Cobra Kai has become one of Ree Drummond's favorite shows over the last couple of seasons. That's largely due to its' nostalgic storyline (fans of the Karate Kid franchise, rise up), neat filming locations, and of course, amazing cast. Speaking of the cast, we feel more than lucky to have iconic Karate Kid old-timers like Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) return some decades later for Cobra Kai. And we love watching them come full circle, guiding a new generation of karate students—such as Miguel Diaz!
We were initially introduced to Miguel as an outcast with a sweet soul who finds himself as the target of some local bullies. Being taken under the wing of Johnny Lawrence himself, we watch as Miguel is introduced to the world of martial arts, and how he's able to use these new skills to defend himself going forward. Miguel has easily become a fan-favorite throughout the series, which means it's worth becoming acquainted with the actor who plays him: Xolo Maridueña.
There's lots to know about Xolo! And while we can't wait to watch him in the sixth season of Cobra Kai, he has some other cool projects coming up! Like, did you know he's the star of the Blue Beetle, the new super hero movie based on the DC comics?! Read on for everything you need to know about Xolo, including how he began acting and what other movies and shows he's appeared in.
How did Xolo Maridueña become an actor?
Xolo comes from a family of artists and creatives (his father is a music producer and his mother is a radio host), so it's not too shocking that he found his way into acting. His first big gig was a role on the popular family drama series Parenthood at just 11 years old. Xolo told Teen Vogue in a recent interview that he accepted the job mainly to earn money for college. Acting didn't seem like a long-term option—until Cobra Kai came along.
How old was (and is) Xolo Maridueña in 'Cobra Kai'?
Xolo is currently 22 years old. The actor was 16 years old when he first started his role as Miguel back in 2018.
Who will Xolo Maridueña play in 'Blue Beetle'?
He'll be playing Jamie Reyes, a recent college grad who sees himself returning to his life in hometown, Palmera City, Texas. Similar to Miguel from Cobra Kai, Jamie leads a regular life, until one day he is chosen for something greater: To become the next host of the Scarab, an alien with advanced technology and powers. Not really having a choice, Jamie must learn how to conquer his new role, while also figuring out how to work his amazing new "super suit," the Blue Beetle. From there, Jamie will fight all sorts of evil—saving his loved ones, and pretty much the rest of the world from a potential catastrophe.
What other shows and movies has Xolo Maridueña appeared in?
Since Cobra Kai, Xolo has landed notable appearances in a handful of television shows. He featured in the animated TV series Victor and Valentino as Zaid in 2020. He recently featured in TV series Batwheels, and of course, will star in Blue Beetle.
Josiah Soto is the assistant editor of news and social for The Pioneer Woman. He helps manage the website’s social channels, in addition to writing high-performing news and entertainment content daily.
