Mary Mouser

Mary Matilyn Mouser (born May 9, 1996) is an American actress who is best known for her portrayal of Samantha "Sam" LaRusso, the daughter of the original Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso, in the Netflix series Cobra Kai. She was also the voice of Eloise in Eloise: The Animated Series and Lacey Fleming on the ABC series Body of Proof. Mouser took over the role of Karen Grant, Fitz & Mellie's daughter on Scandal in Season 4. She is also known as an influencer on TikTok and YouTube.

Early life and career Mouser was born on May 9, 1996. She was featured on the Starz Kids & Family series Eloise: The Animated Series as the voice of Eloise and appeared as the child-lead in the Hallmark Channel original movie A Stranger's Heart. Mouser has also done voice work for animated features such as Dragon Hunters, Tarzan II, and Pom Poko, and was a voice actress in the audio drama series, Adventures in Odyssey as Samantha McKay, younger sister of Grady McKay.

Mouser has also appeared in guest starring roles on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Without a Trace, The King of Queens, Monk, Inconceivable, Scrubs, One Life to Live and had a recurring role on NCIS as Leroy Jethro Gibbs' daughter Kelly. She also had a series regular role in the CW series Life Is Wild as Mia Weller, for 13 episodes. At the 2006 Best of Fest Awards at the KIDS FIRST! Film and Video Festival, Mouser received the Outstanding Performance Award for her voiceover work in Eloise: The Animated Series. Mouser also guest starred on Lie to Me and in Ghost Whisperer as the character Madison.

Mouser starred in the ABC medical drama Body of Proof as Dana Delany's daughter, Lacey Fleming. Mouser also played the roles of both Savannah O’Neal and Emma Reynolds in the Disney Channel Original movie Frenemies, which was released in 2012.

Since 2018, Mouser played high school and karate student Samantha "Sam" LaRusso, in the Cobra Kai series, initially launched by YouTube Premium and later on Netflix, where she is part of the main cast. Mouser has also appeared on a Mind Field episode (S2 E5) on the channel VSauce on YouTube. In 2024, she voiced the character Cleo in the audiobook Know Your Newlywed.

Personal life

In 2009, Mouser was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Mouser and actor Tanner Buchanan announced their engagement in February 2025. They met in October 2017 during the filming of the first season of the series Cobra Kai.

Filmography

Films

Television

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result2008 Young Artist AwardBest Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Special – Supporting Young ActressA Stranger's Heart Best Performance in a TV Series – Supporting Young ActressLife Is Wild