Ranking the Cobra Kai cast's net worths, from franchise OGs to young breakout stars
The richest member of the Cobra Kai cast is Ralph Macchio, with an estimated net worth of $8 million — double what co-star William Zabka has accumulated and more than four times what the show's youngest breakout players are worth. As both lead actor and executive producer, Macchio turned a nostalgia-driven franchise revival into one of the most lucrative second acts in Hollywood history.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Ralph Macchio is the wealthiest Cobra Kai cast member at $8 million, driven by his dual role as lead actor and executive producer.
- Peyton List is the richest of the younger-generation cast with a net worth of $7 million, buoyed by her pre-show Disney fame.
- The lead actors both earned $100,000 per episode for the first two seasons, with salaries likely rising significantly for later Netflix runs.
- Thomas Ian Griffith, who plays villain Terry Silver, holds an estimated net worth of $5 million — making him the wealthiest franchise OG outside the top two.
- The Cobra Kai cast's net worths range from $2 million (Tanner Buchanan) to $8 million (Ralph Macchio), reflecting the gulf between legacy stars and younger ensemble players.
How we ranked the Cobra Kai cast
Net worth estimates are drawn from Celebrity Net Worth, with additional context from industry sources including The Richest. Where estimates vary across sources, we use the most commonly cited consensus figure. Rankings reflect each actor's total estimated wealth, not their per-episode salary or screen time.
Summary table
Actor | Character | Net Worth (est.) | Notable credits |
Ralph Macchio | Daniel LaRusso | $8M | The Karate Kid (1984), Cobra Kai (2018–2025) |
Peyton List | Tory Nichols | $7M | Jessie (Disney), Cobra Kai |
Thomas Ian Griffith | Terry Silver | $5M | The Karate Kid Part III (1989), Cobra Kai |
William Zabka | Johnny Lawrence | $4M | The Karate Kid (1984), Cobra Kai |
Martin Kove | John Kreese | $2M | The Karate Kid (1984), Rambo: First Blood Part II |
Xolo Maridueña | Miguel Diaz | $2M | Cobra Kai, Blue Beetle (2023) |
Jacob Bertrand | Eli "Hawk" Moskowitz | $2M | Kirby Buckets, Cobra Kai |
Mary Mouser | Samantha LaRusso | $2M | Body of Proof, Cobra Kai |
Tanner Buchanan | Robby Keene | $2M | Cobra Kai, He's All That (2021) |
Cobra Kai cast net worth rankings
Here is every major Cobra Kai cast member ranked from lowest to highest estimated net worth, from the youngest ensemble players to the franchise veterans who started it all.
9. Tanner Buchanan ($2 million)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Tanner Buchanan
- Date of birth: 8 December 1998
- Age: 27 (as of October 2026)
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Actor
- Role: Robby Keene
- Net worth: $2 million
- Instagram: @tannerbuchanan
Tanner Buchanan joined Cobra Kai in its very first season and remained a series regular through all six seasons. Robby Keene was one of the show's most commercially useful younger roles, carrying major emotional weight and constant proximity to Johnny Lawrence's story.
While some sources have cited a lower entry point, tracking resources place Tanner Buchanan's net worth at approximately $2 million, putting him on equal footing with several of his young co-stars. Outside Cobra Kai, he starred in the Netflix rom-com He's All That (2021), which broadened his profile with younger audiences.
8. Mary Mouser ($2 million)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Mary Mouser
- Date of birth: 9 May 1996
- Age: 30 (as of October 2026)
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Actress
- Role: Samantha LaRusso
- Net worth: $2 million
- Instagram: @marymouser
Among all the young actors in the Cobra Kai cast, Mary Mouser boasts some of the largest acting experience, with roles in Body of Proof, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, and other projects before the show launched.
Samantha LaRusso remained central across the full run, which matters financially — long-term core cast members benefit from steady salary growth, stronger recognition, and the kind of repeat visibility that turns a franchise role into genuine career infrastructure.
