Known for his role as Eli Moskowitz, aka Hawk, in the Netflix series Cobra Kai, Jacob Bertrand has emerged as an inspirational figure for young fans. Introduced as a shy, nerdy boy who faces bullying due to a scar from cleft lip surgery, the character undergoes a transformation after joining Cobra Kai.
While Hawk has since taken an antagonistic arc in the show, Bertrand’s portrayal has resonated as a beacon of empowerment for young viewers who find Eli’s journey in the martial arts comedy-drama relatable.
Cobra Kai’s Jacob Bertrand Becomes a Beacon of Inspiration for Young Fans
Jacob Bertrand’s Hawk has become a source of inspiration for many of his young fans with cleft palates. In an interview with Page Six, he shared how his character has become a real hero among many young people with such disabilities.
A lot of kids reached out to me and were like, ‘Hey, I have a cleft palate and your character really speaks to me. I love how he stands up to his bullies and seems confident.
As shown in Cobra Kai, Bertrand doesn’t have a cleft lip in real life. However, the fan interactions and their love for his character inspired him to join the nonprofit Smile Train and connect with more young fans.
The actor has become the first-ever youth celebrity ambassador for Smile Train. He teamed up with the organization to help children with the condition, which aims to provide funds for surgeries for children with cleft lip and palate.
“They genuinely care about these people and their happiness,” the actor said, talking about Smile Train. He also shared that working with the organization has helped him to gain a profound insight into the health challenges and emotional impact faced by patients and their families.
While Bertrand admitted that he does not have such a condition, he is able to resonate with the bullying that individuals affected by clefts often endure, due to his own experiences with bullying.
Jacob Bertrand Shared His Experiences With Bullying
While Bertrand acknowledged that he is not deeply aware of the challenges people with cleft palates face, he shared that he is able to relate to the bullying people with cleft have experienced.
The Swap star shared that although his experience with bullying might not have been the same, he is aware of the negative impact it could have on an individual.
One thing in particular that really resonated with me while learning about Smile Train, was realizing that those in the cleft community have experienced some degree of bullying.
He further stated, as per Smile Train,
Although my experience is not the same as those born with a cleft, I am very familiar with the negative effects of bullying and the toll it takes on your self-esteem and confidence.
Despite the love his character received, Bertrand also did not back down from admitting that Hawk has also been alluded to harsh criticism due to his antagonistic behavior. He is set to return alongside other characters in the series finale, which is set to be released in three parts of five episodes each.
Cobra Kai is available to stream on Netflix.
