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It’s been 40 years since The Karate Kid first swept the legs of audiences in cinemas, and what better way to celebrate this huge anniversary than with the double-header of the Supa-Star sensei of Cobra Kai dojo himself, Martin Kove, and his son and co-star Jesse Kove, who was confirmed earlier today as our next November Supa-Star!
While he’s often associated with his tough guy persona on screen, Kove is genuinely kind-hearted and engaged with his fans, regularly connecting with them on social media. He also devotes time to charitable causes, which has earned him a devoted following beyond his iconic roles.
Early Career and TV Appearances
While Kove is best known for his stint as John Kreese in the original Karate Kid trilogy and its hugely popular television reboot, Cobra Kai, he’s been acting on both the big and small screens since the late 1960s. He made guest appearances on cult classic series like Gunsmoke, Kojak, The Rockford Files, Charlie’s Angels, The Incredible Hulk, Starsky and Hutch, and The Edge of Night.
The Karate Kid
Finding a Niche in Action and Exploitation Films
Throughout the 1970s, Kove gravitated towards the world of action and exploitation films. His rugged looks and intense demeanour made him ideal for the kinds of roles that were in demand during the era.
Early in his cinematic career, Kove worked with horror legend Wes Craven (director of A Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream) on his 1972 film The Last House on the Left. Despite the movie’s grim and controversial nature (it was even banned in Australia for decades) Kove’s role offered a surprising touch of comic relief as a bumbling police officer.
Kove’s career was boosted when he secured professional representation with the same agent as Sylvester Stallone. This opened the door to Roger Corman’s New World Pictures — a production company which kickstarted the careers of many Hollywood legends.
Kove built a lasting friendship with Stallone, and starred alongside him in films such as Capone (1975) and the futuristic, dystopian thriller Death Race 2000 (1975). In the latter, Kove played the role of Nero the Hero, an eccentric competitor in a violent cross-country death race set in a dystopian future where racers earn points for running down pedestrians. The film became a cult classic for its prescient biting satire and remains beloved by midnight movie aficionados around the world.
Breakout Role: John Kreese in ‘The Karate Kid’
It was in 1984 that Martin Kove became a true pop culture icon, thanks to his portrayal of John Kreese in The Karate Kid. As the ruthless sensei of the Cobra Kai dojo, Kove’s Kreese was a perfect antagonist — intimidating, commanding, and utterly relentless. The character embodied a distorted version of martial arts philosophy, teaching his students to “show no mercy” and fostering a toxic, hyper-masculine environment in the way only a great 1980s villain could.
Rambo: First Blood Part II
Soon after, Kove appeared alongside Sylvester Stallone once again in Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), playing Ericson, a bureaucratic officer turned antagonist to Stallone’s Rambo.
As Kove’s career progressed, so did his martial arts journey. He studied various forms of martial arts throughout his life, including Kendo and Tae Kwon Do. He earned a black belt in Okinawa-te, a skillset he applied to his roles, including as lead in the 1987 action film Steele Justice.
More recently, Kove appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).
Resurgence: ‘Cobra Kai’ and a New Generation of Fans
Kove experienced a significant career resurgence with the hit Netflix series Cobra Kai, a continuation of The Karate Kid saga. Once again reprising the role of John Kreese, Kove introduced the character to a new generation of fans while also deepening the character’s backstory.
With a career spanning over five decades, Martin Kove continues to leave his mark on the world of film and television, maintaining his relevance and cementing his legacy as one of the most enduring action stars of his generation.
With only 46 days to go until Supanova Comic Con & Gaming’s milestone 100th event, come and meet Martin Kove and his son and fellow actor Jesse Kove at our 99th show in Adelaide (2-3 November), and Brisbane’s three-day extravaganza (8-10 November), with tickets on sale now via Moshtix!
