See Every Actor from 'The Karate Kid' Who Reprises Their Role on 'Cobra Kai'

Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso

Macchio made his return as Daniel LaRusso on Cobra Kai.

In the Karate Kid films, Daniel is a bullied high school student whose life changes when he's taught self-defense skills and valuable life lessons by wise karate sensei Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita). He applies what he's learned to protect himself and beat opponents who challenge him in competition.

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 first Karate Kid movie. In 2021, Macchio earned an Emmy nomination for outstanding comedy series as one of the show's executive producers.

Macchio opened up to PEOPLE on how different generations of fans have reacted to the Karate Kid universe through Cobra 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 original Karate Kid films, Macchio has appeared in several movies, including My Cousin Vinny (1992), Beer League (2006), Hitchcock (2012) and A Dog and Pony Show (2018). He also landed several recurring small-screen roles on Ugly Betty, Psych, Kevin Can Wait and The Deuce.

Macchio competed on season 12 of Dancing with the Stars in 2011 and released his memoir, Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me, in 2022.

William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence

Zabka reprises his role as Johnny Lawrence on Cobra Kai.

In the Karate Kid films, 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.

On Cobra 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 of Cobra 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, is something I've never experienced," he told PEOPLE in January 2021. "It's remarkable."

Since the original Karate Kid films, Zabka has appeared in High Voltage (1997), Hot Tub Time Machine (2010) and The Man in the Silo (2016). He also guest starred on The Equalizer and How I Met Your Mother, as well as the HBO miniseries To Appomattox. Zabka earned an Oscar nomination in 2004 for the short film Most that he co-wrote. 

Martin Kove as John Kreese

Martin Kove reprises his role as John Kreese in a guest part on Cobra Kai.

In the Karate Kid films, 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.

On Cobra Kai, John moves back to the valley and hopes to make amends with Johnny after their feud in The 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 original Karate Kid films, Kove has appeared in various movies such as The Dead Sleep Easy (2007), The Extendables (2014) and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019). Kove has also landed parts on shows like Diagnosis: Murder and Criminal Minds and competed on season 30 of Dancing with the Stars in 2021.

Randee Heller as Lucille LaRusso

Randee Heller reprises her role as Lucille LaRusso on Cobra Kai.

In the original Karate Kid films, 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.

On Cobra 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.

Since the original Karate Kid films, Heller has appeared in a variety of movies such as Matter of Trust (1998), Monster-in-Law (2005) and A Crooked Somebody (2017). She also made small-screen appearances on TV shows like Who's the Boss, Fired Up, Judging Amy, Mad Men, In Plain Sight and Wilfred. In 2011, Heller earned an Emmy nomination for outstanding guest actress for her performance on Mad Men.

Thomas Ian Griffith as Terry Silver

Thomas Ian Griffith reprises his role as Terry Silver on Cobra Kai.

In the Karate Kid films, 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 in The Karate Kid III. Griffith's ominous and ruthless character made a comeback on seasons 4 and 5 of Cobra Kai.

Since the original Karate Kid films, Griffith has appeared in various movies such as Hollow Point (1996), Vampires (1998) and XXX (2002), as well as on TV shows like In the Heat of the Night and One Tree Hill. In addition to his TV appearances as an actor, Griffith served as co-writer and co-producer on the NBC series Grimm.

Elisabeth Shue as Ali Mills Schwarber

Elisabeth Shue reprises her role as Ali ("with an 'i'") Mills Schwarber on season 3 of Cobra Kai.

In the Karate Kid films, 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.

On Cobra 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.

Since the original Karate Kid films, Shue has appeared in numerous movies such as Adventures in Babysitting (1987), Leaving Las Vegas (1995), Hollow Man (2000), Don McKay (2009), Death Wish (2018), Greyhound (2020) and The Good Half (2023). She's also appeared on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Boys, On the Verge and Super Pumped.

Tamlyn Tomita as Kumiko

Tamlyn Tomita reprises her role as Kumiko on season 3 the Cobra Kai series.

In the Karate Kid films, Kumiko is an aspiring Okinawan dancer. She's also the niece of Mr. Miyagi's girlfriend and Daniel's second love interest.

On Cobra 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 original Karate Kid films, Tomita was featured in The Joy Luck Club (1993), The Day After Tomorrow (2004), The Good Neighbor (2016) and I Will Make You Mine (2020). She's also appeared on JAG, 24, Eureka, Heroes, Resurrection, Chasing Life, Berlin Station, Teen Wolf, The Good Doctor, The Man in the High Castle and Star Trek: Picard.

Yuji Okumoto as Chozen Toguchi

Yuji Okumoto reprises his role as Chozen Toguchi on seasons 3, 4 and 5 of Cobra Kai.

In the Karate Kid films, 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!)

On Cobra Kai, Chozen reunites with Daniel in Okinawa. Decades since his defeat in The Karate Kid II, he's taken the time to reflect on his loss and uncover the true meaning of martial arts.

Following the 1984 classic film, Okumoto has appeared in The Truman Show (1998), Pearl Harbor (2001), Inception (2010) and Driven (2018). His TV credits include Knots Landing and Murder, She Wrote.

Rob Garrison, Ron Thomas and Tony O'Dell as Tommy, Bobby and Jimmy

The late Rob Garrison (pictured here), Ron Thomas and Tony O'Dell reprise their roles as Tommy, Bobby and Jimmy, respectively, on Cobra Kai.

In The Karate Kid, the trio are students at the Cobra Kai Dojo and friends of Johnny. Tommy is the most vocal and known for his sarcasm. Bobby is the second strongest and most compassionate. Jimmy is the quietest and the only brown belt in the gang.

On Cobra Kai, Tommy is surrounded by Bobby and Jimmy during his final days. The show honored the late actor after he died with a tribute that read, "Cobra Kai never dies."

Since the original Karate Kid films, Garrison has appeared on St. Elsewhere, MacGyver and Kung Fu: The Legend Continues.

Thomas was cast in 1986's The Big Bet and 2014's The Extendables (2014). O'Dell has appeared on Head of the Class, George Lopez and K.C. Undercover.