'Karate Kid' star Robert Garrison dies at 59 following organ failure

Actor Robert Garrison who is best known for his role as Tommy in the original 'The Karate Kid' died on Friday at the age of 59. As per US media, Robert was battling with kidney and liver diseases and his organs were reportedly failing. He breathed his last on Friday, September 27, in a hospital in West Virginia. The actor's family is currently arranging for the funeral rituals. Garrison's representative told the media that he was an ambassador to The Karate Kid legacy.

"Rob was a great person and ambassador to The Karate Kid legacy. His performance in Season 2 of Cobra Kai, being his last, was simply amazing and he stole the episode. He will be missed by me and everyone he encountered," the representative said.

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Garrison's acting career

Garrison started his acting career in the late ‘70s, playing parts in both horror and drama films, such as 'Prom Night' and 'Brubaker', alongside Robert Redford. He also appeared in the 1986 movie 'Iron Eagle' and TV shows including 'MacGyver', 'Coach' and 'St. Elsewhere'. Yet it was 'Karate Kid' for which he was most recognized. Garrison's character, one of the guys bullying hero Daniel (played by Ralph Macchio), memorably tells William Zabka’s Johnny to put Daniel “in a body bag,” during their showdown at the karate meet. Following his role in the original film Garrison also bagged the reprised role in “The Karate Kid Part II” in 1986. In April, an episode of the “Karate Kid” reboot “Cobra Kai” featured several of Johnny’s old friends. The plot had the gang taking Tommy out of the hospital, where he was being treated for cancer, to take on a road trip. They then camp and Tommy dies in his sleep.

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"I'm heartened to know how much Rob enjoyed and cherished his time working on Cobra Kai. We were looking forward to seeing his smiling face again this season, as we had plans for Tommy to ride again. But he'll remain in our thoughts every day as we strive to make him proud," 'Cobra Kai' writer and producer Jon Hurwitz, tweeted.

(With inputs from ANI)

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