Sensei Wolf, a new character created by actor Lewis Tan in Cobra Kai season 6, has returned with a powerful impact. As the leader of the Iron Dragons dojo, Sensei Wolf swiftly stirs up controversy, especially with Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka).
With Sensei Wolf becoming a key figure in the second half of Cobra Kai’s final season, fans are eager to learn more about the actor bringing this new adversary to life. Lewis Tan has an impressive background that extends far beyond his acting career.
A Family Rooted in Martial Arts Tan was born in 1987 in Salford, Manchester, to a family deeply immersed in the world of martial arts. Tan, the eldest of four boys, divided his life between Los Angeles, England, and China, blending his English and Chinese heritage.
Philip Tan, a Chinese Singaporean martial artist, actor, and stunt coordinator, first ignited Tan’s passion for martial arts. In an interview with Flaunt magazine, Tan shared, “My father was a national champion in Taekwondo when he was 22, and he’s been training me in martial arts since I was young. So he was my first teacher.”
Tan’s martial arts training went beyond just Taekwondo, as he has a background in kickboxing, Muay Thai, jiu-jitsu, boxing, MMA, and various other disciplines, including Kung Fu and Wushu.
Acting Success and Marvel Encounter While Tan’s martial arts expertise has significantly shaped his career, he has also found enormous success as an actor. His acting journey began with a guest spot on CSI: NY, but he has since landed more prominent roles, including Cole Young in Mortal Kombat, Tolya in Netflix’s Shadow and Bone, and Lu Xin Lee in Wu Assassins.
Earlier this year, Tan also snagged a role in the Marvel universe, playing Shatterstar in Deadpool and Wolverine. Tan shared an amusing anecdote with Tatler Asia about an “awkward moment” he had with Marvel star Ryan Reynolds on set. “It is quite amusing, as Ryan was typically dressed in his Deadpool attire and I was sporting those orange contact lenses.” One time, we ran into each other off-set, and we were both dressed normally. We experienced the awkward moment of meeting each other [properly] for the first time.
Dealing with Racism While Tan hasn’t detailed specific incidents, he has been outspoken against racism. In a 2019 tweet, he expressed, “Just wanna say this: as much as racism makes me angry and won’t be tolerated, it comes from ignorance and insecurity. You cannot carry that energy into your life or work. It is a poison. Have a blessed day; give a stranger of a different race a compliment today. Spread love.”
In 2021, Tan shared more about his personal experiences, stating, “My father and I have been dealing with violent racism my entire life, which is actually the reason we started martial arts.” This is not a novel situation; regrettably, we need to unite in our efforts to bring about change. I share your anger, but the first step is to love each other.
Bringing Authenticity to Cobra Kai Tan’s deep-rooted martial arts expertise and family history have undoubtedly contributed to the authenticity he brings to his role as Sensei Wolf in Cobra Kai. As the head of the formidable Iron Dragons dojo, Tan seamlessly inhabits the character, showcasing the skill and intensity required to lead such a dominant team in the Sekai Taikai tournament.
With Cobra Kai’s final season in full swing, fans can expect to see more of Tan’s Sensei Wolf as he continues to shake up the series’ landscape. Tan’s compelling performance and impressive real-life martial arts background have made him a standout addition to the Cobra Kai cast.