Tanner Buchanan: Age, Height, Girlfriend, Black Belt & Facts

If you’ve watched Cobra Kai, you know Robby Keene—the fiercely loyal, sometimes conflicted teenager with a black belt in trouble. But the actor behind the character, Tanner Buchanan, has a story that’s just as interesting off-screen. This article separates verified facts from internet rumors, from his real martial arts background to his engagement to co-star Mary Mouser.

Age (as of 2025): 26 ·
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) ·
Known for role: Robby Keene in Cobra Kai ·
Engaged to: Mary Mouser (announced 2024) ·
Black belt in: Taekwondo (confirmed) ·
Instagram followers (approx.): 7.4 million

Seven key biographical facts, one pattern: most are independently verified, but a few remain disputed or unconfirmed.

Is Tanner Buchanan Irish?

Nationality and birthplace

• Tanner Buchanan is an American actor, born in the United States. Wikipedia lists his birthplace as Lima, Ohio.
• No official source lists Irish nationality. He is not Irish by citizenship or ancestry (as far as publicly confirmed).

Ethnicity and ancestry

• Buchanan has not publicly detailed his ethnic background. There is no verified information about Irish heritage.

The implication: The question “Is Tanner Buchanan Irish?” likely stems from his surname or from fan speculation. No reputable source supports an Irish nationality claim.

Are Mary Mouser and Tanner Buchanan getting married?

Engagement announcement

• In late 2024, both actors shared a joint Instagram post confirming their engagement. Wikipedia reports the engagement as of February 2025.
• No wedding date has been publicly announced.

Relationship timeline

• Buchanan and Mouser met on the set of Cobra Kai. They were rumored to be dating since around 2022, but they kept their relationship private until the engagement.
• Buchanan’s previous known relationship was with actress Lizze Broadway (2018–2020). StarsUnfolded notes that relationship ended before he started dating Mouser.

How old was Tanner Buchanan in season 1 of Cobra Kai?

Birth date

• Tanner Buchanan was born on December 8, 1998, as confirmed by Wikipedia.

Season 1 release

• Cobra Kai season 1 premiered on YouTube Red on May 2, 2018. Buchanan was 19 years old at the time of filming and turned 19 just before the release.
• He was 19 at the premiere, and turned 20 later that year.

The calculation: Born December 1998, season 1 release May 2018 → age 19. That makes him one of the youngest main cast members during the show’s early seasons.

Is Tanner Buchanan a black belt in real life?

Martial arts training

• Yes, Buchanan holds a black belt in Taekwondo. IMAGINE Magazine confirms he earned his black belt while working on Cobra Kai.
• Before Cobra Kai, he had training in Taekwondo and Muay Thai, according to Sportskeeda.
• One report suggests he was only a few belts away from a black belt when he quit Taekwondo earlier, but later resumed training for the role.

Real black belt vs. on-screen skill

• Buchanan’s black belt is real, not just a prop. He performed many of his own fight stunts in Cobra Kai.
• Spanish-language Wikipedia (es) describes him as a karate black belt in shotokan, though this may conflate the styles.

The catch: The exact martial arts style (Taekwondo vs. shotokan karate) is slightly inconsistent across sources, but the core fact—he’s a real black belt—is solid.

What is Tanner Buchanan’s height and age?

Height

• Most authoritative sources, including Wikipedia, list his height as 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m).
• However, several secondary profiles report lower figures: 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) per StarsUnfolded and Girlfriend.com.au, and even 5 ft 6 in (167.5 cm) per HealthyCeleb. Sportsumup notes the discrepancy and says estimates vary.
• Given that Wikipedia is a tier-2 source and the conflicting profiles are tier-3, the 5 ft 10 in figure is the most reliable, but the height remains somewhat disputed.

Age

• Born December 8, 1998, as of 2025 he is 26 years old. This is consistent across all sources.

The pattern: Height is the most contested personal stat, with a 4-inch spread across sources. Fans should treat the 5’10” figure as likely correct, but not definitive.

Eight biographical specs, one takeaway: most are consistent, but height and martial arts style show minor source variation.

Timeline

• December 8, 1998: Born in Lima, Ohio, USA.
• 2010–2015: First acting roles in short films and TV guest spots (e.g., The Fosters).
• 2016–2019: Portrayed Leo Kirkman in Designated Survivor (Wikipedia).
• 2018–2020: Relationship with actress Lizze Broadway (HealthyCeleb).
• 2018–2025: Stars as Robby Keene in Cobra Kai (seasons 1–6) (Wikipedia).
• 2021: Staged kiss with Addison Rae at the MTV Movie & TV Awards (Sportskeeda).
• Late 2024: Announced engagement to Mary Mouser via Instagram (Wikipedia).

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

• Born in the United States (Ohio) (Wikipedia)
• Engaged to Mary Mouser (Wikipedia)
• Black belt in Taekwondo (IMAGINE Magazine)
• Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) per Wikipedia (disputed elsewhere)
• Relationship history with Lizze Broadway (HealthyCeleb)

What’s unclear

• Exact religious affiliation (not publicly confirmed)
• Specific details of Mary Mouser’s health diagnosis (shared only indirectly)
• Exact wedding date

In their own words

“We’re so excited to start this next chapter together.”

– Tanner Buchanan, via Instagram engagement post (2024), as reported by Wikipedia

“Buchanan earned his black belt while working on Cobra Kai, proving he’s not just acting.”

– IMAGINE Magazine, profile on Buchanan’s martial arts journey

“He had martial arts experience in taekwondo and muay thai before Cobra Kai.”

– Sportskeeda, listing lesser-known facts

Tanner Buchanan’s public narrative is largely defined by his role on Cobra Kai. But the verified facts show a young actor who has navigated relationships, martial arts training, and growing fame with a mix of openness and privacy. For fans wondering what’s real, the answer is mostly clear—except for his height and a few private details. Buchanan’s next move: expect a wedding announcement soon, and look for his next career step after Cobra Kai concludes.

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