Jacob Bertrand: The Life Story Behind the Cobra Kai Star

Jacob Bertrand was born in Los Angeles, California, a city where film and television are everywhere, and where a boy who grows up there is close to auditions, studios, and acting classes. He became interested in acting when he was very young, and his family supported him when he wanted to try it. He was a lively child, and he enjoyed performing. He liked to make people laugh, and he liked to tell stories, and those early interests led him to acting. He started working as a child actor, appearing in small roles on television, and he learned how a set worked, how to follow direction, and how to be professional in front of a camera.

What is easy to forget is how much Bertrand learned as a child that helped him later. He learned how to handle rejection, because most auditions do not lead to a job, and he learned how to keep going after a bad audition. He also learned how to work with adults who were counting on him, and how to be responsible for his own performance. Those are not easy skills for a child to learn, but Bertrand learned them well. He did not become famous quickly, but he did not mind. He was learning, and he was building a career, one small part at a time, and that slow growth would pay off when Hawk arrived.

Jacob Bertrand is the actor who plays Eli Moskowitz, better known as Hawk, in Cobra Kai. Hawk starts the show as a shy boy with a scar on his lip who is bullied at school and who is afraid to speak up for himself. He joins Cobra Kai, shaves his head into a mohawk, and becomes a fierce and confident fighter. Then he learns that confidence without kindness can turn into cruelty, and he has to find his way back to being Eli again. Bertrand plays that whole journey, from fear to pride to regret to growth, with an honesty that makes Hawk one of the most interesting characters on the show.

Bertrand himself started acting as a child in Los Angeles. He was born in 2000, and he was working in television before he was ten years old. He appeared in Disney shows, he did voice work for animated films, and he learned his craft slowly, one job at a time. He was not a star as a child. He was a working actor who kept showing up, kept learning, and kept waiting for the right part. When Hawk came along, he was ready, and he turned a supporting role into one of the most talked-about performances in Cobra Kai.

What makes his story worth telling is the change at its centre. Hawk is a character who changes more than almost anyone else on the show, and Bertrand had to change with him. He had to play a shy boy, a bully, a broken young man, and a hero, all in the same series. That is a hard task for any actor, and it is especially hard for a young actor. This is the story of a boy from Los Angeles who became Hawk, and who learned how to play a character who is still learning how to be good.

A Los Angeles Childhood and an Early Start

Jacob Bertrand was born on 6 March 2000 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles is the centre of the film and television world, and a boy who grows up there is close to auditions, studios, and acting classes. Bertrand grew up in that world, and he became interested in acting when he was very young. His family supported him, and they helped him to find work that was right for his age. He was a lively child, and he enjoyed performing. He liked to make people laugh, and he liked to tell stories, and those early interests led him to acting.

He started working as a child actor, appearing in small roles on television. He learned how a set worked, how to follow direction, and how to be professional in front of a camera. Those are not easy skills for a child to learn, but Bertrand learned them well. He also learned how to handle rejection, because most auditions do not lead to a job. He kept going, and he kept improving. He did not become famous quickly, but he did not mind. He was learning, and he was building a career, one small part at a time.

As he grew older, he began to appear in more television shows. He had a role in the Disney XD series Kirby Buckets, where he played the main character, a boy who draws cartoons that come to life. The show ran for three seasons, and it gave Bertrand a chance to lead a show for the first time. He learned how to carry a series, how to work with a cast, and how to be funny and serious in the same episode. Kirby Buckets was a comedy, but it also had heart, and Bertrand played it with warmth. The show made him known to young viewers, and it gave him valuable experience.

He also did voice work for animated films and television shows, including work for Disney and other studios. Voice work is a good place for a young actor to learn, because it teaches you how to use your voice, how to create a character with sound alone, and how to work in a studio. Bertrand enjoyed voice work, and he became good at it. He has continued to do voice work throughout his career, and it is an important part of who he is as an actor. He is not only a face on screen. He is a voice that many young viewers recognise, even if they do not know his name.

