The Youngest Cast Member on ‘Cobra Kai’ Is a Different Actor Thanks to the Show

The following Career Dispatch essay was written by Dallas Dupree Young, who stars as Kenny on Season 4 of the hit Netflix series “Cobra Kai.” The new season is streaming Dec. 31. 

When people see that I’m a 15-year-old actor who has been cast on a popular Netflix series like “Cobra Kai,” they might think that I have “arrived.” However I don’t view it as the finish line. I see it as another great beginning in a series of many beginnings of my journey. Being a part of this franchise has, so far, taught me so much about acting, this strange business, and my career overall. 

One of the most crucial lessons I’ve learned so far has actually come from our “Cobra Kai” stunt coordinator, Don Lee. He has taught me to never allow fear to control your mind. Watching him, I have also come to realize that my mind is the strongest part of my body. And that certainly doesn’t just pertain to karate; it pertains to our everyday lives. Whether you’re trying something new, feeling afraid to follow your dreams, or even just considering going on a rollercoaster, don’t let fear prevent you from taking a leap of faith. 

If you put in 100% of your time into the work, you will get results. 

I knew being the youngest cast member on set would encourage me to hone my craft, but I didn’t anticipate how much I would also learn about professionalism. Watching my talented, more experienced (and intuitive) co-stars made me strive to be more focused. But watching them, I also saw how much value there is in being kind, and in always taking care of your peers—especially newcomers, like I was. 

I remember my first day on set, my nerves controlling my body, sweat dripping down my face. I was repetitively going through my lines. One cast member took the time to welcome me; it was a small gesture that meant the world. Right then and there, my mind was put a little more at ease. 

Another lesson I got to learn firsthand working on this show is an obvious one but it can’t be overstated: It’s the importance of hard work and dedication. Watching the “Cobra Kai” cast and crew work, I was inspired to spend countless hours training in martial arts, whole nights studying scripts and researching famed martial artists like Bruce Lee and Wesley Snipes. All of this was invaluable in helping me develop better technique in all my fight scenes, which are so important to the integrity of this show. 

As time has gone on in my still-blooming career, I began to feel more comfortable with putting these lessons into practice in my performances. In the beginning, I would approach training, work, and life, really, with guns blazing. But I have since come to the realization that it’s not just about how quickly you accomplish the task. It is about the precision, the technique, and the nuances. All of that is what leads to a beautiful finished product. 

So, with the new season of “Cobra Kai” on the horizon, my advice to all of my fellow actors, new, experienced, or somewhere between, is this: Don’t rush to the finish line. Slow down and take full advantage of your experiences.