The Untold Story of Karate Kid’s Villain – Martin Kove Reveals All!

Summary

Living The Red Life: Episode Summary Episode Title: The Untold Story of Karate Kid’s Villain – Martin Kove Reveals All!
Host: Rudy Mawer
Guest: Martin Kove
Release Date: June 12, 2025

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Introduction In a special episode of Living The Red Life, host Rudy Mawer welcomes legendary actor Martin Kove to Nashville. Best known for his iconic portrayal of John Kreese in The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai, Kove shares his journey through over 200 roles, his philosophies on tenacity, and his latest entrepreneurial ventures.

Tenacity in the Acting Profession Rudy opens the conversation by highlighting tenacity as a central theme in Kove's career. Martin Kove delves deep into what tenacity means to him:

Martin Kove [02:00]: "It's something that's come up, you know, over the years. And being an artist, whether you're a poet or you're a writer or you're an actor or musician, you have to have a certain amount of confidence and drive and inspiration, which all encompasses tenacity."

He emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself and not taking rejections personally, a vital lesson for aspiring actors and entrepreneurs alike.

The Struggle Behind the Success Kove sheds light on the often unseen struggles behind his successful roles. Despite landing major parts, he candidly discusses the numerous auditions where he didn't make the cut:

Martin Kove [04:19]: "You really don't. And the one you do get, it's very exciting and, you know, like Karate Kid. I heard the list of actors that were interviewed. It was enormous. And all ones that I respected."

He shares his perspective on these missed opportunities, attributing them to factors beyond his control and viewing them as chances to improve rather than failures.

Landing the Role of John Kreese A pivotal moment in the episode is Kove recounting how he landed the role of John Kreese. Initially overlooked based on his appearance, it was his persistence and the support from his PR person that made the difference:

Martin Kove [05:10]: "So the next day I went to see her, and ultimately, you know, story, I told you earlier, the rest is history."

This story underscores the importance of resilience and the impact of having a strong support system in achieving one’s goals.

Personal Philosophy on Failure and Persistence Kove shares a deeply personal story about a conversation with his wife in 1982, which became a turning point in his career:

Martin Kove [07:35]: "I took ownership. Yeah, exactly. And you try to improve those. I guess they. They are insufficient qualities that can change your career."

He reflects on the fear of not making it and how his determination helped him secure roles that defined his career. This philosophy extends beyond acting, serving as a blueprint for overcoming challenges in any field.

Reflecting on the Entertainment Industry Martin offers a sobering look at the entertainment industry, highlighting the many talented individuals who never achieve widespread recognition:

Martin Kove [07:35]: "I never heard of them again. It was like, one day I looked at the Academy directory... and I never heard of any of these people. And it wasn't because they weren't wonderful actors. It was just that they didn't get the break."

This reflection serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of the industry and the importance of perseverance.

Current and Future Ventures Transitioning from his acting career, Kove discusses his entrepreneurial spirit and new projects. Alongside his son Jesse, he co-founded Kove Entertainment and launched The Prodigal Son, a comic book series and premium cigar line inspired by their upcoming TV project:

Martin Kove [12:00]: "And my partner is a man who brought in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul and Cobra Kai into Sony and now he's an independent producer. So we created something called the Prodigal Son..."

He elaborates on the narrative of The Prodigal Son, which explores deep human values through the lens of a Western drama, and his collaboration on a new cigar line, symbolizing his diverse interests and commitment to building a lasting legacy.

Concluding Insights As the conversation wraps up, both Rudy and Martin reflect on the relentless drive that fuels their successes:

Martin Kove [14:23]: "It never ends."

Rudy echoes this sentiment, highlighting the shared drive and consistency that define both their careers. The episode concludes with an inspiring message about continuous growth, legacy-building, and the unending pursuit of one's passions.

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Key Takeaways:

• Tenacity is Crucial: Persistent effort and self-belief are essential for overcoming challenges and achieving success.
• Ownership of Failures: Viewing setbacks as opportunities for growth fosters resilience and continuous improvement.
• Support Systems Matter: Having reliable support can make a significant difference in navigating one's career path.
• Legacy Building: Diversifying ventures and maintaining a drive for new projects ensures a lasting impact beyond primary careers.

Martin Kove's candid discussions offer valuable lessons in perseverance, self-belief, and the relentless pursuit of one's dreams, making this episode a must-listen for entrepreneurs and creatives alike.

Transcript

[Rudy Moore]

We're here in Nashville with a legend, Martin Kove. Welcome.

[Martin Kove]

Thank you. Thank you, Rudy.

[Narrator]

Martin Kove is a legendary actor, lifelong martial artist and entrepreneur, best known for his iconic role as John Kreese in the Karate Kid and Cobra Kai.

