Words by Carol Wright | Photos Courtesy of Griffin Santopietro
We got to chat with actor Griffin Santopietro who plays Anthony LaRusso in the hit series Cobra Kai about working alongside Ralph Macchio and advice he has for aspiring actors.
What initially sparked your interest in acting?
I don’t remember specifically, but I do remember that the minute I finished performing in my first school play that I wanted to do this forever.
Had you seen the Karate Kid films before working on Cobra Kai?
Yes I did. My grandpa would always like to watch “old movies” with me as a kid and The Karate Kid was the one I remember loving.
Can you relate to your character Anthony LaRusso?
Actually, funny enough, I’m really nothing like the character, or at least I like to think so.
What have you learned from working so closely with Ralph Macchio?
I’ve learned a lot, but specifically, I remember watching him and getting to see him tackle a scene and try it different ways, which taught me a lot about acting in general.
Cobra Kai moved to Netflix and quickly became one of the most popular shows on the platform. How has it been for you and the rest of the cast to see the influx of new fans?
It’s really cool to see such a crazy amount of new fans, and it’s so cool that the show is able to introduce a new generation of kids to these movies.
Season three is surely going to be a whirlwind of a season after the big fight in season 2. Is there anything you can tell us about what to expect?
I know. I can’t say much about season three, but I can say that we had a really great time filming it and we’re really excited for fans to see it.
Everyone has recently been in quarantine or still is. What have you been doing to keep yourself entertained?
Well, I recently started school again. But before that I kept myself occupied by talking to my friends 24/7, especially since I wasn’t able to see them in person. I have my family. But it was also nice being able to talk to someone of my friends.
What advice do you have for aspiring actors?
It may sound cheesy, but never give up.