With two siblings in the acting business as well, you could say acting was in Mary Mouser’s blood from the beginning. At 21-years-old, she has already held numerous guest star roles in a number of shows from Scandal and The Fosters to Criminal Minds and Scorpion. Her most current project, though, may be the coolest, working alongside Ralph Macchio as the lead actress in YouTube’s Cobra Kai, a series based on the 1984 cult classic The Karate Kid, which has just been renewed for a second season.
Her Campus spoke with Mouser about her role in Cobra Kai, her love for Tim Burton and what she’s studying in college.
Her Campus: You’ve most recently starred in Cobra Kai. Before auditioning for this role, how did you prepare? Had you ever watched the original Karate Kid movies?
Mary Mouser: I hadn’t actually seen the movies before auditioning, but to prepare I did watch them all and became an instant fan. I ended up watching them, like, five more times while filming because I just couldn’t get enough.
HC: What is it like working with the iconic Ralph Macchio? Have you two grown close since acting as father and daughter on screen?
MM: Working with Ralph was such an insane treat. I feel so lucky to get the opportunity. He’s so kind, fun, genuine and welcoming. That comes through not just in actual scenes with him, but just getting to hang out with him as well. I feel like we had a bond, I hope he’d agree since he was the guy who ran down to my apartment with a broom to kill some bugs I was too afraid of!!
HC: If you could work with anyone in Hollywood, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
MM: That is an impossibly hard question for me, there are so many people I admire and would love to get the opportunity to work with. I’d say Tim Burton would be exciting for me, since I’m such a huge fan of his work. Creepy, gory, offbeat and still heartfelt—those characteristics in his work really resonate with me.
HC: What is your favorite role that you’ve ever held? Why?
MM: This is almost equally tough to answer! I’ve been lucky enough to have some crazy cool experiences, like living in South Africa for a year to film a show—that was a once in a lifetime whirlwind. But as for roles, Samantha LaRusso might be my favorite challenge yet.
HC: If you weren’t an actress, what could you see yourself doing right now?
MM: I love to read, and I actually enjoy writing a ton as well. I am currently a student, studying for an English major. But I’m considering a double major in American Sign Language, as it’s a beautiful language that I’ve become really passionate about learning.