Know the Cast: 'Cobra Kai' (2024)

The Cobra Kaicastfeatures Ralph Macchio, William Zabka and Peyton List. This info article contains minor spoilers and character details for Josh Heald,Jon Hurwitz andHayden Schlossberg’s Netflix series. Check out more streaming guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast section.

Cobra Kai follows the protagonist and villain of the 1984 classic The Karate Kid. As adults, Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence clash while running competing dojos; however, they also bond while strategizing against a mutual nemesis named John Kreese. The Netflix series explores the psychological motivations that affect the collective behavior of the main players. Here’s every performer and character in Cobra Kai.

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Russian Doll’

Cobra Kai Cast: Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso

Character Profile: The franchise protagonist. He runs the LaRusso Auto Group and realizes that professional success hasn’t resolved issues from the past. Daniel means well but often makes patronizing statements to family members, friends and acquaintances.

Macchio’s Resume: Johnny Cade in The Outsiders (1983), Daniel in The Karate Kid Movie Franchise (1984-1989), Bill Gambini in My Cousin Vinny (1992), Archie Rodriguez in Ugly Betty (2008-09),Officer Haddix in The Deuce (2017-19)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Heartstopper’

Cobra Kai Cast: William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence

Character Profile: Daniel’s high school rival. He runs the Cobra Kai dojo and teaches his students to strike first. Johnny’s toxic masculinity leads to conflict with both student and adult acquaintances.

Zabka’s Resume: Johnny in The Karate Kid Movie Franchise (1984-86), Scott McCall in The Equalizer (1985-89), Chas in Back to School (1986), Rick in Hot Tub Time Machine (2010), John Rawlins in To Appomattox (2015)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘The Taming of the Shrewd’

Cobra Kai Cast: Courtney Henggeler as Amanda LaRusso

Character Profile: Daniel’s wife. She worries about her husband’s nostalgic behavior. Amanda prioritizes her family’s happiness but also looks out for others who are less fortunate.

Henggeller’s Resume: Claudia in Mom (2013-15),Missy Cooper in The Big Bang Theory (2008-18), Hillary in Nobody’s Fool (2018), Anna in Into the Dark (2019), Laura in Do Not Reply (2019)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Choose or Die’

Cobra Kai Cast: Xolo Maridueña as Miguel Diaz

Character Profile: Johnny’s neighbor and the first Cobra Kai student. He lives with his mother and has a hot/cold romance with Daniel and Amanda’s daughter, Samantha. Miguel enjoys karate culture but slowly distances himself from Johnny in season 4.

Cobra Kai Cast: Tanner Buchanan as Robby Keene

Character Profile: Johnny’s estranged son. He develops a romance with Samantha and later bonds with a fellow Cobra Kai student, Tory. Robby shows strong leadership skills but struggles with unresolved familial issues.

Buchanan’s Resume: Charlie Gardner in Girl Meets World (2015), Jack Downey in The Fosters (2016), Leo Kirkman in Designated Survivor (2016-18), Chad Brad Bradley in Fuller House (2017), Cameron Kweller in He’s All That (2021)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Dirty Lines’

Cobra Kai Cast: Mary Mouser as Samantha LaRusso

Character Profile: Daniel and Amanda’s daughter. She joins Miyagi-Do but struggles with mental health issues because of a rivalry with Cobra Kai’s Tory. Samantha gains more confidence in season 4.

Mouser’s Resume: Alvey Avery in Son of the Mask (2005),Kelly Gibbs in NCIS (2005-15), Audrey Gibson in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (2014), Karen Grant in Scandal (2014-15),Mary Jones in Freakish (2016)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Dancing on Glass’

Cobra Kai Cast: Jacob Bertrand as Eli “Hawk” Moskowitz

Character Profile: A West Valley High student who initially joins Cobra Kai to defend himself from bullies. He becomes one of the primary villains and later tries to make up for his mistakes. Eli wants to be perceived as a tough guy and clashes with his former best friend, Demetri.

Bertrand’s Resume: Boy in Little Fockers (2010),Monty in Marvin Marvin (2012-13),Monty in Rise of the Guardians (2012),Kirby Buckets/Kimberly in Kirby Buckets (2014-17), High School Kid in Ready Player One (2018)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Metal Lords’

Cobra Kai Cast: Gianni DeCenzo as Demetri

Character Profile: Eli/Hawk’s longtime friend. He’s an intellectual type who progressively gains confidence after joining Miyagi-Do. Demetri isn’t an elite fighter but demonstrates strong leadership skills.