Kirby Buckets, Voice Work, and Learning to Lead

Kirby Buckets was an important step for Bertrand, because it was his first leading role. He played Kirby, a boy who is creative, funny, and a little bit odd. Kirby draws cartoons, and his drawings come to life, which leads to funny and sometimes chaotic adventures. Bertrand played Kirby with energy and humour, and young viewers loved him. The show ran from 2014 to 2017, and it gave Bertrand three years of steady work. He learned how to lead a cast, how to work long days, and how to keep a character fresh over many episodes.

During the same years, he continued to do voice work. He voiced characters in animated shows and films, and he learned how to create a character with only his voice. That skill is different from acting on camera, because you cannot use your face or your body to show emotion. You have to do it all with sound. Bertrand learned to do that well, and he became a sought-after voice actor. He has said that he enjoys voice work because it lets him play characters he could never play on camera, including animals, monsters, and cartoon heroes.

He also appeared in guest roles on other television shows, and he kept auditioning for new parts. He was a teenager, and he was trying to move from child roles to young adult roles. That move is hard for many actors, because casting directors see you as a child and cannot imagine you as a young man. Bertrand handled it by working hard and by being patient. He did not rush, and he did not try to force his career. He kept working, and he kept learning, and he trusted that the right part would come.

By the time he was eighteen, he had been acting for more than a decade. He had led a Disney show, he had done voice work, and he had appeared in many television episodes. He was a skilled young actor, but he was not yet famous. He was waiting for a role that would let him show a different side of himself, a role that was more serious and more complex than Kirby Buckets. That role would come in 2018, when he was cast in Cobra Kai.

Eli, Hawk, and the Most Dramatic Change in Cobra Kai

In 2018, Bertrand was cast as Eli Moskowitz in Cobra Kai, and the role changed his life. Eli starts the show as a shy boy with a scar on his lip who is bullied at school. He is quiet, he is afraid, and he does not know how to stand up for himself. He joins Cobra Kai, and Johnny Lawrence gives him a new name, Hawk, and a new look, a mohawk that makes him feel strong. Hawk becomes a fierce fighter, and he becomes confident, but he also becomes cruel. He bullies the same kind of boy he used to be, and he hurts people who care about him. Bertrand plays that change with a power that makes Hawk both exciting and frightening.

The role required hard physical work. Bertrand had to train for the fight scenes, and he had to learn karate moves that were new to him. He also had to shave his head into a mohawk, which was a big change for a young actor. He did it without hesitation, because he understood that the mohawk was part of Hawk’s identity. He worked with the stunt team, and he took the training seriously. He also had to play emotional scenes, including scenes where Hawk is angry, where he is ashamed, and where he is trying to make things right. Those scenes are hard, and Bertrand did them well.

Hawk’s story is one of the most important in Cobra Kai, because it is about what happens when confidence turns into cruelty. Hawk starts as a victim, and he becomes a bully. Then he realises what he has become, and he tries to change. He grows his hair back, he apologises to the people he hurt, and he becomes Eli again, but a stronger Eli. Bertrand plays that whole journey with honesty. He does not make Hawk a simple villain, and he does not make him a simple hero. He makes him a real boy who makes mistakes and who learns from them. That is why audiences care about Hawk, even when he does terrible things.

The show became a huge hit, and Bertrand became famous around the world. He was recognised on the street, he was interviewed by magazines, and he gained a large following on social media. He handled the fame with grace, and he stayed close to his co-stars. The young cast of Cobra Kai became like a family, and Bertrand was a central part of that family. He worked with Xolo Mariduena, Tanner Buchanan, Mary Mouser, and Peyton List for six seasons, and they grew up together on the show. That shared experience is something that few actors ever have.

Voice Acting, Friendship, and Life Off Screen

Away from Cobra Kai, Bertrand continued to do voice work, which has always been an important part of his career. He has voiced characters in animated shows and films, and he has said that he enjoys the freedom of voice work. In a recording studio, you can play anyone, and you do not have to worry about how you look. That freedom is fun for an actor, and it lets Bertrand use his imagination in a different way. He has also worked in podcasts and in other audio projects, and he has built a reputation as a talented voice actor.

