Who played Tommy on Cobra Kai? Actor's career and notable projects, explored

Cobra Kai, a spin-off series to The Karate Kid film franchise, bought back many iconic characters and actors from the original film.

One of them was actor Rob Garrison, who reprised his character of Tommy from the original film in the spin-off's Season 2.

Tommy dies in Season 2, which aired on YouTube Premium in April 2019, and unfortunately, Garrison also passed away, months after his character's death, in September 2019.

Known for The Karate Kid parts 1 and 2, Garrison died in September 2019 in West Virginia Hospital, where he was admitted for kidney-related issues. He died after his organs shut off.

More on Cobra Kai actor Rob Garrison's career and legacy in our story.

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Which other roles have Cobra Kai actor Rob Garrison played in his career so far?

After his first brush with acting in Wheeling Park High School, Cobra Kai star Rob Garrison studied theatre on a scholarship at Ohio University. After graduating, he appeared in a small role in the 1980 film Brubaker.

His breakthrough role was as Tommy in the 1984 film The Karate Kid. Interestingly, he first auditioned for the role of Johnny but was eventually cast as Tommy.

His classic line, 'Get him a body bag!' during the final fight between Daniel DaRusso and Johnny in the film was not a part of the script (via Wikipedia), as he discussed later:

"My famous line, I never said that while filming. I looped that in two months later. I was in the recording booth with John [Avildsen] and he said he needed two seconds of something. I said, 'Get him a body bag!' on the first try. John said 'That's going to be a classic. You'll never be forgotten because of that line.'"

He later reprised his character for a cameo in The Karate Kid Part 2 and Cobra Kai Season 2.

His other TV roles include St. Elsewhere, Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, Tour of Duty, and many more.

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Exploring Tommy's Cobra Kai Legacy

Tommy's death in Cobra Kai Season 2 became even more painful for his fans as Garrison passed away five months after his appearance in the spin-off.

After Tommy's character in the original film, he appeared much calmer and more mature in the spin-off Season 2.

After Johnny and the other Cobras learn that Tommy is dying from cancer, they decide to take a final camping trip with his friend. At the campfire, Tommy finally reveals his crush on Ali to Johnny, but he doesn't let that come within the friends because she is already dating Johnny at that time.

Tommy died in Season 2 Episode 6, 'Take A Right' after the Cobras discover him dead in his sleep. They later call an ambulance, and he is taken into a body bag, which was coincidentally Garrison's last appearance on TV.

According to a ScreenRant report, Cobra Kai producer Jon Hurwitz wanted to bring back Garrison for Season 3 in flashbacks to keep his legacy alive, but unfortunately, Garrison died shortly after Season 2 aired.

While Garrison could not make it to Season 3, the makers included a subtle nod to Tommy's legacy when Robby finds an article about the All Valley tournament in 1983. It mentioned that Tommy fought against Johnny in the finals and lost.

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