DeCenzo’s Resume: Butch McCallister in Eagleheart (2013), Jack Quinlan in Saint Francis (2014), Young Adam in 37: A Final Promise (2014),Arthur Pickwickle in 100 Things to Do Before High School (2015-16), Caleb Williger in Coop and Cami Ask the World (2019-20)

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Cobra Kai Cast: Martin Kove as John Kreese

Character Profile: The founder of Cobra Kai. He’s a Vietnam War veteran who lives by the mantra “No Mercy.” Kreese emerges as the main villain in season 1 and beyond.

Kove’s Resume: Deputy in The Last House on the Left (1972),Nero the Hero in Death Race 2000 (1975), Victor Isbecki in Cagney & Lacey (1982-88), John Kreese in The Karate Kid Movie Franchise (1984-89), Ericson in Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘The Bubble’

Cobra Kai Cast: Vanessa Rubio as Carmen Diaz

Character Profile: Miguel’s mother. She’s from Central America and develops a romance with Johnny. Carmen tries to protect her family from her estranged ex-husband.

Rubio’s Resume: Hostess in Master of None (2017), Elicia in Blood Bound (2019), Cimarron Rose in Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings (2019), Nagaina in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2020), Gina in Bonding (2021)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘All Hail’

Cobra Kai Cast: Paul Walter Hauser as Raymond aka Stingray

Character Profile: A San Fernando Valley resident who hangs out with Cobra Kai members. He first appears in season 2 and reemerges in the fourth series installment. Stingray makes a fateful decision that affects Kreese’s future in season 4.

Hauser’s Resume: Keith in Kingdom (2014-17), Shawn in I, Tonya (2017), Ivanhoe in BlacKkKlansman (2018), Richard Jewell in Richard Jewell (2019), Horace in Cruella (2021)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Bridgerton’ Season 2

Cobra Kai Cast: Peyton List as Tory Nichols

Character Profile: The top female student at Cobra Kai. She first appears in season 2 and clashes with Samantha. Tory comes from a rough background and tries to fight her way through life, unaware that perceived enemies want to offer help.

List’s Resume: Young Jane in 27 Dresses (2008), Emma Ross in Jessie (2011-15),Holly Hills in theDiary of a Wimpy Kid Movie Franchise (2011-12), Emma Ross in Bunk’d (2015-), Peggy in Hubie Halloween (2020)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘In Good Hands’

Cobra Kai Cast: Dallas Dupree Young as Kenny

Character Profile: A West Valley High student who first appears in season 3. He’s a gamer who gets bullied by Daniel’s son. Kenny trains at Cobra Kai and receives guidance from Robby.

Young’s Resume: Elementary Kid in Ready Player One (2018),Young Uzo in The Good Place (2017-19), Stuart in Cousins for Life (2018-19),Taylor in The Big Show Show (2020),Young Willie Mays Aikens in The Royal (2021)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Rescued by Ruby’

Cobra Kai Cast: Thomas Ian Griffith as Terry Silver

Character Profile: Kreese’s long-time friend and the original Cobra Kai financier. He’s the primary villain of The Karate Kid Part III who has a main role in Cobra Kai season 4. Terry displays gentle behavior as a grown man but later transforms into public enemy #1.

Griffith’s Resume: Terry Silver in The Karate Kid Part III (1989), Terry McCain in Excessive Force (1993),Jan Valek in Vampires (1998), Agent Jim McGrath in xXx (2002), Larry Sawyer in One Tree Hill (2004)

Read More at VV — Know the Voice Cast: ‘Human Resources’

Cobra Kai Cast: Griffin Santopietro as Anthony LaRusso

Character Profile: Daniel’s son. He appears in the first two seasons and loses a significant amount of weight by the third installment. Anthony bullies Kenny in season 4 and shows little interest in his family’s karate legacy.

Griffith’s Resume: Jeddy in The Week Of (2018), Tommy in The Rack Pack (2018), Young Fran in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2019),James Donovan in Bull (2019),Linus Wilding in New Amsterdam (2021)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Black Crab’

The Cobra Kai cast also includes Aedin Mincks (Ted, Bad Teacher), Owen Morgan (TV debut), Nichole Brown (Raven’s Home), Annalisa Cochrane (Heathers, One Of Us Is Lying), Joe Seo (Freedom Writers, Message from the King) andHannah Kepple (Tell Me Your Secrets, Creepshow).

Q.V. Hough (@QVHough) is Vague Visages’ founding editor.

Categories: 2020s, Action, Comedy, Drama, Know the Cast, Netflix Originals, Streaming Originals

Tagged as: Action, Cobra Kai, Comedy, Drama, Hayden Schlossberg, Jon Hurwitz, Josh Heald, Netflix, Q.V. Hough