PEOPLE in January 2021. “To go through the ebbs and flows of popularity for 36-plus years and now be in a place where parents, kids and even grandparents are sharing the same excitement is really special.”
Since the originalKarate Kidfilms, Macchio has appeared in several movies, includingMy Cousin Vinny(1992),Beer League(2006), Hitchcock(2012) andA Dog and Pony Show(2018). He also landed several recurring small-screen roles onUgly Betty,Psych,Kevin Can WaitandThe Deuce.
Macchio competed on season 12 ofDancing with the Starsin 2011 and released his memoir,Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me, in 2022.
02of 09William Zabka as Johnny Lawrenceshutterstock; netflixZabka reprises his role as Johnny Lawrence onCobra Kai.In theKarate Kidfilms, Johnny is the problematic rich kid who bullies Daniel. Due to seriously intense training, he’s the top student at the Cobra Kai Dojo.Johnny is infamously known for his illegal move when he is told to “sweep the leg” of Daniel during the All Valley Karate Tournament.OnCobra Kai, grown-up Johnny has matured in adulthood. Although he’s married and has a son, the competition with Daniel is revived when Johnny reopens the Cobra Kai studio. Like his costar Macchio, Zabka received an Emmy nomination in 2021 as one of the executive producers ofCobra Kai.Zabka has said seeing how fans have responded to Johnny’s character arc — from villain to hero — has been an emotional experience.“To have people rooting for my character, for me to feel that, issomething I’ve never experienced,” he told PEOPLE in January 2021. “It’s remarkable.“Since the originalKarate Kidfilms, Zabka has appeared inHigh Voltage(1997),Hot Tub Time Machine(2010) andThe Man in the Silo(2016). He also guest starred onThe Equalizer andHow I Met Your Mother, as well as the HBO miniseriesTo Appomattox. Zabka earned an Oscar nomination in 2004 for the short filmMostthat he co-wrote.
02of 09
William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence
shutterstock; netflix
Zabka reprises his role as Johnny Lawrence onCobra Kai.
In theKarate Kidfilms, Johnny is the problematic rich kid who bullies Daniel. Due to seriously intense training, he’s the top student at the Cobra Kai Dojo.
Johnny is infamously known for his illegal move when he is told to “sweep the leg” of Daniel during the All Valley Karate Tournament.
OnCobra Kai, grown-up Johnny has matured in adulthood. Although he’s married and has a son, the competition with Daniel is revived when Johnny reopens the Cobra Kai studio. Like his costar Macchio, Zabka received an Emmy nomination in 2021 as one of the executive producers ofCobra Kai.
Zabka has said seeing how fans have responded to Johnny’s character arc — from villain to hero — has been an emotional experience.
“To have people rooting for my character, for me to feel that, issomething I’ve never experienced,” he told PEOPLE in January 2021. “It’s remarkable.”
Since the originalKarate Kidfilms, Zabka has appeared inHigh Voltage(1997),Hot Tub Time Machine(2010) andThe Man in the Silo(2016). He also guest starred onThe Equalizer andHow I Met Your Mother, as well as the HBO miniseriesTo Appomattox. Zabka earned an Oscar nomination in 2004 for the short filmMostthat he co-wrote.
03of 09Martin Kove as John Kreeseshutterstock; netflixMartin Kovereprises his role as John Kreese in a guest part onCobra Kai.In theKarate Kidfilms, John is a Vietnam war veteran and the no-nonsense sensei at the Cobra Kai Dojo. He encourages bullies and is notoriously known for his line “no mercy.” John trained Johnny and feuded with Daniel’s sensei, Mr. Miyagi.OnCobra Kai, John moves back to the valley and hopes to make amends with Johnny after their feud inThe Karate Kid. He also acquires the Cobra Kai Dojo from Johnny and becomes head sensei to an entire generation of new karate kids.Since the originalKarate Kidfilms, Kove has appeared in various movies such asThe Dead Sleep Easy(2007),The Extendables(2014) andOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood(2019).Kove has also landed parts on shows likeDiagnosis: MurderandCriminal Mindsand competed on season 30 ofDancing with the Starsin 2021.
03of 09
Martin Kove as John Kreese
Martin Kovereprises his role as John Kreese in a guest part onCobra Kai.
In theKarate Kidfilms, John is a Vietnam war veteran and the no-nonsense sensei at the Cobra Kai Dojo. He encourages bullies and is notoriously known for his line “no mercy.” John trained Johnny and feuded with Daniel’s sensei, Mr. Miyagi.
OnCobra Kai, John moves back to the valley and hopes to make amends with Johnny after their feud inThe Karate Kid. He also acquires the Cobra Kai Dojo from Johnny and becomes head sensei to an entire generation of new karate kids.
