Reprising his The Karate Kid (1984) role of Tommy in Cobra Kai (2018), who was living in his last days. Rob Garrison was also seriously ill in real life and died five months after the release of the episode.
There is a tribute to Rob Garrison in the end title credits of Cobra Kai (2018): "Aftermath" (Season 3, Episode 1).
Auditioned for, and came close to getting, the role of Sonny Grasso in 1989's martial arts yarn Best of the Best (1989) before the producers decided on David Agresta instead.
His brother Pat Garrison was an officer in the United States Navy.