Warning! Contains minor spoilers for Cobra Kai season 6, part 1.
Summary
Given how many actors have been associated withCobra Kaifor several seasons, it can be hard not to be curious about how much they have aged over the years. Serving as a spin-off and sequel to the originalKarate Kidmovies,Cobra Kaisucceeded by striking the right balance between portraying a new generation of karate practitioners and marking the return of legacy characters from the original films. Owing to this, while the actors playing its new generation of characters are quite young, the ones portraying the legacy characters are well beyond their 60s.
Cobra Kai’s season 1 premiered on Netflix in 2018. As season 6’s release schedule suggests, the Netflix series will end in 2025, lasting the show’s run for nearly seven years. Since most of its cast members have stuck with the series since its beginning in 2018, audiences have witnessed their growth and probably wondered about how their ages compare to one another.
Age (as of July 2024)
62
58
23
25
26
28
78
65
24
22
17
13Ralph Macchio (Daniel LaRusso)
Date of Birth: June 09, 2025
Ralph Macchio was about 23 years old when he first starred as Daniel LaRussoin the firstKarate Kidfilm. After portraying the character in two more films, he returned to playing him in 2018, when he was about 54. SinceCobra Kaiseason 2 premiered one year after season 1, Macchio was close to 55 when it was released.Cobra Kai’s third and fourth seasons were both released in 2021, suggesting the actor was around 58 when the third season came out in January and 59 when the fourth premiered in December. WithCobra Kaiseason 6 now on Netflix, the actor stands at 62.
12William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence)
Date of Birth: July 26, 2025
William Zabka was only 19 years old when he first played Johnny Lawrenceon the big screen. He then reprised the role in 2018 inCobra Kai’s season 1, when he was around 52. The next year, whenCobra Kaiseason 2 came out on YouTube Originals, the actor was 53 before turning 55 aroundCobra Kaiseason 3’s filming.Cobra Kaiseason 4 marked his return as a 56-year-old, and he currently stands at 58.
Cobra Kai Season 6 Cast & Character Guide
Cobra Kai season 6 marks the return of many cast members of previous seasons, many of whom remain its primary leads while others get less screen time.
11Xolo Maridueña (Miguel Diaz)
Date of Birth: June 16, 2025
Xolo Maridueña started his journey withCobra Kaiseason 1 around the age of 16. By season 2, he was a year older, standing at 17. Two years later, he appeared inCobra Kaiseason 3 around the age of 19, before reprising his role in the fourth installment at 20. By season 5, he was 21, and his present age is 23 afterCobra Kaiseason 6 part 1’s release on Netflix.
10Tanner Buchanan (Robby Keene)
Date of Birth: August 16, 2025
Although Robby Keene and Miguel Diaz are supposed to be around the same age inCobra Kai, Tanner Buchanan is over 2 years older than Xolo Maridueña in real life. The actor must have been around 19 or 20 whenCobra Kaiseason 1 was filmed. He was likely in the 20-21 range during season 2’s filming. After two years, he must have been closer to 22 whenCobra Kaiseason 3 and 4’s filming took place. As of 2024, his age is 25, suggesting he was around 24 during the final season’s filming, and will be 26 by the time the show ends.
9Peyton List (Tory Nichols)
Date of Birth: June 05, 2025
Born in 1998, Peyton was likely close to 19 when the first season of the spin-off series was filmed. She must have turned 20 by the time season 2’s filming ensued.Cobra Kaiseason 3’s shooting must have happened after her 21st birthday, but she must have turned 22 by the time season 4 was shot. With season 5, the actress was likely a year older and is now 26 around the release ofCobra Kaiseason 6’s part 1 on Netflix.
Cobra Kai Season 6 Soundtrack Guide: Every Song & When They Play
All the karate action and 1980s-inspired nostalgia are back in Cobra Kai season 6, with a soundtrack that perfectly sets the tone for the finale.
8Mary Mouser (Samantha LaRusso)
Date of Birth: August 07, 2025
Among the youngercast members inCobra Kai, Mary Mouser is the oldest. She first appeared as Samantha LaRusso in 2018,when she was close to 22 years old. In season 2, she must have been one year older, making her around 23 at the time of filming. AroundCobra Kaiseason 3’s premiere, she was 24 and turned 25 before season 4 landed on Netflix.Cobra Kaiseason 5 came out after her 26th birthday, and she stands at 28 aroundCobra Kaiseason 6 part 1’s release.
7Martin Kove (John Kreese)
Date of Birth: June 08, 2025
Veteran star Martin Kove is among the oldest cast members in the Netflix series. Born in 1946,Martin Kove was in his late 30s when he portrayed John Kreese in the firstKarate Kidmovie. He returned to play the role inCobra Kaiseason 2 when he was around 73 years old.Cobra Kaiseason 3 marked his return as the show’s primary antagonist when he turned 74. By the timeCobra Kaiseason 4 premiered, Kove had turned 75 and was likely close to 76 during season 5’s filming.Cobra Kaiseason 6 has landed on Netflix following his 78th birthday, making him the oldest main cast member in the series.
6Thomas Ian Griffith (Terry Silver)
Date of Birth: July 18, 2025
Thomas Ian Griffith joined theKarate Kidfranchise’s roster back in 1989 when he portrayed Terry Silver. AlthoughCobra Kai’s seasons 1, 2, and 3 only hinted at his return, season 4 brought him back as a full-fledged antagonist. SinceCobra Kaiseason 4 was released sometime in December 2021, Thomas Ian Griffith was likely 59 during its filming. He was 60 by the time season 5 came out, and must have been close to 61 or 62 during the final season’s filming.
Is The Sekai Taikai Real? Cobra Kai Season 6’s Karate Tournament Explained
Cobra Kai’s Sekai Taikai tournament is said to be the most prestigious karate competition in the world. But does it exist in real-life?
5Yuji Okumoto (Chozen Toguchi)
Date of Birth: June 26, 2025
Born in April 1959, Yuji Okumoto was about 27 when he first starred inKarate Kid IIas its main villain. During season 3’s filming, in which Chozen meets Daniel after decades when Daniel returns to Okinawa, Okumoto was likely close to 61. He must have touched 62 during season 4’s filming and turned 63 before season 5 premiered on Netflix. InCobra Kaiseason 6, the actor is around 65, which makes him relatively older than his character.
4Jacob Bertrand (Eli “Hawk” Moskowitz)
Date of Birth: June 25, 2025
Jacob Bertrand has been withCobra Kaisince season 1 and is one of the few cast members who have embraced both heroic and villainous roles. WhenCobra Kaiseason 1 first came out in 2018,Bertrand was around 18 years old. He must have turned 19 soon after season 2’s release and entered his 20s beforeCobra Kaiseason 3’s premiere. BeforeCobra Kaiseason 4’s release on Netflix, Berntrand was already 21 and 22 before season 5 came out in September 2022. ForCobra Kaiseason 6, the actor is close to 24 years old and will likely turn 25 before the final part of the final season premieres on Netflix.
