Cobra Kai creator shares touching behind the scenes look at Ralph Macchio's final day on set: "Goodbye for now"

Cobra Kai season 6
(Image credit: Netflix)

Grab your tissues Cobra Kai fans, things are about to get a whole lot more upsetting as series creator Jon Hurwitz has shared the most heart-wrenching behind-the-scenes photo and farewell to star Ralph Macchio.

Hurwitz posted the image on Twitter which shows Macchio and his in-show wife Courtney Henggeler embracing after shooting their last scene for the series. "Goodbye for now, Mr. & Mrs. LaRusso. This was the moment after Ralph & Courtney finished filming their final scene," said Hurwitz. "Not a lot of eyes were dry." Check out the post below.

The hit Netflix series saw Macchio reprise his role as Daniel LaRusso, who he first played in the 1984 movie The Karate Kid. Cobra Kai follows the rivalry between Daniel and his All Valley Karate Tournament opponent Johnny Lawrence over 30 years after the events of the original movie. But now it's time to say goodbye as the show recently came to an end with its sixth and final season – see our Cobra Kai ending explained for more on that.

But this isn't the only farewell the show included, as Cobra Kai season 6 part 3 paid tribute to Karate Kid icon Mr. Miyagi. Using AI and VFX technology, the series was able to include the late Pat Morita’s karate teacher so that Daniel could have one final lesson from Miyagi.

However, Cobra Kai's ending doesn't equal Daniel’s end, as Macchio will soon return to the big screen in Karate Kid: Legends. The movie follows kung fu prodigy Li Fong who moves to New York and struggles to fit in, so he enters a karate competition. With help from Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han and Macchio’s LaRusso, Li must learn how to merge the two fighting styles into one. The movie hits theaters on May 30, 2025.

Cobra Kai is streaming now on Netflix in its entirety – make sure to read our Cobra Kai season 6 part 3 review before watching. For more, check out our lists of the best Netflix movies and the best Netflix shows to stream right now.

Editorial Associate, GamesRadar+

I am an Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, covering TV and film for SFX and Total Film online. I have a Bachelors Degree in Media Production and Journalism and a Masters in Fashion Journalism from UAL. In the past I have written for local UK and US newspaper outlets such as the Portland Tribune and York Mix and worked in communications, before focusing on film and entertainment writing. I am a HUGE horror fan and in 2022 I created my very own single issue feminist horror magazine.  

Read more
Cobra Kai
Ralph Macchio explains how the emotional, nostalgic ending of Cobra Kai is a perfect send-off for the franchise: "It's a big, fat, warm embrace and in a world that isn't always warm and embracing"
Ralph Macchio in Cobra Kai
Ralph Macchio talks “paying the legacy forward” in the new Karate Kid movie: “It’s been the gift that keeps on giving”
Ralph Macchio in Cobra Kai
Cobra Kai creators explain how they included a major Karate Kid character in the final season: "We’re paying homage to a hero"
Cobra Kai
Cobra Kai's emotional first trailer for the final five episodes of the Netflix show is a poignant look back at 40 years of Karate Kid history
Cobra Kai
Cobra Kai season 6 ending explained: who wins, who dies, and does it set up Karate Kid: Legends?
Cobra Kai
Cobra Kai creator reveals a major cut finale moment – and it involves one of the Netflix series' big unanswered questions
Latest in Action Shows
Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock in Daredevil: Born Again
Daredevil: Born Again fan compiles all the teasers the show hasn't used yet, and it seems Wilson Fisk's scariest scene is still to come
Bullseye in Daredevil: Born Again trailer
Daredevil: Born Again fans have a Bullseye and Punisher theory after Frank Castle's appearance in the latest episode
Daredevil: Born Again
Frank Castle and Matt Murdock's reunion in Daredevil: Born Again was originally meant to happen in a later episode
Angela Del Toro as White Tiger in Marvel Comics
Who is Angela in Daredevil: Born Again?
Daredevil
Netflix boss says Marvel was "thrifty" about its Defenders shows: "We wanted to make great television; they wanted to make money"
Muse
Who is Muse and who is playing him in Daredevil: Born Again?
Latest in News
Pokemon TCG Pocket
Pokemon TCG Pocket is getting yet another new expansion as the addition of shinies and Gen 9 Pokemon keep free-to-play players drowning in new cards to collect
Yasuke pets a dog in the hideout in Assassin's Creed Shadows
Assassin's Creed Shadows lets you add dozens of cute animals to your hideout, and all you have to do is pet them
Lenovo Legion Go S with Steam Big Picture Mode on screen with pink and blue lights in backdrop.
Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS pre-orders are now live, and I'm hoping it's a second wind for the handheld
Dichen Lachman as Gemma in Severance season 2
One Severance season 2 fan theory gives even bleaker meaning to Mark S's Cold Harbor mission
Xenomorph in Alien: Earth
Alien: Earth gets "suspenseful" teaser in behind-closed-doors showcase of Noah Hawley’s new sci-fi show
Assassin's Creed Shadows protagonist Yasuke
Joining the chorus of positive reviews, Baldur's Gate 3 developer says Assassin's Creed Shadows has the series' best combat "in years"