5 Surprising Facts About Jacob Bertrand And Peyton List's Real-Life Romance Beyond Cobra Kai's Final Season
The off-screen romance between Cobra Kai co-stars Jacob Bertrand and Peyton List continues to be one of Hollywood's most beloved and enduring relationships, with the couple still going strong as of late 2025. While their on-screen characters, Eli "Hawk" Moskowitz and Tory Nichols, have navigated intense rivalry and complex alliances within the dojos of the *Karate Kid* universe, their real-life connection is a story of a decade-long friendship that blossomed into love.
This article dives deep into their journey, from their early days on the Disney Channel to their current status as a power couple wrapping up the highly anticipated final season of the Netflix hit series. The latest updates, including Jacob Bertrand calling Peyton List his "muse" in a February 2025 interview, confirm their relationship remains a major focus as they transition to new post-Cobra Kai careers.
Complete Biography and Profile: Jacob Bertrand & Peyton List
Before they were the fierce martial artists of the Miyagi-Verse, both Jacob Bertrand and Peyton List had established careers as successful child actors, a shared history that laid the foundation for their eventual romance.
Peyton List (Tory Nichols)
- Full Name: Peyton Roi List
- Date of Birth: April 6, 1998
- Place of Birth: Florida, USA
- Notable Roles: Emma Ross in Jessie and Bunk'd, Holly Hills in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series, and Maddie Nears in the Paramount+ series School Spirits.
- Cobra Kai Role: Tory Nichols, a tough, skilled karate student, initially a rival to Samantha LaRusso, who becomes a central figure in the Cobra Kai dojo.
- Latest Projects: Starred in and produced the second season of School Spirits, which returned in 2025 and offered a "huge resolution" to her character's mystery.
Jacob Bertrand (Eli "Hawk" Moskowitz)
- Full Name: Jacob Scott Thomas Bertrand
- Date of Birth: March 6, 2000
- Place of Birth: Claremont, California, USA
- Notable Roles: Kirby Buckets in Kirby Buckets, Jack Malloy in The Swap (where he first worked with List), and a voice role as Gaku in Sakamoto Days.
- Cobra Kai Role: Eli "Hawk" Moskowitz, a formerly bullied teenager who transforms into the fierce, mohawked Hawk, one of the most dynamic characters in the series.
- Latest Projects: Following the Cobra Kai finale, he is set to star in a new show titled Tempest, showcasing his transition to adult roles.
The Relationship Timeline: From Disney Friends to A-List Couple
The history of Jacob Bertrand and Peyton List is not a whirlwind Hollywood romance but a slow-burn connection built on years of shared experiences and mutual friends. This foundation is a key reason for the stability of their relationship.
2015: The First Meeting on Disney Channel
Their story officially began when they met while working on the 2016 Disney Channel Original Movie, The Swap. At the time, Peyton List was already a well-known figure from Jessie and Bunk'd. Jacob Bertrand was also working within the Disney ecosystem. They were initially just "tight friends," a bond strengthened by their shared experiences as young actors.
2018–2021: The Cobra Kai Connection
The pair reunited on the set of *Cobra Kai*, where their characters, Hawk and Tory, were often on opposite sides of the dojo war. Despite the on-screen conflict, their friendship continued to deepen off-screen, a fact that led to months of speculation among fans and the media. They were frequently seen together at events, fueling rumors of a secret romance.
March 2022: Public Confirmation and Official Dating
The couple officially confirmed their relationship to TMZ in March 2022. Jacob Bertrand revealed they had been dating "for a while" before the public announcement, but emphasized their long history. He also admitted he was "tight friends with her brother Spencer" before dating Peyton, adding a unique twist to their love story.
2025: A Relationship Stronger Than Ever
Two years after going public, their relationship remains solid. In a February 2025 interview, Jacob Bertrand spoke glowingly about his girlfriend, calling her his "muse." This quote highlights the deep respect and creative inspiration they find in each other, a testament to their enduring partnership as they navigate the end of their biggest joint project, Cobra Kai.
Navigating the Final Season of Cobra Kai as a Couple
Working on a long-running show like Cobra Kai is demanding, but doing so with your romantic partner adds another layer of complexity. As the cast wraps up the sixth and final season—with its release spanning 2024 and 2025—the couple has shared insights into their professional dynamic.
The 'Hawk' and 'Tory' Dynamic vs. Real Life
Unlike their characters, who often engage in intense, high-stakes karate fights, the actors' real-life interactions are far more supportive. Jacob Bertrand has openly discussed the unique experience of working alongside Peyton List, noting that it was a fun and comfortable environment. He mentioned that it was nice to have someone so close to share the experience with, especially during the emotional conclusion of the series.
The Challenge of On-Screen Conflict
One of the more humorous challenges of their relationship is the on-screen fighting. Bertrand has joked about the difficulty of having to fight his girlfriend in scenes, as both Hawk and Tory are central figures in the dojo rivalry. However, he has also praised List's dedication and skill, noting that their professional respect trumps any awkwardness.
Shared Career Transitions
The end of Cobra Kai marks a significant transition for both actors. Having a partner who understands the industry, the specific demands of the series, and the feeling of saying goodbye to beloved characters like Eli Moskowitz and Tory Nichols, provides invaluable support. This shared experience is a major entity in their ongoing relationship narrative.
Individual Career Focus: Post-Cobra Kai Projects
With the Cobra Kai saga concluding, both Jacob Bertrand and Peyton List are focusing on exciting new individual projects, demonstrating their dedication to expanding their acting portfolios beyond the martial arts world.
Peyton List's 'School Spirits' Success
Peyton List has successfully transitioned into a lead role in the Paramount+ series School Spirits, where she plays Maddie Nears, a teenager stuck in the afterlife. The show’s second season, airing in 2025, sees List take on a dual role, which she called "shocking" after the season one finale twist. This project showcases her dramatic range and her ability to anchor a series, further establishing her as a versatile actress outside of her Disney and Netflix roles.
Jacob Bertrand's Future Ventures
Jacob Bertrand is also moving on to new creative endeavors. His upcoming project, Tempest, is a highly anticipated step in his career. Furthermore, his work in voice acting, such as the role of Gaku in Sakamoto Days, demonstrates his interest in diverse media. These post-Cobra Kai roles are crucial for both actors, and having a supportive partner during this period of professional reinvention is a major asset.
Why Fans Love the Jacob and Peyton Romance
The enduring popularity of the Jacob Bertrand and Peyton List relationship stems from several key factors that resonate deeply with their fanbase and the wider public:
- The Friendship-to-Love Trope: The fact that they were genuine friends for years before dating makes their story feel authentic and relatable, a classic cinematic trope brought to life.
- The Co-Star Chemistry: Their involvement in a major pop culture phenomenon like Cobra Kai, where their characters have such intense, emotional storylines, adds a layer of dramatic irony and excitement to their real-life pairing.
- Mutual Respect and Support: Their public comments consistently focus on professional respect and mutual support, with Bertrand describing List as his "muse," elevating their connection beyond typical celebrity gossip.
- Disney Channel Roots: Fans who grew up watching them on the Disney Channel (Jessie, Bunk'd, The Swap) feel a sense of nostalgia and investment in their adult lives and success.
As Jacob Bertrand and Peyton List step into the next phase of their careers, they do so together, proving that sometimes, the best partnerships are forged not in a dojo, but in a decade-long friendship.
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