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Fox News
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
‘Cobra Kai' actress quits Hollywood after 20 years of surviving 'off the crumbs'
"Cobra Kai" actress Courtney Henggeler is making a bold exit from Hollywood. With more than two decades of acting experience in the cutthroat industry, Henggeler, 46, admitted that she's "tapping out." "After 20 plus years of fighting the good fight in the acting business, I hung up my gloves," she recently wrote in a Substack blog post. "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." She pointed out her desire to "be the machine" herself, with more control over her career and life. Henggeler, who's best known for her role as Amanda LaRusso in Netflix's "Cobra Kai," starred alongside "The Karate Kid" alums Ralph Macchio, 63, and William Zabka, 59. Her character is Macchio's on-screen wife in the series. WATCH: RALPH MACCHIO ON THE 'LEGACY CAST' OF 'KARATE KID,' FINAL SEASON OF 'COBRA KAI' She was a rising star in her 20s, landing small roles on popular shows, including "House," "NCIS" and "The Big Bang Theory." Despite these appearances, Henggeler recalled only truly knowing "the hustle" of Hollywood instead of the "art or craft of acting." "We survived off the crumbs. We filled our cup with the possibility; our mugs with delusion. Our plates were empty, but a golden goose hung over our heads. Today might be the day. Today might be the day I reach the golden goose," she remarked. "20 plus years of this. I'm hungry." "We survived off the crumbs. We filled our cup with the possibility; our mugs with delusion. Our plates were empty, but a golden goose hung over our heads." While Henggeler considered herself "one of the lucky ones," as she reflected on being on billboards and being directed by George Clooney, she described those experiences as the definition of "golden goose." Henggeler worked with Clooney for his 2023 film, "The Boys in the Boat." "For years I silenced the voice in my head, begging me to walk away," she 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." WATCH: 'COBRA KAI' STAR RALPH MACCHIO SHARES KEY TO HIS SUCCESSFUL 38-YEAR MARRIAGE Henggeler's decision to step away from Hollywood comes after "Cobra Kai" wrapped its sixth and final season in February. During the "Cobra Kai" season 6 part 3 red-carpet finale premiere event, Macchio told Fox News Digital staying "out of Hollywood" is the secret to his successful marriage to his wife of 38 years. "I've always kept one foot in and one foot out," Macchio remarked. He credited his wife, Phyllis Fierro, 64, who "grounds and elevates" him and their kids. Macchio met his wife when he was 15 years old. The couple tied the knot in August 1987. Several years later, they welcomed their daughter, Julia, in 1992 and son, Daniel, in 1995.
Fox News
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
'Cobra Kai' star Ralph Macchio says staying 'out of Hollywood' is key to 38-year marriage
Ralph Macchio is sharing the secret to his successful marriage to his wife of 38 years. During the "Cobra Kai" season 6 part 3 red-carpet finale premiere event, the actor said the key is to "stay out of Hollywood." "I've always kept one foot in and one foot out," Macchio, 63, told Fox News Digital. He credited his wife, Phyllis Fierro, 64, who "grounds and elevates" him and their kids. Macchio met his wife when he was 15 years old. The couple tied the knot in August 1987. Several years later, they welcomed their daughter, Julia, in 1992 and son, Daniel, in 1995. WATCH: 'COBRA KAI' STAR RALPH MACCHIO SHARES KEY TO HIS SUCCESSFUL 38-YEAR MARRIAGE Julia has followed in her father's acting footsteps, as she appeared alongside Macchio in seasons 4 and 5 of Netflix's hit show, "Cobra Kai." Julia told Fox News Digital working with her dad has "been such a blessing." "He's the best dad. He's so supportive… I've loved every second… I admire his work ethic and how he handles himself on a set and off of a set," she said. WATCH: RALPH MACCHIO ON THE 'LEGACY CAST' OF 'KARATE KID,' FINAL SEASON OF 'COBRA KAI' Julia added, "I've learned a lot from watching him work and just seeing how he conducts himself… it's how I wanted to work as well. So, he's been a wonderful role model for me." Since 2018, Macchio has been starring on the sequel series to the movie "The Karate Kid," which follows former enemies Daniel LaRusso (Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) as they open rival dojos. WATCH: MARIO LOPEZ SAYS 'KARATE KID' IS HIS GENERATION'S 'ROCKY' Macchio told Fox News Digital that he didn't expect "The Karate Kid" to be one of the biggest franchises of all time. "I would love to say I knew it all along. I didn't know this much. I knew that Pat Morita and myself had something special there, and William Zabka, Elisabeth Shue… the cast felt strong," he remarked. "No one could predict the level of success of that film, let alone this. This is beyond. But that's because we care so much. The writers give so much to the young cast, as well as the legacy cast, if you will." WATCH: ROBYN LIVELY ON BEING PART OF 'COBRA KAI': 'A DREAM COME TRUE' Last summer, "The Karate Kid" celebrated its 40th anniversary. The movie starred Hollywood newcomers Macchio and Zabka, as well as seasoned veterans, such as Morita and Martin Kove. Originally released in 1984, the film focuses on the new kid in town, LaRusso, as he struggles to find his footing and accidentally steps on the toes of the town's biggest bully, Lawrence. He then finds himself taken under the wing of the older and wiser Mr. Miyagi (Morita), who teaches him how to defend himself and when to use his fists. Despite showcasing his karate skills on screen for decades, Macchio admitted to Fox News Digital he's never been in a fight in real life. "I've never been. I've always negotiated myself out," the actor laughed. "I've had a push-shove match, a punch here or there, but as far as… a schoolyard fight or a street fight, I figure myself out of those. So far, now that I put that out there, I might be in trouble." "Cobra Kai" season 6 part 3 is available to stream on Netflix.
