Local teen actor, martial artist appears in ‘Cobra Kai’ series

By TONY FYFFE

BSN Editor

LOUISA — A local karate kid and actor is featured in the current season of the Netflix series “Cobra Kai.”

Shawn Weston Thacker, an eighth grader at Louisa Middle School, plays a dojo student in the third season the series, which is a sequel to “The Karate Kid” films and takes place three decades after the original movie.

Thacker, who spent “many days” working on the show in Atlanta, Ga., has “several important scenes with one or more of the ‘big three’ characters, Daniel LaRusso, Johnny Lawrence, and Kreese,” played by actors Ralph Macchio, William Zabka and Martin Kove, according to a press release.

“Cobra Kai’s” third season began streaming on Netflix Jan. 1. Thacker plays a karate student and appears in four episodes, according to Internet Movie Database.

“Thacker says the experience has been incredible and one of his most rewarding acting jobs to date,” the press release said. “ He was even invited to the cast wrap party when season 3 was finished filming and got to make a special trip back to Atlanta to celebrate with the actors, writers, and directors.”

Thacker, in addition to being an actor and martial artist, is also a dancer, gymnast, pianist and singer.

He has been acting since he was 8 years old. One of his earliest acting jobs was an onstage entertainer at Dollywood Theme Park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., playing the youngest shepherd, Jacob, in the popular show “O Holy Night" for two Christmas seasons. He has also been in musicals at Paramount Arts Center, where he received Rising Star and Audience Favorite awards. He also performed with the Kentucky Opry Junior Pros at the Mountain Arts Center.

Thacker’s other television and film work includes “Stargirl,” “ Annabelle Comes Home,” “The Outsider” and “Council of Dads.” He was “director-picked” for a scene in an upcoming Marvel movie that is scheduled to be released this spring, the release said.