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

Wax on, wax off.

Actress Courtney Henggeler, who starred arsenic Amanda LaRusso successful nan hugely celebrated “The Karate Kid” spinoff “Cobra Kai” connected Netflix, is quitting acting aft much than 2 decades successful nan industry.

“After 20-plus years of fighting nan bully conflict successful nan acting business, I hung up my gloves connected Friday,” Henggeler, 46, announced successful a Substack post. “I called my agents and told them I was tapping out. I nary longer wanted to beryllium a cog successful nan instrumentality of nan machine.”

“When prompted to cognize what I did want to do,” she added, “I simply replied ‘I want to beryllium nan machine.'”

Before starring arsenic Ralph Macchio’s onscreen woman successful “Cobra Kai” for nan show’s full six-season run, Henggeler had respective mini appearances successful different TV projects for illustration “House,” “Criminal Minds,” “Mom,” “Bones” and “Jane nan Virgin.”

She besides starred arsenic Sheldon Cooper’s sister, Missy Cooper, successful 2 episodes of “The Big Bang Theory.”

“All I’ve ever known successful my master life was acting. But not moreover nan creation aliases trade of acting. All I’ve genuinely ever knew was nan hustle,” nan New Jersey autochthonal continued. “The hustle, nan grind, radiated (occasionally) pinch nan overseas acting job. Perhaps a statement aliases 2 to TV’s Dr. House – ‘Sorry’ (that’s it. That was my line. Genius).“

“We survived disconnected nan crumbs,” Henggeler said. “We filled our cup pinch nan possibility; our mugs pinch delusion. Our plates were empty, but a aureate goose hung complete our heads. Today mightiness beryllium nan day. Today mightiness beryllium nan time I scope nan aureate goose.“

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

But acting alongside “The Karate Kid” stars Macchio, 63, and William Zabka, 59, successful “Cobra Kai” for six seasons was not Henggeler’s only profession high. She besides worked pinch George Clooney for nan actor-turned-director’s 2023 movie “The Boys successful nan Boat.”

“And I’m considered 1 of nan fortunate ones. I was connected a series. A successful series. I made money. My look was connected nan advertisements I longed for 20 positive years,” Henggeler wrote. “I was directed by George Clooney for godsakes. This by each definitions is nan aureate goose.”

“I’m famished,” she added.

Henggeler’s determination to locomotion distant from Hollywood comes months aft “Cobra Kai” came to an extremity connected February 13.

While “Cobra Kai” saw nan return of Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso and Zabka’s Johnny Lawrence, it was acold from nan first “The Karate Kid” sequel – though it was nan first filmed for nan mini screen.

The “Karate Kid” communicative that kicked disconnected nan franchise successful 1984 continued pinch “The Karate Kid Part II” successful 1986 and “The Karate Kid Part III” successful 1989.

A 4th film, “The Next Karate Kid,” was released successful 1994, but only Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) returned for this installment. Hilary Swank besides starred arsenic Julie Pierce.

The original movie received a remake successful 2010. Once again titled “The Karate Kid,” it saw Jaden Smith prima arsenic protagonist Dre Parker and Jackie Chan look arsenic nan mentor Mr. Han.

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

“I’m emotion great, because erstwhile does this happen?” Macchio told The New York Times soon earlier nan show’s finale successful February. “A show based connected a movie from 34 years anterior creating a caller fandom and caller generations of fans astir a franchise. It feels for illustration it’s landing astatine nan correct clip and not overstaying its welcome. I’m excited for fans astir nan world to spot Johnny and Daniel and each nan characters travel successful for a landing.”

“It’s little goodbye for maine and much ‘See you adjacent time,'” he continued. “As each complete nan spot and arsenic large arsenic ‘Cobra Kai’ sewage pinch these brawls and nan accidental deaths and each these zillions of characters, it still was calved retired of Daniel and Johnny’s rivalry and now, successful turn, friendship.”

“And that’s benignant of life imitating creation imitating life,” Macchio added, “not that Billy and I were ever rivals, but we were ne'er arsenic close arsenic we are today.”

“Karate Kid: Legends,” different sequel that will spot Macchio return arsenic Daniel LaRusso and Chan arsenic Mr. Han, is scheduled for merchandise connected May 30. It reportedly takes spot 3 years aft nan events of “Cobra Kai.”