R.I.P. ‘Karate Kid’ Star Robert Garrison Dies After Long Health Battle
He spent the past month in a West Virginia hospital after suffering kidney issues.
Sept. 27 2019, Published 6:15 p.m. ET
The Karate Kid star Robert Garrison has died, RadarOnline.com has learned.
According to media reports, Garrison’s death wasn’t a surprise, as the 59-year-old was reportedly dealing with kidney and liver issues and had spent the past month in a West Virginia hospital.
Garrison’s career began in the 70’s, but he wouldn’t truly find fame until the 1984 release of The Karate Kid, starring a young Ralph Macchio.
As Tommy, Garrison played a friend of bad apple Johnny Lawrence. He's also a fellow student at the Cobra Kai dojo, and becomes the third Cobra Kai member to be defeated by Maccio’s Daniel in the All Valley Under-18 Karate Championships tournament.
After appearances in St. Elsewhere, Columbo, Coach and even The Karate Kid, Part II, his acting career stalled in 1991, and he moved back to his hometown of Wheeling, West Virginia, where he continued to look for work as an actor while also managing a local restaurant.
Tommy returned for Season 1 of the streaming sequel Cobra Kai, when Johnny accuses Mr. Miyagi of giving his friend brain damage while protecting Daniel from the Cobra Kai gang back in 1984.
In Season 2, Tommy, terminally Ill from cancer, passes away.
Garrison is survived by his brother, Patrick, and Patrick's wife, Linda. Funeral arrangements are still being worked out.
In what would become his final tweet, Garrison in April thanked his fans for their support.
“Thanks everyone for your wonderful comments on my appearance in COBRA KAI,” he tweeted. “Makes me feel great. Had a wonderful time doing it.”
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