The Karate Kid franchise practically raised a generation, and for that, it holds a special place in our hearts. Telling the story of a young outsider who finds the strength to stand out through the guidance of a wise, albeit unconventional, mentor, the Karate Kid movies became a timeless classic. But the true magic happened 33 years later, when the franchise made a groundbreaking return in the form of a hit series titled Cobra Kai.
When fans witnessed the characters they had grown to love return to the screen again, it was as if time stood still. The first season of Cobra Kai premiered in 2018 and immediately, fans were transported back in time to the familiar world of Karate Kid. But this was not just a nostalgia trip. Cobra Kai had actually, expertly, integrated beloved cast members from Karate Kid into its compelling new narrative by allowing them to evolve, struggle, and redeem themselves.
The secret of Cobra Kai’s success, truly, is the return of the original cast members. Major characters like Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence slipped effortlessly back into their iconic roles and the series also found a way to reintroduce minor characters to ensure callbacks and continuity, all the while honoring the legacy of the original Karate Kid movies. In this list, we count down Karate Kid actors who reprised their roles in Cobra Kai.
15 Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso
In the original Karate Kid, a 1984 classic, Ralph Macchio took on the role of Daniel LaRusso, a young, scrappy high school underdog who finds his footing after learning martial arts from his wise mentor, Mr. Miyagi. His journey continued in The Karate Kid Part II and The Karate Kid Part III, and his earnest performance made him a beloved mainstay in pop culture.
Decades later, in 2018, Macchio reprised his role in Cobra Kai. He seamlessly slipped back into the role; now a successful car dealership owner and father, but just as determined and vulnerable as before. Daniel’s character in Cobra Kai is very layered because he’s not only struggling to maintain his value but also dealing with the reignited rivalry with Johnny Lawrence by trying to take down his dojo.
14 William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence
The memorable and quintessential villain of The Karate Kid, William Zabka made quite an impression as Johnny Lawrence. The cocky, rich, blonde-haired, and ruthless champion of the Cobra Kai, he not only bullied Daniel but also stood in the way of his glory. But when Cobra Kai arrived over three decades later, Zabka’s return to the role was nothing short of a revelation. He had transformed from a bully to a more complex figure and had an incredible redemption arc.
A down-and-out alcoholic and flawed man trying to rebuild his life, Johnny Lawrence makes an attempt to reclaim his former glory by reopening the Cobra Kai karate dojo and becoming a sensei himself, which eventually brings him face-to-face with his rival, Daniel LaRusso, once again.
13 Martin Kove as John Kreese
Martin Kove portrayed John Kreese, the merciless and manipulative sensei of the Cobra Kai dojo in the original Karate Kid trilogy. He was the first iconic villain in the franchise, and with his unwavering dedication to “no mercy” karate, he showcased the dark side of martial arts. Kreese was the perfect foil to Mr. Miyagi, and it was only obvious for him to return to Cobra Kai, the series.
However, Kove’s homecoming as John Kreese in the series was quite thrilling. Now out of prison and seeking retribution for the way he treated Johnny after losing the All-Valley tournament, he emerges as a central figure and his reappearance is pivotal to some of the series’ most gripping narrative arcs. Kove breathes new life into the character, and while he’s still as tense and formidable, he tries to be a better mentor and a father figure to Johnny.
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12 Elisabeth Shue as Ali Mills Schwarber
In the original Karate Kid, Elisabeth Shue played Ali Mills, the high school love interest of both Daniel and Johnny. She was a spirited cheerleader with a disarming smile and a spirited personality. Caught between the two boys, she ultimately chooses Daniel, which fuels much of the movie’s emotional drama and Daniel’s rivalry with Johnny, who tries really hard to get back together with Ali.
Shue returns to the role of Ali Mills in Cobra Kai as a guest in Season 3, Episode 9, “Feel the Night.” It is revealed that she is a pediatric surgeon going through a divorce; her return sending a wave of nostalgia through the series. She reconnects with Johnny on Facebook and runs into Daniel at a party and she’s a mature and complex addition to the series because she bridges the gap between the two main characters by helping them find closure.
