Exclusive Interview of Mary Mouser, her milestones and growing up as an actress – Flanelle Magazine
Photographer: Ben Cope Stylist: Monty Jackson Hair : Bekah Lesser Makeup: Courtney Hart Model & Actress: Mary Mouser
Mary Mouser was born May 9, 1996 in Pine Buff, Arkansas. She is known for her work on Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (2014), Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005) and Son of the Mask (2005). You might have also seen her performance in the most recent Netflix’s Cobra Kai alongside actor Ralph Macchio. We had the opportunity to get to know more about her, her debut in the industry and her future aspirations.
Flanelle : Tell us a little more about you, where you grew up, about your childhood?
I started acting when I was 5 years old, which meant I traveled back and forth to New York and California a lot from a young age. I’m lucky enough to have two siblings who I love very much, which kept the long car rides—yes, we DROVE that trip every few months—fun. So many of my favorite memories invoke coming up with games to play to keep ourselves busy for the three-day trip each time. It was a blast and really made me love travel so much.
This is definitely commitment! So you started acting at a really young age, what made you jump into the industry?
It was actually a bit of an accident! We were headed to Pennsylvania from Arkansas to visit family friends, and it just so happened there was an open casting call in town when we were planning to visit. The family friends we were seeing told my parents about it, and they offered it to me, my brother, and my sister as a fun activity to see if we’d want to give it a go. We thought it sounded so fun, and so we did the audition and I actually got a callback! Just a couple of months later I got called and told I had been hired to be the photo-double for the movie Signs. It was like playing a giant game of pretend every day and I adored it, I asked my parents if we could keep acting and they agreed—thinking I’d have a kid’s notoriously short attention span. But here I am!
So you loved it from the beginning even as a kid ?
It was so much fun. I’d get to hang out with the cast and crew between takes and play games, and then when they called “action” and I’d get to do something in a scene I thought it was so neat. I loved seeing how the special effects worked and watching the process of operating the cameras. I truly fell in love right away.
Throughout the years, what was your favorite kind of character to play and why?
I get most excited when there’s a new aspect to a character I haven’t played before, anything that allows me to challenge myself and “stretch my legs” so to speak. I’m always up for something tough to tackle and love going home from the day feeling like I surprised myself. As of recently, that’s involved a lot of stunt work. It was something I had never tried before but wasn’t sure I was capable of. Now that I’ve dipped my toes and found the water warm and welcoming, I’m ready to dive in, I love to try new moves or push myself to accomplish more every day.
Playing Samantha LaRusso, daughter of Daniel-San in Cobra Kai is a big step in your career – How did you feel when you knew you had the role?
I was so excited from the first second I got the call. Getting a second call from Ralph Macchio himself to be welcomed to the family sealed the deal. I definitely cried happy tears. Cobra Kai has been such a beautiful and special experience—from the cast and crew to the writing and stunt choreography, every day is an adventure that I’m so grateful for.
What would be the biggest lesson or something that you learned from shooting Cobra Kai?
Cobra Kai has made me really relish the challenge. Emotionally, mentally, and physically, Samantha has challenged me in so many ways. I love that I get to try new things through her. I often can be pretty hard on myself and struggle to cut myself a break, but this show has shown me that I’m capable of so much more than I thought I could be! It’s made me enjoy every new curveball thrown my way, and enjoy looking back after I’ve completed the task and say “hey, I did that”.
If you could pick one director to work with, which one would it be ?
Oh! that is a tough question. I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many incredibly talented directors already. I do love Tim Burton’s work and style, I never quite grew out of my goth phase, so that would be a really cool experience.
What is the next chapter for you, or a character that you would like to play?
In terms of characters, I would love to keep taking steps in all kinds of new directions. I would be so grateful if I got to “taste” every type of role and opportunity. Specifically, though, magic or super-hero moves are next up on my bucket list!
