Thomas Ian Griffith Biography: Wife, Age, Net Worth, Height, Movies & TV Shows, Children, Parents

Thomas Ian Griffith is an American actor, screenwriter, and martial artist best known for his role as Terry Silver in The Karate Kid Part III (1989) and the Netflix series Cobra Kai (2018–present).

With a career spanning over three decades, Griffith has appeared in various films and television shows, often leveraging his black belt in tae kwon do to portray dynamic action roles.

He has also contributed to the industry as a writer and producer, notably co-creating Cobra Kai with his wife, actress Mary Page Keller.

Profile

• Full Name: Thomas Ian Griffith
• Stage Name: Thomas Ian Griffith
• Born: 18 March 1962
• Age: 63 years old
• Birthplace: Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actor, Screenwriter, Producer, Martial Artist
• Height: 1.96m
• Parents: Thomas Joseph Griffith and Mary Ann Oakes
• Siblings: Mary Beth Griffith
• Spouse: Mary Page Keller (m. 1991)
• Children: 2
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $2 million

Early Life and Education

Thomas Ian Griffith was born on March 18, 1962, in Hartford, Connecticut, to Thomas Joseph Griffith, a college professor, and Mary Ann Oakes, a dance instructor.

He grew up with one sibling, Mary Beth Griffith.

Griffith attended Glastonbury High School in Connecticut and later studied at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, though specific details about his degree are not publicly available.

He began training in tae kwon do as a teenager, eventually earning a black belt, which shaped his career in action films.

His ethnicity is Caucasian, and his religious beliefs are not publicly known.

Career

Thomas Ian Griffith began his acting career in the mid-1980s, making his Broadway debut in 1984 as Saint Peter in The King and I opposite Yul Brynner.

His transition to film came with his breakout role as Terry Silver, the cunning antagonist in The Karate Kid Part III (1989), where his martial arts skills and commanding presence earned critical attention.

Throughout the 1990s, he starred in action films like Excessive Force (1993), which he also wrote, and Crackerjack (1994), establishing himself as a versatile performer in the genre.

Griffith’s career evolved as he took on diverse roles in both film and television.

He appeared in Vampires (1998) alongside James Woods and played a recurring role in the soap opera Another World in the early 1990s.

After a brief hiatus from acting to focus on writing and family, he returned to prominence with Cobra Kai, a continuation of the Karate Kid franchise.

As a co-creator and writer for the series, Griffith helped shape its nostalgic yet fresh narrative, and his reprisal of Terry Silver earned praise for its depth and intensity, particularly in Season 4 (2021).

Griffith remains an influential figure in martial arts-driven storytelling.

His work on Cobra Kai continues to resonate with audiences, blending action, drama, and humor, with Season 6 marking the series’ final chapter in 2025.

Beyond acting, his contributions as a screenwriter and producer highlight his creative range.

Griffith’s ability to portray complex characters, combined with his behind-the-scenes work, has solidified his legacy in the action and drama genres.

Social Media

Thomas Ian Griffith does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

Thomas Ian Griffith married actress Mary Page Keller in 1991 after meeting her during their work in theater.

The couple has two sons, Conner and Eamon, and resides in Los Angeles, California.

Griffith maintains a private lifestyle, focusing on family and his passion for martial arts.

Filmography

• The Karate Kid Part III (1989)
• Excessive Force (1993)
• Crackerjack (1994)
• Hollow Point (1996)
• Vampires (1998)
• The Pirate (1998)
• Black Point (2001)
• XXX (2002)
• Timecop 2: The Berlin Decision (2003)
• Cobra Kai (2018–2025)

Net Worth

Thomas Ian Griffith has an estimated net worth of $2 million.

His wealth primarily comes from his acting roles in films like The Karate Kid Part III and Cobra Kai, as well as his contributions as a screenwriter and producer for Cobra Kai.

Additional income stems from earlier television work and residuals from his action films syndicated on streaming platforms.