Since the originalKarate Kidfilms, Kove has appeared in various movies such asThe Dead Sleep Easy(2007),The Extendables(2014) andOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood(2019).Kove has also landed parts on shows likeDiagnosis: MurderandCriminal Mindsand competed on season 30 ofDancing with the Starsin 2021.
04of 09
Randee Heller as Lucille LaRusso
courtesy everett collection; netflix
Randee Heller reprises her role as Lucille LaRusso onCobra Kai.
In the originalKarate Kidfilms, Lucille is Daniel’s supportive, widowed mother. Lucille’s new job is the reason they moved cross country to California, but Daniel struggles in their new home.
OnCobra Kai, Lucille made a cameo on episode eight of season 1 during a dinner with Daniel’s family. She appeared again on season 2, where she was seen reminiscing about her late husband alongside Daniel. She also made an appearance on season 4.
05of 09
Thomas Ian Griffith as Terry Silver
Columbia Pictures; netflix
Thomas Ian Griffithreprises his role as Terry Silver onCobra Kai.
In theKarate Kidfilms, Terry is the original owner of the Cobra Kai Dojo. He’s friends with fellow antagonist John Kreese, whom he works alongside to seek revenge against Daniel inThe Karate KidIII. Griffith’s ominous and ruthless charactermade a comeback on seasons 4and 5 ofCobra Kai.
06of 09
Elisabeth Shue as Ali Mills Schwarber
Elisabeth Shuereprises her role as Ali (“with an ‘i’") Mills Schwarber on season 3 ofCobra Kai.
In theKarate Kidfilms, Ali is the love interest of both Johnny and Daniel. After ending things with Johnny, she takes an immediate liking to Daniel — fueling a rivalry between the two boys.
OnCobra Kai, Ali is a Denver-based pediatric surgeon married to an oncologist named Gregory Schwarber. She reunites with her childhood sweethearts in hopes of bringing them together.
07of 09Tamlyn Tomita as Kumikocourtesy everett collection; netflixTamlyn Tomita reprises her role as Kumiko on season 3 theCobra Kaiseries.In theKarate Kidfilms, Kumiko is an aspiring Okinawan dancer. She’s also the niece of Mr. Miyagi’s girlfriend and Daniel’s second love interest.OnCobra Kai, Kumiko reunites with Daniel when he journeys back to the village in Japan where they first met — which has now been transformed into a Westernized shopping mall.Since the originalKarate Kidfilms, Tomita was featured inThe Joy Luck Club(1993),The Day After Tomorrow(2004),The Good Neighbor(2016) andI Will Make You Mine(2020). She’s also appeared onJAG,24,Eureka,Heroes,Resurrection,Chasing Life,Berlin Station,Teen Wolf,The Good Doctor,The Man in the High CastleandStar Trek: Picard.
07of 09
Tamlyn Tomita as Kumiko
Tamlyn Tomita reprises her role as Kumiko on season 3 theCobra Kaiseries.
In theKarate Kidfilms, Kumiko is an aspiring Okinawan dancer. She’s also the niece of Mr. Miyagi’s girlfriend and Daniel’s second love interest.
OnCobra Kai, Kumiko reunites with Daniel when he journeys back to the village in Japan where they first met — which has now been transformed into a Westernized shopping mall.
Since the originalKarate Kidfilms, Tomita was featured inThe Joy Luck Club(1993),The Day After Tomorrow(2004),The Good Neighbor(2016) andI Will Make You Mine(2020). She’s also appeared onJAG,24,Eureka,Heroes,Resurrection,Chasing Life,Berlin Station,Teen Wolf,The Good Doctor,The Man in the High CastleandStar Trek: Picard.
08of 09
Yuji Okumoto as Chozen Toguchi
courtesy Everett collection; netflix
Yuji Okumotoreprises his role as Chozen Toguchi on seasons 3, 4 and 5 ofCobra Kai.
In theKarate Kidfilms, Chozen is the nephew of Sato and a rival of Daniel. Remember when Daniel gave him the choice to “live or die”? Remember the drum technique? (An intense yet iconic scene!)
OnCobra Kai, Chozen reunites with Daniel in Okinawa. Decades since his defeat inThe Karate Kid II, he’s taken the time to reflect on his loss and uncover the true meaning of martial arts.
09of 09
Since the originalKarate Kidfilms, Garrison has appeared onSt. Elsewhere,MacGyverandKung Fu: The Legend Continues.
Thomas was cast in 1986’sThe Big Betand 2014’sThe Extendables(2014).O’Dell has appeared onHead of the Class,George LopezandK.C. Undercover.
source: people.com
