He isn't just the "fat guy" in a kids' karate class. Honestly, when Paul Walter Hauser first stepped onto the screen in Cobra Kai Season 2, half the audience probably thought he was a one-off gag. A bit of fluff. Raymond, the guy who works at the hardware store and thinks a braided beard makes him look like a lethal weapon.
But then, something weird happened. We started caring about him.
Paul Walter Hauser has this terrifyingly good ability to play "pathetic" while keeping a shred of dignity tucked in his pocket. It’s what made him a star in Richard Jewell and earned him that Emmy for Black Bird. In the world of the "Miyagi-verse," he gave us Stingray—a character who is basically a mirror for every adult fan who still wishes they could do a crane kick in their backyard.
The Tragic Brilliance of Stingray
Let’s be real for a second. If you saw a 30-something man hanging out with high schoolers at a karate tournament, you’d call the cops. The show knows this. It leans into the "creepy" factor just enough to make us uncomfortable before pivoting to something deeply human.
Raymond wants to belong.
📖 Related: Why American Beauty by the Grateful Dead is Still the Gold Standard of Americana
He's a guy who never quite grew up, sure, but he’s also a guy who finally found a tribe. When Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) told his students to "strike first," Raymond didn't just hear a karate mantra; he heard a way to stop being a victim. That scene in the woods where he hides in the leaves to "hunt" the teenagers during a training exercise? It’s hilarious, yeah. But it’s also the first time Raymond feels like a winner.
That Terry Silver Beatdown
Everything changed in Season 4. If you thought Stingray was just there for the "Judas" singalongs and the fanny packs, the Season 4 finale probably wrecked you.
Terry Silver is a monster. We know this. But seeing him absolutely dismantle Stingray—physically and mentally—was a turning point for the series. Stingray’s willingness to lie for Silver, to frame John Kreese, and to basically sell his soul just to get back into the dojo was heartbreaking. It wasn't about "No Mercy" anymore. It was about a lonely man being groomed by a billionaire sociopath.
Hauser played those moments with a specific kind of desperation. You could see the internal struggle in his eyes even as he was being used as a human punching bag. He wasn't a hero. He was a guy who just didn't want to be alone again.
👉 See also: Why October London Make Me Wanna Is the Soul Revival We Actually Needed
Paul Walter Hauser: From the Valley to the MCU
It’s actually kind of wild to look at Hauser's career trajectory while he was filming Cobra Kai. The guy is everywhere now.
- Black Bird: He won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for playing Larry Hall.
- Inside Out 2: He voiced "Embarrassment" (perfect casting, let's be honest).
- The Fantastic Four: First Steps: He’s officially joined the MCU for 2025.
- Professional Wrestling: This is the best part. Hauser is actually a pro wrestler now. He won the PROGRESS Proteus Championship in April 2025.
Despite all that A-list heat, he still came back for the final season. Why? Because the showrunners, Jon Hurwitz, Josh Heald, and Hayden Schlossberg, literally wrote the role for him after seeing him in I, Tonya. They knew he had that specific "weirdo-genius" energy.
In Season 6, we see a different Stingray. He’s trying to be a Sensei in his own right, training a new batch of kids (even younger this time) in the woods. Is it still a little weird? Definitely. But when he gives that final monologue to Johnny about legacy, it feels earned. He’s no longer the guy chasing a shadow; he’s the guy trying to build something of his own.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Character
A lot of critics call Stingray "filler." They say he takes time away from the Miguel and Robby drama.
✨ Don't miss: How to Watch The Wolf and the Lion Without Getting Lost in the Wild
I disagree.
Stingray is the "everyman" of the franchise. Most of us aren't athletic prodigies who can do a 540-kick after two weeks of training. Most of us are more like Raymond—enthusiastic, a bit clumsy, and looking for a place where we don't feel like a total loser. Without Stingray, Cobra Kai is just a show about very fit teenagers hitting each other. With him, it’s a show about the redemptive power of community, no matter how late you show up to the party.
The Farewell We Deserved
As Cobra Kai Season 6 Part 3 wraps up the saga in early 2026, Stingray’s arc feels complete. We saw him go from a joke to a villain’s pawn, to a witness, and finally to a mentor. He’s the heart of the Valley because he represents the fans who refuse to let the 80s die.
If you’re looking to revisit his best moments, start with Season 2, Episode 7 ("Lull"). That’s where the legend of the Stingray actually begins. From there, watch his descent in the Season 4 finale to see Hauser’s range. It’s a masterclass in character acting hidden inside a show about karate soap opera drama.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to see more of Paul Walter Hauser's range, go watch Black Bird on Apple TV+ immediately. It’s the dark, twisted version of what makes Stingray work. Then, keep an eye out for his appearance in The Fantastic Four: First Steps later this year to see how he handles the biggest stage in Hollywood.