“For years I silenced the voice in my head'', Cobra Kai Actress Courtney Henggeler on quitting her acting career after 2 decades

Netflix's Cobra Kai actress Courtney Henggeler, who has played Amanda LaRusso in the series since 2018, announced quitting her acting career through her Substack.

The actress made her debut in 2003 with the movie The Bog Creatures, and after a career spanning over twenty years, she announced her retirement. Her post reads as follows:

''For years I silenced the voice in my head, begging me to walk away. After 20 plus years of fighting the good fight in the acting business, I hung up my gloves on Friday. 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.''

In addition to Cobra Kai, Courtney Henggeler also played the role of Missy Cooper, Sheldon's sister, in the sitcom The Big Bang Theory.

More on Courtney Henggeler's announcement in our story.

Actress Courtney Henggeler announced quitting her acting career after 20 years

On March 30, 2025, Cobra Kai actress Courtney Henggeler announced via her Substack that she will quit acting after 20 years.

In a heartfelt, candid post, Henggeler wrote:

''The voice, the constant gnawing. Not because of the acting itself. But because of the gauntlet I had to run to reach the acting. What once felt necessary, something I willingly participated, even celebrated, became stifling.''

While Courtney Henggeler has had a colorful acting career, working in successful shows like Cobra Kai, she expressed her frustration with repeated recurring roles and a lack of recognition, even after spending 20 years in the industry:

''All I’ve truly ever knew was the hustle. The hustle, the grind, sprinkled occassionally with the odd acting job. Perhaps a line or two to TV’s Dr. House - “Sorry” (that’s it. That was my line. Genius)...Or a recurring guest-star that never seemed to recur….''

She expressed gratitude for her 20-year acting career, during which she also had the pleasure of being directed by George Clooney. But her frustration is evident in her Substack post, which forced her to take such a drastic step for her future.

A 20-year acting career- exploring actress Courtney Henggeler's roles in films and movies

Although associated with many popular shows on the small screen, Courtney Henggeler is best known for her guest appearances and recurring characters until Netflix's Cobra Kai, which was her breakthrough role.

She landed the role of Amanda LaRusso in the 2018 Cobra Kai, which gained her recognition. Talking about her role in the hit Netflix series, she noted (via her Substack):

''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.''

She is best known for her guest appearances, which include Missy Cooper in The Big Bang Theory, Claudia in Mom, Criminal Minds, House, NCIS, Happy Endings, Jane the Virgin, Into The Dark, Fuller House, and more.

Her movie appearances include Friends With Benefits, Nobody's Fool, Kristin's Christmas Past, Feed, The Boys in the Boat, Do Not Reply, Pilgrim, and many more.

Also Read: Will there be more Cobra Kai spin-offs after Karate Kid: Legends?

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