‘Cobra Kai’ actor quits acting after 20-plus years: ‘I hung up my gloves’

Wax on, wax off.

Actress Courtney Henggeler, who starred as Amanda LaRusso in the hugely popular “The Karate Kid” spinoff “Cobra Kai” on Netflix, is quitting acting after more than two decades in the industry.

“After 20-plus years of fighting the good fight in the acting business, I hung up my gloves on Friday,” Henggeler, 46, announced in a Substack post. “I called my agents and told them I was tapping out. I no longer wanted to be a cog in the wheel of the machine.”

Courtney Henggeler as Amanda LaRusso in Cobra Kai. COURTESY OF NETFLIX Courtney Henggeler portraying the character Amanda LaRusso in Cobra Kai. CURTIS BONDS BAKER/NETFLIX

“When prompted to know what I did want to do,” she added, “I simply replied ‘I want to be the machine.'”

Before starring as Ralph Macchio’s onscreen wife in “Cobra Kai” for the show’s entire six-season run, Henggeler had several small appearances in other TV projects like “House,” “Criminal Minds,” “Mom,” “Bones” and “Jane the Virgin.”

She also starred as Sheldon Cooper’s sister, Missy Cooper, in two episodes of “The Big Bang Theory.”

Courtney Henggeler at Netflix’s “Cobra Kai” series finale premiere at The Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood in February. WireImage

“All I’ve ever known in my professional life was acting. But not even the art or craft of acting. All I’ve truly ever knew was the hustle,” the New Jersey native continued. “The hustle, the grind, sprinkled (occasionally) with the odd acting job. Perhaps a line or two to TV’s Dr. House – ‘Sorry’ (that’s it. That was my line. Genius).“

“We survived off the crumbs,” Henggeler said. “We filled our cup with the possibility; our mugs with delusion. Our plates were empty, but a golden goose hung over our heads. Today might be the day. Today might be the day I reach the golden goose.“

“20 plus years of this,” she wrote. “I’m hungry.”

Courtney Henggeler as Amanda LaRusso and Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso in “Cobra Kai.” COURTESY OF NETFLIX

But acting alongside “The Karate Kid” stars Macchio, 63, and William Zabka, 59, in “Cobra Kai” for six seasons was not Henggeler’s only career high. She also worked with George Clooney for the actor-turned-director’s 2023 film “The Boys in the Boat.”

“And I’m considered one of the lucky ones. I was on a series. A successful series. I made money. My face was on the billboards I longed for 20 plus years,” Henggeler wrote. “I was directed by George Clooney for godsakes. This by all definitions is the golden goose.”

“I’m famished,” she added.

Courtney Henggeler and Vanessa Rubio posing at the “Cobra Kai” series finale world premiere in Los Angeles in February. Getty Images for Netflix

Henggeler’s decision to walk away from Hollywood comes months after “Cobra Kai” came to an end on February 13.

While “Cobra Kai” saw the return of Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso and Zabka’s Johnny Lawrence, it was far from the first “The Karate Kid” sequel – although it was the first filmed for the small screen.

The “Karate Kid” story that kicked off the franchise in 1984 continued with “The Karate Kid Part II” in 1986 and “The Karate Kid Part III” in 1989.

Ralph Macchio and Courtney Henggeler as Daniel and Amanda LaRusso in “Cobra Kai.” CURTIS BONDS BAKER/NETFLIX Both Ralph Macchio and William Zabka returned to their original “The Karate Kid” roles for “Cobra Kai.” COURTESY OF NETFLIX

A fourth film, “The Next Karate Kid,” was released in 1994, but only Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) returned for this installment. Hilary Swank also starred as Julie Pierce.

The original film received a remake in 2010. Once again titled “The Karate Kid,” it saw Jaden Smith star as protagonist Dre Parker and Jackie Chan appear as the mentor Mr. Han.

It wasn’t until May 2018 that Netflix released the first season of “Cobra Kai,” with Macchio and Zabka returning to their original roles.

“I’m feeling great, because when does this happen?” Macchio told The New York Times shortly before the show’s finale in February. “A show based on a movie from 34 years prior creating a new fandom and new generations of fans around a franchise. It feels like it’s landing at the right time and not overstaying its welcome. I’m excited for fans around the world to see Johnny and Daniel and all the characters come in for a landing.”

A group photo of the “Cobra Kai” cast and crew at the series finale world premiere in Los Angeles in February. Getty Images for Netflix

“It’s less goodbye for me and more ‘See you next time,'” he continued. “As all over the place and as big as ‘Cobra Kai’ got with these brawls and the accidental deaths and all these zillions of characters, it still was born out of Daniel and Johnny’s rivalry and now, in turn, friendship.”

“And that’s kind of life imitating art imitating life,” Macchio added, “not that Billy and I were ever rivals, but we were never as close as we are today.”

“Karate Kid: Legends,” another sequel that will see Macchio return as Daniel LaRusso and Chan as Mr. Han, is scheduled for release on May 30. It reportedly takes place three years after the events of “Cobra Kai.”