11 Thomas Ian Griffith as Terry Silver
The Karate Kid Part III introduced fans to a brand new antagonist in the form of Terry Silver, played by Thomas Ian Griffith. He’s called in by Kreese to help shut down Cobra Kai, and Silver, who vows to help Kreese, manipulates Daniel LaRusso against his mentor, Mr. Miyagi. He not only uses psychological tactics to make sure Daniel fights but also sends thugs to threaten him at some point in the movie.
In Cobra Kai, Griffith returns as Terry Silver in Season 4 to team up with John Kreese once again. He brings a sense of continuity to the series, and this time, he appears to have changed and evolved into a better human being. But when Kreese insists they take down Miyagi-Do and Johnny’s new dojo Eagle Fang, Silver not only agrees to help, but shows his duplicitous personality by taking down Kreese as well.
10 Randee Heller as Lucille LaRusso
Randee Heller played Lucille LaRusso, Daniel’s devoted, supportive, and fiercely protective mother in the original Karate Kid movies. Despite sharing a strained relationship with her son, she was always a strong maternal presence who guided and encouraged Daniel to do better and cheered for him from the sidelines.
Heller first appeared in Cobra Kai in Season 1, Episode 8, “Molting” to tell Daniel that she disapproved of his idea of reopening the Cobra Kai dojo. Ever since, she has popped in and out of the series to add a touch of humor and heart to the show. Like in Season 2, she helps smooth things between Daniel and Amanda, and in Season 4, she visits her granddaughter before prom.
9 Tamlyn Tomita as Kumiko
Tamlyn Tomita made her screen debut as Kumiko in The Karate Kid Part II. She was a dance teacher in Okinawa who welcomed Daniel when he accompanied Mr. Miyagi to his village. She becomes Daniel’s love interest, and even though their story was short, it significantly impacted the franchise because Kumiko added depth and emotion to Daniel’s character.
Kumiko appears in Season 3, Episode 4, “The Right Path” in Cobra Kai when Daniel finds himself directionless and arrives in Okinawa to revisit old memories of Mr. Miyagi. After Daniel voices his inhibitions, Kumiko shows him Mr. Miyagi’s letters to her aunt Yukie, where he describes Daniel as a “guiding light” for him. Overall, Tomita’s presence in Cobra Kai elevates the narrative and connects the past with the present.
8 Yuji Okumoto as Chozen Toguchi
Around the same time that Daniel met Kumiko in The Karate Kid Part II, the movie introduced Yuji Okumoto in the role of Chozen Toguchi. An antagonist in the second installment of the trilogy, he was a skilled karate student and the nephew of Sato Toguchi. His hot-headed personality stirred up trouble for Daniel and Mr. Miyagi, but by the time Chozen made it to Cobra Kai, he was a redeemed individual with a purpose in life.
Starting from Season 3, Okumoto reprised his role as Chozen, and it was Kumiko who helped Daneil and Chozen find common ground and rebuild their friendship. As a friend and ally to Daniel, Chozen also makes his way to California in Season 5.
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7 Ron Thomas as Bobby
Robert Brown, also known as Bobby, was the soft-spoken and compassionate yet strong and formidable member of the Cobra Kai dojo and a close friend of Johnny’s. Played by Ron Thomas, he added nuance to the iconic rivalry between Daniel and Johnny and held a lifelong grudge towards John Kreese for fostering the “no mercy” mentality within them.
Then an antagonist, now a minor character, Bobby, returned to Cobra Kai as a guest in Season 2, Episode 6, “Take a Right,” when Johnny wanted the gang to embark on one last adventure. He had become a pastor, was devoted to holding congregations at the church, and foresaw Kreese double-crossing Johnny at some point.
6 Tony O’Dell as Jimmy
Tony O’Dell brought the character of Jimmy to life in the original Karate Kid movies, and like Bobby, he was also a member of Johnny Lawrence’s gang at the Cobra Kai dojo. But unlike Bobby, he was known for his quiet demeanor and loyalty to Johnny. He was also the only member of the gang with a brown belt.
