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 raised in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. 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.«The secret love story of 'Cobra Kai's' Mary Mouser and Tanner Buchanan, and their surprise engagement» - March 6, 2025
Filmography
Films Year Title Role Notes2005Pom PokoAdditional VoicesSon of the MaskAlvey Avery (voice)Tarzan II(voice)VideoFinal Fantasy VII: Advent ChildrenAdditional voices2006Holly Hobbie and Friends: Christmas WishesLill (voice)Video shortMr. Fix ItChristine Pastore2007LA BluesSaraPenny DreadfulClara FowlerShort film2008Dragon HuntersZoé (voice)DelgoBaby Delgo (voice)Ball Don't LieJulia2009Bride Wars(voice)Annie (voice)2011All Kids CountCarla2014MedeasRuthField of Lost ShoesLibby ClinedinstAlexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad DayAudrey Gibson2018Gates of DarknessMichelle
Television Year Title Role Notes2004Without a TraceAmy RoseEpisode: "Nickel and Dimed: Part 2"2005ScrubsLittle GirlEpisode: "My Lips Are Sealed"MonkPrincess GirlEpisode: "Mr. Monk Goes Home Again"InconceivableKylieEpisode: "Between an Egg and a Hard Place"CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationCassie McBrideEpisode: "Gum Drops"MarissaEpisode: "Move Doubt"2005–2012NCISKelly GibbsRecurring role, 9 episodes2006Mindy and BrendaYoung GirlTelevision film2006–2007Eloise: The Animated SeriesEloiseVoice role; main role; 13 episodes2007CricketTelevision filmState of MindAshley Petrovsky2007–2008Life Is WildMia WellerMain role, 13 episodes2008LifeCarin SutterEpisode: "Black Friday"2009Lie to MeTyler SeegerEpisode: "Control Factor"2009–2010ChowderMarmalade / AmbrosiaVoice role; episodes: "A Faire to Remember", "Chowder Grows Up"2010Ghost WhispererMadisonEpisode: "Dead to Me"2011–2013Body of ProofLacey FlemingMain role, 36 episodes 2012 Frenemies Emma Reynolds Television film Savannah O'NealDrop Dead DivaChloe SurnowEpisode: “Crushed”2013–2015SarahEpisodes: "Saturday", "The Fallout," "Not That Kind of Girl"2014Saint FrancisKimberly QuinlanTelevision filmScandalKaren GrantEpisodes: "Like Father, Like Daughter," "Baby, It's Cold Outside"Criminal MindsRebecca FarlandEpisode: "Amelia Porter"2015MaronSydney MaronEpisode: "Marc's Niece"The Devil You KnowEarth FennUnsold television pilotCSI: CyberShelby LockhartEpisode: "iWitness"2016FreakishMary JonesHulu original series2017ScorpionAda PearceEpisode: "Don't Burst My Bubble"2018–2025Cobra KaiSamantha "Sam" LaRussoMain role, 65 episodes2018Happy TogetherDianeEpisode: "How Jake and Claire Met"2019 Room 104Adrianne/LisaEpisode: "Prank Call"2022Nailed It!HerselfEpisode: "Cobra Kai"
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
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