Tanner Buchanan

Tanner Emmanuel Buchanan (born December 8, 1998) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Leo Kirkman in the political conspiracy drama series ''Designated Survivor'' (2016–2018) and Robby Keene in the martial arts action series ''Cobra Kai'' (2018–2025).

Early life

Buchanan was born in Lima, Ohio, on December 8, 1998. He is an only child. His parents are Steve and Marlona Buchanan, both industrial engineers. His maternal grandfather was Filipino.

He was raised in a Christian household and he attended Glandorf Elementary School in Ohio. Since he was very young he has excelled in the sport of skateboarding.

Buchanan practiced taekwondo throughout his childhood. He was introduced to the world of karate at a very early age by his mother, who is a black belt in martial arts. He inherited kali sticks from his grandfather, who was originally from Southeast Asian, which he considers essential elements for his life when practicing eskrima, being the ancestral filipino martial art.

He is also an expert dancer since he was five years old, winning national tap dance tournaments throughout his childhood and adolescence. He trained at the dance academy "Center Stage Dance Academy" in Ottawa, Ohio.

At the age of eight, he moved with his family to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, beginning his acting training at the "Edge Performing Arts Centre (PAC)" and at "Huckleberry Friend Productions, Inc." owned by acting coach David Kaufman.

Career

Buchanan began his acting career in 2010, making his television debut with a child role on the series ''Modern Family''. He has since participated in television in the TV shows ''Grey's Anatomy'', '' Major Crimes'', '' The Goldbergs'', and ''Deputy''. In 2011, he was cast in the film ''Untitled Jeff and Jackie Filgo Project'' in which he had the lead role but the pilot was not bought so the project did not go forward. In 2013, he made his film debut with the comedy ''Jake Squared'' directed by Howard Goldberg.

In 2015, he played Charlie Gardner in the Disney Channel series ''Girl Meets World'' and Mason Kendall in the Nickelodeon series ''Game Shakers''. He played Leo Kirkman, son of the President of the United States Thomas Kirkman, in the political conspiracy series ''Designated Survivor'' and Jack Downey in the family drama series '' The Fosters'', both aired by ABC in 2016.

He made a special participation as the young dancer Chad Brad Bradley in the 2017 series '' Fuller House'' produced by Warner Bros. In 2018, he began portraying Johnny Lawrence's estranged son, Robby Keene in the Netflix martial arts series ''Cobra Kai'', sequel to ''The Karate Kid'' films created by Robert Mark Kamen.

Buchanan co-starred with Chad Michael Murray in the science-fiction film '' Max Winslow and the House of Secrets'' in 2019, he was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor at the "Canadian International Faith & Family Film Festival". On the same year, he starred as Dylan Warren in Damián Romay's thriller and suspense film ''Sinister Seduction'' opposite Kristina Klebe. He co-starred with Blake Cooper in the biographical film ''Chance'' directed by John B. Crye, which was released on May 22, 2020, at the Starlite Drive in Amelia, Ohio.

In 2021, Buchanan starred in the remake of ''She's All That'' called ''He's All That'' with Addison Rae, he played the lead role of Cameron Kweller. That same year he also narrated the audio version of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby for Blackstone Publishing. In 2022, he starred in the superhero action-comedy film ''The Hyperions'' as Apollo, directed by Jon McDonald. He starred alongside Sebastian Croft and Charithra Chandran in the British teen romantic comedy film '' How to Date Billy Walsh'' directed by Alex Sanjiv Pillai, which was released on Amazon Prime Video on April 5, 2024.

Personal life

Buchanan is a black belt in karate. While filming ''Designated Survivor'' in Toronto, Canada, Buchanan trained muay thai for about eight months before being cast in ''Cobra Kai''. He shared a workout routine on Men's Health that included barbell jumping jacks to get in fighting shape.

He also has a musical training, and is a skilled pianist and guitarist. He used to play electric guitar in a progressive death metal band called "Acidosis". He debuted as a singer with the song "Fall into my Arms" which was featured on the soundtrack to his film ''Max Winslow and the House of Secrets''.

Relationship with Mary Mouser

Buchanan and Mary Mouser met in October 2017 during the filming of the first season of the series ''Cobra Kai'' which they starred together, becoming best friends from the beginning and starting a secret romantic relationship shortly after.

In February 2025, during the red carpet of the world premiere of the series finale, Buchanan and Mouser finally confirmed their relationship after years of rumors and announced their engagement.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Buchanan, Tanner
1998 births
Living people
American male child actors
American male film actors
American male television actors
American male actors of Filipino descent
21st-century American male actors
Male actors from Ohio
People from Lima, Ohio