Let’s get real: The Karate Kid is more than a movie franchise—It’s a cultural touchstone. From the crane kick to “wax on, wax off,” the saga has been a generational touchstone, and with Cobra Kai fueling the fire, nostalgia has never burned more brightly. But as the saga marches onward, it’s with a tinge of sadness to recall the amazing actors who helped make this universe so rich and are no longer with us. Grab your gi and maybe a tissue—we’re looking back (in reverse order, of course) at 11 Karate Kid stars whose legacies still hit hard even after their passing.
11. Chad McQueen
Chad McQueen, the bleach-blond hothead known as Dutch in Cobra Kai, died at 63 from organ failure. Although he was seen in both of the Karate Kid movies, he never made it back to Cobra Kai, opting instead to pursue a racing career like his dad, Steve McQueen. Aside from acting in over 25 productions, Chad established a legacy in racing that endures through his business, McQueen Racing, which is carried on today by his children.
10. Ed Asner
Before appearing as Johnny Lawrence’s cranky stepfather, Si, on Cobra Kai, Ed Asner had already established one of the greatest TV careers on record. With seven Emmys and iconic performances such as Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Asner continued working until the time of his death in 2021 at the age of 91. His short but sweet run in the Karate Kid franchise was just another element to include in his legendary career.
9. Frances Bay
To fans, she was both Mrs. Milo from Part III and the “Lady with Dog” from The Karate Kid. Frances Bay was the quintessential “hey, it’s her!” actress. Having left Hollywood to start a family, she had a phenomenal comeback that saw her crop up in everything from Happy Gilmore to Seinfeld. She continued to act until her passing in 2011, and her affable yet eccentric presence enhanced every role.
8. Joseph V. Perry
Uncle Louie in The Karate Kid Part III was a minor role, but Joseph V. Perry had a career spanning decades in television. He was a fixture in such classics as Gunsmoke and I Dream of Jeannie, and was later a household name as Nemo, the pizza parlor owner, on Everybody Loves Raymond. He worked right up until his 2000 death, leaving behind decades of consistent, sincere performances.
7. Jan Triska
Jan Triska’s brief stint as Milos, butler to Terry Silver in Part III, was a small part of his larger-than-life true story. A renowned Czech actor who protested Soviet rule, Triska achieved stardom in Europe and Hollywood after leaving Czechoslovakia. He died in 2017 after a tragic fall in Prague, but his bravery and talent remain part of his amazing legacy.
6. Diana Webster
Diana Webster was Margaret, Terry Silver’s secretary, in Part III—a quick-blink role for a decades-long career. A Manchester, England-born actress, she was a ubiquitous face on U.S. television, frequently cast as secretaries, nurses, and supporting players who added realism to each scene. She passed away in 2010 at the age of 86, leaving a body of work that quietly stood behind numerous shows.
5. James “Bud” Ekins
Although he made a brief cameo as Jack Russell in The Next Karate Kid, James “Bud” Ekins is better known and remembered as one of Hollywood’s finest stuntmen. He doubled for Steve McQueen in The Great Escape and Bullitt and worked on action classics such as The Blues Brothers. In three decades of stunts, he retired and died in 2007. His daredevil attitude lives on in every movie chase that is indebted to him.
4. Rob Garrison
Rob Garrison’s role as Tommy—immortalized by the line “Get him a body bag!”—made him one of Cobra Kai’s most memorable bullies. After years of acting on TV and the stage, he returned for an emotional cameo in Cobra Kai’s second season, paralleling his health struggles. He passed away in 2019, and tributes from fans and castmates alike showed just how loved he was.
3. Nobu McCarthy
As Yukie, Mr. Miyagi’s long-lost love in Part II, Nobu McCarthy brought warmth and heart to the story. Beyond the franchise, she was a trailblazer for Asian American representation, serving as artistic director of East West Players and paving the way for future actors. She died in 2002 at 67, leaving behind a legacy of both performance and advocacy.
2. Danny Kamekona
Danny Kamekona played Sato, the Okinawan nemesis of Miyagi in Part II, having spent years of television experience on Hawaii Five-0 and Magnum, P.I. He provided the sequel with its emotional pull, adding texture to the Okinawan drama. He was discovered dead in 1996, but his performances remain paramount as examples of accurate representation.
1. Pat Morita
No list concludes with anyone but Pat Morita. As Mr. Miyagi, he went from comedian to cultural icon, earning an Oscar nomination and becoming the heart of The Karate Kid. He died in 2005 at age 73 from complications related to alcoholism, but his influence cannot be measured. His lessons, his humor, and his generosity—both in front of and behind the camera—are things that make him a legend whose spirit will never diminish.
These actors no longer tread the dojo floor, but their work made The Karate Kid the enduring phenomenon it is today. And whenever Cobra Kai lands on Netflix, their legacy lives on, reminding us that the greatest legacies never pass on.