He is also known for his friendship with his Cobra Kai co-stars, especially with Xolo Mariduena. The two have appeared together in interviews and on social media, and they have a warm and funny friendship that fans love. Bertrand is known for his sense of humour, and he often makes his co-stars laugh on set. That humour helped the young cast to get through long days of filming, and it made the set a happier place to be. He is a young man who does not take himself too seriously, and that is a good quality in an actor.

He keeps his private life quiet, and he does not share every detail on social media. He is focused on his work, and he enjoys spending time with his friends and family. He has spoken about the importance of staying grounded, and about the support of his family in Los Angeles. That grounding has helped him to handle fame without losing himself, and it is one of the reasons he has been able to grow as an actor. He is a young man who knows who he is, and who is not trying to be someone else.

As Cobra Kai came to an end, Bertrand faced a new chapter. He is no longer a child actor, and he is no longer only Hawk. He is a young man in his mid-twenties with a growing career, a large fan base, and a talent for both on-screen acting and voice work. He has the skills, the work ethic, and the range to build a long career, and he has the support of fans who have grown up with him. The question now is what he will do next, and which roles he will choose.

What Hawk’s Journey Teaches Viewers

Jacob Bertrand’s work as Hawk will be remembered for a long time, because Hawk is a character who changes more than almost anyone else on television. He starts as a victim, becomes a bully, and then becomes a better person. Bertrand played that whole journey with honesty, and he gave viewers a character they could understand, even when they disagreed with his choices. That is a rare achievement for a young actor, and it is the reason Hawk has become one of the most loved characters in Cobra Kai.

His career also shows the value of starting small and growing slowly. He began as a child actor, he led a Disney show, he did voice work, and he built his skills one job at a time. He did not become famous overnight, and he did not expect to. He worked, he learned, and he waited for the right part. When it came, he was ready. That is a lesson for any young person who wants to act. You do not need to be a star at ten. You need to be ready when your chance comes, and you need to be willing to work hard when it does.

For the future, Bertrand has a chance to become a major star in both live-action and voice work. He has already shown that he can play comedy, drama, and action, and he has shown that he can carry a major show. If he continues to choose good roles, and if he continues to grow as an actor, he will be remembered as more than Hawk. He will be remembered as a talented young man who grew up on screen, who played a character who learned to be good, and who became a star by working hard and staying true to himself.

Voice Work and the Characters Only His Voice Can Play

One of the most interesting parts of Jacob Bertrand’s career is his voice work, which has always been an important part of who he is as an actor. He has voiced characters in animated shows and films, and he has said that he enjoys the freedom of voice work. In a recording studio, you can play anyone, and you do not have to worry about how you look. You can be an animal, a monster, a cartoon hero, or a young boy, and you can do it all with your voice. That freedom is fun for an actor, and it lets Bertrand use his imagination in a different way from acting on camera.

Voice work is also a difficult skill to learn, because you cannot use your face or your body to show emotion. You have to do it all with sound, with your tone, your pace, and your energy. Bertrand learned that skill as a child, and he became good at it. He has worked for Disney and for other studios, and he has built a reputation as a talented voice actor. He has said that he enjoys voice work because it lets him play characters he could never play on camera, and because it is a different kind of challenge. That challenge has helped him to become a better actor overall, because it taught him how to listen, how to follow direction, and how to create a character from nothing but a script and a microphone.

His work on Kirby Buckets also deserves more attention, because it was his first leading role, and it taught him how to carry a show. He played Kirby, a boy who draws cartoons that come to life, and he did it with energy and humour. The show ran for three seasons, and it gave Bertrand a chance to lead a cast, to work long days, and to keep a character fresh over many episodes. He learned how to be funny and serious in the same episode, and how to work with a cast of other young actors. Those lessons were important, and they gave him the skills he needed to play Hawk later on Cobra Kai.

