If you’re a fan of Cobra Kai, you might have noticed that Tanner Buchanan, who plays Robby Keene, bears a striking resemblance to Rider Strong, who played Shawn Hunter in Boy Meets World. The two actors have similar features, such as dark hair, blue eyes, and a charming smile. They also have a similar vibe on-screen, playing rebellious and troubled characters who find guidance from a mentor figure. But are they actually related in real life? Here’s what we found out.
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Tanner Buchanan’s Background and Career
Tanner Buchanan is an American actor who was born on December 8, 1998, in Ottawa, Ohio. He started acting at a young age, appearing in shows like Modern Family, Grey’s Anatomy, The Goldbergs, and The Fosters. He also had recurring roles on Girl Meets World and Designated Survivor. He is best known for his role as Robby Keene on Cobra Kai, the Netflix series that continues the story of The Karate Kid movies. He plays the estranged son of Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), who trains with Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and falls in love with his daughter Samantha (Mary Mouser). He also starred in the Netflix remake of She’s All That, called He’s All That, opposite Addison Rae.
Rider Strong’s Background and Career
Rider Strong is an American actor who was born on December 11, 1979, in San Francisco, California. He began his acting career as Gavroche in the San Francisco production of Les Misérables when he was nine years old. He then appeared in various TV shows and movies, such as Julie, Benefit of the Doubt, and The Long Road Home. He rose to fame as Shawn Hunter on Boy Meets World, the ABC sitcom that ran from 1993 to 2000. He played the best friend of Cory Matthews (Ben Savage), who struggles with family issues and identity crises. He reprised his role as Shawn in the sequel series Girl Meets World, which aired from 2014 to 2017. He also starred in the horror film Cabin Fever and voiced characters in Kim Possible and Star vs. the Forces of Evil.
Are They Related?
Despite their uncanny resemblance and similar roles, Tanner Buchanan and Rider Strong are not related by blood or marriage. They are not brothers, cousins, or even distant relatives. They just happen to look alike and have similar careers. According to PopBuzz, they have different ancestry backgrounds: Tanner has English and Irish roots, while Rider has English and German roots. They also have different parents: Tanner’s father is Steve Buchanan and his mother is Marlona Buchanan; Rider’s father is King Arthur Strong and his mother is Lin Warner.
However, that doesn’t mean they don’t know each other or have any connection at all. In fact, Tanner has worked with Rider’s brother, Shiloh Strong, who is also an actor and director. Shiloh directed two episodes of Girl Meets World that Tanner appeared in: Girl Meets the New Year and Girl Meets Ski Lodge: Part 2. Sh
