April 16, 2025: Courtney Henggeler, widely recognized for her role as Amanda LaRusso in Cobra Kai, has decided to retire from acting after a fulfilling 20-year career. The actress made the announcement through a post on Substack, revealing that she had officially “hung up her gloves” after two decades of working in the entertainment industry.
In her post, Henggeler shared that she had called her agents to inform them that she was stepping away from acting. Reflecting on her time in the business, she noted that while acting had been her career, what she had truly experienced over the years was the “hustle” and “grind” of the industry. She expressed a desire to move beyond being just a part of the system, stating that she no longer wanted to be “a cog in the wheel of the machine.” Instead, she aspired to “be the machine” and forge her own path outside of acting.
Henggeler’s most prominent role came as Amanda LaRusso in Cobra Kai, a role she held throughout the show’s six seasons. The show, which initially debuted on YouTube Red before moving to Netflix, concluded after seven years in February. Henggeler was a key part of the show’s success, which became a massive hit globally.
Looking back on her career, Henggeler shared humorous anecdotes of her time in the industry, including small roles and guest appearances, such as a one-liner on House, a role that didn’t make much of an impact but contributed to her journey. She compared the acting world to an unending cycle of hustle, grind, and occasional success.
Though she’s stepping away from acting, Henggeler recently appeared in George Clooney’s The Boys in the Boat and had a lasting impact on fans with her memorable role in Cobra Kai.
Her decision marks the end of an era for the actress, who has decided to explore new opportunities and take on different creative ventures, embracing a new chapter in her life.