7. Jacob Bertrand ($2 million)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Jacob Bertrand
- Date of birth: 14 December 1999
- Age: 26 (as of October 2026)
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Actor
- Role: Eli "Hawk" Moskowitz
- Net worth: $2 million
- Instagram: @jacobbertrand
Jacob Bertrand's arc as Eli "Hawk" Moskowitz — from bullied outsider to mohawked Cobra Kai enforcer to eventual hero — became one of the series' most beloved character journeys. Fans also know him for his work on Kirby Buckets and as a voice actor in animated films like Rise of the Guardians and ParaNorman.
He has earned an estimated net worth of $2 million, matching several of his young co-stars despite Hawk's enduring fan-favourite status across all six seasons.
6. Xolo Maridueña ($2 million)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Ramario Xolo Ramirez (stage name: Xolo Maridueña)
- Date of birth: 9 June 2001
- Age: 25 (as of October 2026)
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Actor
- Role: Miguel Diaz
- Net worth: $2 million
- Instagram: @xolo_mariduena
Xolo Maridueña ranks as one of the revival's most crucial success factors — Miguel Diaz is where old-school nostalgia and new-generation audience investment first really connect, making Xolo Maridueña one of the most important younger actors in the entire franchise.
With a reported $70,000 per episode from Cobra Kai, Maridueña's net worth is estimated at $2 million, largely fuelled by his breakthrough performances in both Cobra Kai and the hit film Blue Beetle (2023).
5. Martin Kove ($2 million)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Martin Kove
- Date of birth: 6 March 1946
- Age: 80 (as of October 2026)
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Actor
- Role: John Kreese
- Net worth: $2 million
- Instagram: @martin_kove
Martin Kove is an American actor with an estimated net worth of $2 million, best known for his role as antagonist John Kreese in the Karate Kid media franchise. He has also appeared in Death Race 2000, Rambo: First Blood Part II, Wyatt Earp, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
As of 2026, Kove's net worth reflects decades of consistent TV and film roles, royalty streams, convention appearances, and modern streaming success thanks to Cobra Kai. His Kreese character appeared in 56 episodes of the show.
4. William Zabka ($4 million)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: William Michael Zabka
- Date of birth: 20 October 1965
- Age: 61 (as of October 2026)
- Nationality: American
- Height: 6 ft 0.5 in (184 cm)
- Profession: Actor, producer, director, screenwriter
- Role: Johnny Lawrence
- Net worth: $4 million
- Instagram: @williamzabka
William Zabka has a net worth of $4 million USD, with income generated through film and television acting, producing, screenwriting, directing, royalties from the Karate Kid franchise, endorsements, and public appearances.
Zabka reportedly earned $100,000 per episode for the first two seasons of Cobra Kai, totalling about $1 million per season — and since the show's move to Netflix, its massive popularity has likely increased his salary. He also serves as co-executive producer on the series alongside Macchio. Outside Cobra Kai, William Zabka was nominated for an Academy Award for the Czech short film Most.
3. Thomas Ian Griffith ($5 million)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Thomas Ian Griffith
- Date of birth: 18 March 1962
- Age: 64 (as of October 2026)
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Actor, martial artist, writer, producer
- Role: Terry Silver
- Net worth: $5 million
- Instagram: @thomasiangriffit
Thomas Ian Griffith is the stealth wealth story of the entire Cobra Kai cast. From the latest reports available, Thomas has an estimated net worth of around $5 million — a figure that reflects both his return as Terry Silver in Cobra Kai and decades of work as an actor, martial artist, writer, and producer.
Originally cast as villain Terry Silver in The Karate Kid Part III (1989), Griffith reprised the role for 28 episodes of Cobra Kai, becoming one of the show's most menacing antagonists. While estimates range from $2 million to $10 million, the most plausible figure based on verified data puts his wealth at $3.5–$5 million in 2026.