Bertrand has also spoken about the importance of friendship on the Cobra Kai set, and about how the young cast became like a family. He worked with Xolo Mariduena, Tanner Buchanan, Mary Mouser, and Peyton List for six seasons, and they grew up together. That shared experience is something that few actors ever have, and it is one that Bertrand values deeply. He is known for his sense of humour, and he often made his co-stars laugh on set. That humour helped the young cast to get through long days of filming, and it made the set a happier place to be. He is a young man who does not take himself too seriously, and that is a good quality in an actor.

In the end, Bertrand’s career shows the value of starting small and growing slowly. He began as a child actor, he led a Disney show, he did voice work, and he built his skills one job at a time. He did not become famous overnight, and he did not expect to. He worked, he learned, and he waited for the right part. When Hawk came along, he was ready, and he turned a supporting role into one of the most talked-about performances in Cobra Kai. That is a lesson for any young person who wants to act. You do not need to be a star at ten. You need to be ready when your chance comes, and you need to be willing to work hard when it does.

My Take:

When I think about Jacob Bertrand, I think about Hawk, and about how much that character changed. Hawk starts as a shy boy who is afraid, and he becomes a bully who hurts people, and then he becomes a better person who tries to make things right. That is a long journey, and Bertrand played every step of it with honesty. I admire that, because it is not easy to play a character who changes so much. You have to show the fear, the pride, the cruelty, and the regret, all in the same show, and you have to make each step feel real. Bertrand did that, and he did it well.

I also think about what Hawk’s story teaches us about bullying. Hawk was bullied, and then he became a bully himself. That is a sad and true pattern in real life. When a person is hurt, they sometimes hurt others, because they think that being strong means being cruel. Bertrand plays that truth with care. He does not excuse Hawk, but he shows us why Hawk became who he became. He shows us the boy who was scared, and the boy who wanted to be strong, and the boy who did not know how to be strong without being cruel. That is an important lesson, because it helps us to understand bullying, and to see that bullies are often people who have been hurt themselves.

What I find most moving is Hawk’s return to Eli. He grows his hair back, he apologises, and he tries to be a better person. That takes courage, because it means admitting that you were wrong. Many people find that hard, especially when they have been proud of being strong. Bertrand plays that moment with a quiet sadness that feels true. He shows us a boy who is trying to be good, even though it is hard, and even though he knows that some people will not forgive him right away. I think that is a hopeful message, because it says that you can change, even after you have done bad things. You can learn, you can grow, and you can earn forgiveness.

I also admire Bertrand’s own career, because it was built slowly. He was a child actor, he led a Disney show, he did voice work, and he kept working for more than a decade before Cobra Kai. That is a long time to keep going without fame, and it takes patience. Many child actors give up, because the work is hard and the reward is slow. Bertrand did not give up. He kept working, he kept learning, and he was ready when Hawk came along. I respect that patience, because it shows that he loves acting for its own sake, not only for fame.

I also think about his voice work, and about how that early training helped him. Voice work teaches you how to create a character with only your voice, and that is a hard skill to learn. Bertrand learned it as a child, and it helped him later when he had to play emotional scenes on camera. I think that is a good reminder that no work is wasted. Every small job teaches you something, and every skill you learn will help you later. Bertrand proves that, because his voice work as a child helped him to become a better actor as an adult.

If I have a worry, it is about the pressure that comes after playing such a famous character. Hawk is a big part of Bertrand’s life, and people will always compare his next role to Hawk. I hope he does not let that pressure control him. I hope he chooses roles that interest him, even if they are small, and that he does not feel he has to play another Hawk in every project. He is a talented actor who can do many things, including comedy and voice work, and he should be free to choose what he wants. A long career is built on good choices, not on repeating the same role again and again.

I also think about his friendship with Xolo Mariduena and the other young cast members. They grew up together on Cobra Kai, and they supported each other through six seasons. That is a special bond, and it is one that will last even after the show ends. I think that friendship helped Bertrand to handle the pressure of fame, because he had people around him who understood what he was going through. When you are young and famous, it helps to have friends who are going through the same thing. Bertrand had that, and I am glad.