In the second season of Cobra Kai, Tony O’Dell returned to his role of Jimmy, and it was a nostalgic treat for fans of the franchise. He appears in the hospital scene, where he, Johnny, and Bobby visit their friend Tommy, who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. O’Dell’s performance in the episode added sentimentality to the series and highlighted the bond between the former Cobra Kai members.
5 Rob Garrison as Tommy
Tommy was the last one of the four original Cobra Kai dojo members from the Karate Kid movies to return to the series, with only Dutch missing. He was one of Johnny’s closest friends and the most vocal and sarcastic one in the group. A memorable pop culture moment involving Tommy was the climactic fight at the All Valley Karate Tournament where he shouted, “Get him a body bag, yeah!”
In Season 2, Episode 6, “Take a Right,” Rob Garrison took on the role of Tommy once again. But his return was bittersweet as it was revealed that Tommy was terminally ill and nearing the end of his life. So the friends pulled him out of his bed for a poignant and powerful last adventure, following which, Tommy died peacefully in his sleep.
4 Sean Kanan as Mike Barnes
In The Karate Kid Part III, Sean Kanan played the role of Mike Barnes, the ruthless and extremely talented antagonist introduced to challenge Daniel LaRusso after his victory in the All Valley Karate Tournament. Kanan’s portrayal was intense and determined, his silver hair and piercing glare was a stark contrast to the arrogant charm of Johnny.
When Kanan came back to the role of Mike Barnes in Cobra Kai Season 5, Daniel was convinced that he had the same cruel and dreadful intentions as before. But instead of working for Silver, Barnes decided to help Chozen and Daniel get revenge from Silver, who had ruined his business. Cobra Kai has a lot of redemption arcs for a lot of Karate Kid characters and Barnes’ addition to the catalog only offers more understanding of his history.
3 Robyn Lively as Jessica Andrews
After Daniel returns home from Okinawa, Mr. Miyagi sends him to a pottery shop, where he meets a young woman working on the pottery wheel. That’s when The Karate Kid Part III introduces Jessica Andrews, brought to life by the talented Robyn Lively. Her infectious energy and genuine charm added a refreshing element to the movie, and she provided much-needed emotional support to Daniel as he navigated personal challenges.
Fans got to witness the same undeniable chemistry between Robyn Lively and Ralph Macchio when she returned in Season 5, Episode 5, “Extreme Measures” as Jessica. In the episode, Amanda opens up to Jessica about Daniel and how karate is getting between them and Jessica advises her to cut Daniel some slack because of all the drama between him and Silver, once again acting as a friend and confidante.
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2 Traci Toguchi as Yuna
Traci Toguchi played Yuna in The Karate Kid Part II. She was the kind-hearted little girl that Daniel saved when a typhoon hit Okinawa. Although her role was brief, her interaction with Daniel was vital for audiences to catch a glimpse of his strength and sense of responsibility. As a surprise, Toguchi reprised her role as Yuna in Season 3, Episode 5, “Miyagi-Do.”
Apparently, Yuna had grown up to become the senior vice president of sales for Doyona International and she played a pivotal role in helping Daniel save his struggling car dealership. Her character adds a sense of resolution to the series and brings it to a full circle, showing how little acts of kindness can change someone’s life forever.
1 William Christopher Ford as Dennis de Guzman
In The Karate Kid Part III, William Christopher Ford played Dennis de Guzman, one of the henchmen working for the villainous Terry Silver. Under Silver’s command and accompanied by Mike Barnes and Snake, he would often attempt to bully and undermine Daniel. Even though he was more of a supporting antagonist, Ford’s portrayal was intense enough for Cobra Kai to bring him back.
Along with Silver, Guzman arrives as an unpleasant surprise for longtime fans of the franchise in Cobra Kai Season 6, Episode 7, “Dog in the Fight.” Silver, who is now the leader of the Iron Dragons, orders some thugs and Guzman, a former student of Cobra Kai, to trick Daniel into meeting them so they can capture him and prevent him from participating in the next level of the Sekai Taikai tournament.
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