2. Peyton List ($7 million)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Peyton Roi List
- Date of birth: 6 April 1998
- Age: 28 (as of October 2026)
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Actress, model
- Role: Tory Nichols
- Net worth: $7 million
- Instagram: @peytonlist
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Peyton List has a net worth of $7 million — the highest among the young Cobra Kai cast members. That figure predates the series itself: List built her financial base through years of Disney Channel work before she was ever cast as Tory Nichols.
She entered the series with a stronger celebrity base than most co-stars and then gained one of the franchise's most memorable younger roles. Her portfolio spans 55 total projects, making her the most experienced performer among the younger ensemble.
1. Ralph Macchio ($8 million)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Ralph Macchio
- Date of birth: 4 November 1961
- Age: 65 (as of October 2026)
- Nationality: American
- Height: 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
- Profession: Actor, television producer
- Role: Daniel LaRusso
- Net worth: $8 million
- Instagram: @ralphmacchio
Ralph Macchio is an American TV and film actor with a net worth of $8 million, who became a cultural icon through his role as Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid (1984) — a role that defined his career and influenced popular culture.
The most significant boost to his net worth in recent years has come from Cobra Kai — as both a lead actor and executive producer, Macchio benefited from the show's success across streaming platforms, with his dual role likely increasing his earnings compared to a standard acting contract.
The actor reportedly earned $100,000 per episode during the first two seasons, starting at $1 million per season. Given that salary increases are common in multi-season shows, he likely received a significant pay rise by season six.
Reflecting on the cast's connection, Ralph Macchio shared:
...the chemistry just there's something special about all of our original casts from the original films that come back in there's just that you share this spirit this um chemistry and connection
FAQs
Who is the most paid actor in Cobra Kai?
Ralph Macchio is widely regarded as the highest-paid actor in Cobra Kai. Macchio and Zabka are the two highest-profile actors in the show because of their roles in The Karate Kid, and their status as executive producers further increases their salary. Both reportedly earned $100,000 per episode for the first two seasons, working out to around $1 million per season each.
Who is richer — Terry Silver or Daniel LaRusso?
In real life, Ralph Macchio (Daniel LaRusso) is richer than Thomas Ian Griffith (Terry Silver). Macchio has an estimated net worth of $8 million, while Griffith's estimated net worth sits at around $5 million. That said, Griffith ranks third on this list — well above several cast members with more screen time.
How much money has Cobra Kai made for Netflix?
Netflix doesn't disclose exact revenue per show, but the numbers are significant. According to Nielsen, the series ranked in the Netflix Top 10 22 times since joining the streamer in 2020, cracked the Netflix Top 10 for originals 37 times, and in 2024 alone accumulated 8.5 billion viewing minutes. Netflix carried out the story at an estimated $2 to $3 million per episode, making Cobra Kai one of its more expensive productions.
Who is the most famous actor in Cobra Kai?
By any reasonable measure, Ralph Macchio holds that title. The Karate Kid series brought him fame and financial success in the 1980s, and the franchise has seen a resurgence with the Cobra Kai series on Netflix, which introduced Macchio to a new generation of fans. With 65 episodes across the full run and his name on the executive producer credits, his cultural footprint dwarfs that of any other cast member.
Did Cobra Kai's viewership grow or decline over time?
It grew dramatically after joining Netflix, then tapered slightly at the end. Netflix bought the streaming rights to Cobra Kai in June 2020, and demand for the show skyrocketed 110%, according to data from Parrot Analytics. Season 6 Part 1 hit 14.8 million views in its first four days, though the final episodes drew a lower 5.9 million views, and Season 6 has struggled to match previous seasons' viewing figures since its July 2024 debut.
We also highlighted facts about the richest cast members on Next Gen NYC, including their estimated net worths and the family fortunes behind them.
Hudson McLeroy's father built a billion-dollar fortune co-founding Zaxby's, while castmate Charlie Zakkour filed for bankruptcy despite his family's reported wealth.
Source: Legit.ng