Another lesson I take from his story is about identity. Hawk changes his name, his hair, and his whole look to become someone else. But in the end, he realises that he is still Eli, and that he needs to be Eli to be happy. That is a powerful message for young people who are trying to figure out who they are. It says that you do not need to change yourself to be strong. You can be strong as yourself, and you can be kind as yourself. I think Bertrand understands that message, because he plays it with honesty, and because he seems to be comfortable with who he is in real life too.

I also respect his sense of humour. He is known for making his co-stars laugh, and for not taking himself too seriously. That is a good quality, because acting can be a serious business, and it is easy to forget to have fun. Bertrand remembers to have fun, and that makes him a better actor and a better person to work with. Directors like to work with actors who are professional but also fun, and I think Bertrand will be offered many good roles because of that.

In the end, I think Jacob Bertrand is a young actor who has earned his success through hard work, patience, and honesty. He worked as a child, he led a Disney show, he did voice work, and he played a character who became one of the most interesting on television. He did it all with grace, and he did it without losing himself. I do not know what he will do next, but I know that I will be watching, and that I will be rooting for him. He has earned that, not only because he is talented, but because he is a young man who understands that a good character can change, and that a good person can change too.

One last thought stays with me. When I picture Bertrand alone in a dark gym, dribbling a basketball with cold light coming through the windows, I see a young man who is practising, who is working, and who is getting ready. He is not showing off. He is doing the quiet work that makes a good performance possible. That is what he has done throughout his career. He has done the quiet work, one job at a time, and it has paid off. I hope he keeps doing that work, because I think he has a long and bright future ahead of him.

I keep thinking about Jacob Bertrand, and about how much Hawk changed over six seasons. Hawk starts as a shy boy who is afraid, and he becomes a bully who hurts people, and then he becomes a better person who tries to make things right. That is a long journey, and Bertrand played every step of it with honesty. I admire that, because it is not easy to play a character who changes so much. You have to show the fear, the pride, the cruelty, and the regret, all in the same show, and you have to make each step feel real. Bertrand did that, and he did it well, and I think that is a rare achievement for a young actor.

In the end, I think Jacob Bertrand is a young actor who has earned his success through hard work, patience, and honesty. He worked as a child, he led a Disney show, he did voice work, and he played a character who became one of the most interesting on television. He did it all with grace, and he did it without losing himself. I do not know what he will do next, but I know that I will be watching, and that I will be rooting for him, because he has earned that, not only because he is talented, but because he is a young man who understands that a good character can change, and that a good person can change too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where was Jacob Bertrand born?

He was born on 6 March 2000 in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in Los Angeles and started acting as a child.

Who does Jacob Bertrand play in Cobra Kai?

He plays Eli Moskowitz, who becomes known as Hawk after he joins Cobra Kai and shaves his head into a mohawk. Hawk starts as a shy boy, becomes a fierce fighter, and later tries to become a better person.

What was Jacob Bertrand in before Cobra Kai?

He led the Disney XD series Kirby Buckets, playing the main character for three seasons, and he did voice work for animated shows and films. He also appeared in guest roles on other television shows.

Did Jacob Bertrand really shave his head for Hawk?

Yes, he shaved his head into a mohawk for the role of Hawk. The mohawk was an important part of Hawk’s identity, and Bertrand was willing to make that change for the character.

Is Jacob Bertrand a voice actor as well?

Yes, he has done a lot of voice work for animated shows and films, and he continues to do voice work alongside his on-screen acting. He has said he enjoys the freedom of playing many different characters with his voice.

How did Jacob Bertrand learn karate for Cobra Kai?

He trained hard with the show’s stunt team and martial arts experts, learning the moves he needed for the fight scenes. He kept training throughout the six seasons of the show.

What is Jacob Bertrand doing after Cobra Kai?

He continues to act in films and television, and he continues to do voice work. He has said he wants to try different kinds of roles and to keep growing as an actor.