Hit Netflix drama Cobra Kai features several Disney alums in the cast. Here’s a look at who met Mickey Mouse before Daniel LaRusso.
Before they were beating each other senseless as warring karate factions on Cobra Kai, several cast members had made a name for themselves on Disney Channel. Some had even worked together in their past jobs.
Let’s take a look at who made the jump to All Valley, Netflix and The Karate Kid universe.
Tanner Buchanan – Girl Meets World
Tanner Buchanan has been a series regular on Cobra Kai since Season 1, playing Johnny Lawrence’s (William Zabka) troubled teenage son, Robby Keen. Throughout the series, Robby switches allegiance several teams before ultimately ending up at Cobra Kai under John Kreese by the end of Season 3.
Prior to being cast in the breakthrough role, Buchanan appeared on three episodes of Girl Meets World as Charlie Gardner, a potential love interest for Riley Matthews (Rowan Blanchard).
Jacob Bertrand – Kirby Buckets
Jacob Bertrand arrived on Season 1 as a guest star, portraying shy student Eli Moskowitz, who was bullied due to facial scarring.
Later in the freshman season, Eli joins the Cobra Kai and undergoes a transformation into Hawk, one of the coolest, proficient and intimidating martial artists. The later seasons follow Hawk’s loss of morality, as he becomes what Eli had stood against – a bully.
Between 2014-2017, Bertrand played the title character on the Disney XD comedy Kirby Buckets. He also starred as ‘Jack Malloy’ in 2016’s The Swap, opposite fellow future Cobra Kai star Peyton List.
Mary Mouser – Frenemies
Mary Mouser has been a key cast member of Cobra Kai from the beginning, playing the role of Samantha “Sam” LaRusso, daughter of protagonist Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio).
Although not a series regular on a Disney Channel series, Mouser appeared opposite Zendaya and Bella Thorne in the 2012 DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie) Frenemies. She played a dual role as Emma and Savannah, identical girls who trade places.
Peyton List – Jessie/BUNK’D
Peyton List (not to be confused with the older actress of the same name) joined Cobra Kai in Season 2, playing Tory Nichols; a tough, ruthless tomboy with a less than ideal home life.
Tory is one of the show’s primary antagonists, being the ex-girlfriend of Miguel Diaz (Xolo Maridueña) and the arch rival of his current girlfriend Samantha LaRusso (Mary Mouser), who was also Miguel’s ex when they first met.
Before any of this drama went down, List was known for a very different role. She played spoiled heiress Emma Ross on Disney Channel’s Jessie opposite Debby Ryan and later reprised this role in the spin-off Bunk’d for seasons 1 through 3.
Aedin Mincks – ANT FARM
Aedin Mincks was another Season 2 arrival into the Cobra Kai dojo. He has played the role of Mitch, a newer member and the butt of several jokes at his expense.
Mitch originally joined the dojo alongside his friend Chris (Khalil Everage), although like many others, their bond became strained over time.
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Years earlier, Mincks was similarly a guest star on the 2011-2014 Disney Channel sitcom ANT Farm, starring China Anne McClain. After playing ‘Angus Chestnut’ as a recurring character for two seasons, he became a series regular for the third and final season.
Dan Adhoot – Kickin’ It
Actor/comedian Dan Adhoot has recurred on all three seasons (to date) of Cobra Kai, playing Anoush Norouzi, a friend and employee of Daniel LaRusso at LaRusso Auto Group.
Although mostly a minor character, Anoush’s resignation and subsequent rehiring at the company played an important role during a Season 3 story arc.
Working on a karate-based show is familiar territory for Adhoot, who played deli owner ‘Falafel Phil’ on Disney XD’s Kickin’ It.