[Martin Kove]

I founded Cobra Kai. It belongs to me. It always has, and you're always willing.

[Narrator]

Alongside his son Jesse, he co founded Kove Entertainment and launched the Prodigal Son, a comic book series and premium cigar line inspired by their upcoming TV project. With a career built on passion, family collaboration, and storytelling, Martin continues to expand his legacy.

[Martin Kove]

When my wife said to me in 1982, I remember we had very little money, what's going to happen if you don't make it? And I thought about what she said, what's going to happen if you don't make it? I took a long pause and I looked at it and I said, I don't know. I'm just going to keep on trying.

[Rudy Moore]

My name is Rudy Moore, host of Living the Red Life podcast, and I'm here to change the way you see your life in your earpiece every single week. If you're ready to start living the red life, ditch the blue pill. Take the red pill. Join me in wonderland and change your life. Hello, and welcome back to another episode, a very special episode. As you can tell, I'm not in my podcast studio today. No, we're here in Nashville with a legend, someone you probably recognize from Karate Kid, Cobra Kai, Rambo, ton of other shows. Martin Cove. Welcome.

[Martin Kove]

Thank you. Thank you, Rudy.

[Rudy Moore]

So excited. We just filmed a bit about your life story and the lessons and the ups and downs and everything you've achieved, and excited to dive in and ask you a few questions today.

[Martin Kove]

Sure enough.

[Rudy Moore]

So you've been in a lot of iconic shows and movies, over 200 for a very long career. And one thing that came up right away, even before we shot today, was tenacity. The word tenacity, Right. What does that mean to you?

[Martin Kove]

Well, it's something that's come up, you know, over the years. And being an artist, whether you're a poet or you're a writer or you're an actor or musician, you have to have a certain amount of confidence and drive and inspiration, which all encompasses tenacity, you know, I think. I don't know. You know, I tell young actors, I say, if they don't hire you, it's their mistake, you know, And I just believe in that myself. You know, I actually always tell my son that. And you just have to keep going on and figure out it's not your fault if it doesn't work out. If someone doesn't buy that painting, if you're a painter, if someone doesn't buy, you know, your song and you're writing something for Broadway, it, You know, it doesn't. There's infinite amount of reasons why things don't happen, especially in the creative world.

[Rudy Moore]

Yep.

[Martin Kove]

Just, it's. It's never really. If you're good at what you do and you have to believe you're good at what you do, it's never really that personal. You know, you can walk into a room and literally do a brilliant reading, do a Brando reading, but if you look like the boyfriend that this producer's wife just left him for, you know, you're not going to get the point.

[Rudy Moore]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Martin Kove]

You know, funny. And it happens all the time.

[Rudy Moore]

And you. Is that, you know, a lot of people, I think with movie stars and TV stars, they. They see the movies and the shows that make it. Right. And all the big hits. Right. And you've had several. But other movies and shows where you auditioned and you thought you were going to get the role and you thought you should have got the role and you didn't.

[Martin Kove]

Well, it happens all the time. I mean, you cover your bases the best way you can. You learn the material and you try to memorize the material, even at an audition. If you've worked with. Many times, you've worked with the director before, you've worked for the casting lady before, you know, and yet you don't get the part.

[Rudy Moore]

It is the one iconic movie or show that we would all know that you felt you could have, should have been in.

[Martin Kove]

Yeah, I. You know, it's. I was thinking about that before Fred Ward got the part. And it was a very similar movie to Karate Kid, but it was earlier. It was. I can't think of the title now, but it was a comic book. And I was really down to the wire. There's a lot of projects that you're down to the wire on and that you. Nine out of ten, you don't get.

[Rudy Moore]

Okay.

[Martin Kove]

You really don't. And the one you do get, it's very exciting and, you know, like Karate Kid. I heard the list of actors that were interviewed. It was enormous. And all ones that I respected.

[Rudy Moore]

Okay.

[Martin Kove]

And how I got the part. I had gone in to see the casting woman, and she said to me that he didn't. John Evelson did not think I was right for the role based on my 8 by 10. And then when my friend Paul Koslow, who I had done Gunsmoke with. And he and I, you know, became very good friends for years after. He said to me, you gotta go in. You're right. He didn't want to see me. And it was for the sensei. And so I said, wow. I called my agent. He says he didn't like your picture. And then I called. I didn't want to know from that, so I called. And I don't even know why I did it, because I was doing Cagney and Lacy, so it really wasn't a big thing, you know, But I just somehow was a challenge. And I called my PR person, Dick Gutman, and he called the casting woman and said, see Marty Cove. He's very right for this. So the next day I went to see her, and ultimately, you know, story, I told you earlier, the rest is history. The rest is history, you know, but it was all because Dick Gutman made the appointment, because the agent was useless. Well.

[Rudy Moore]

But also because she followed up. Right. A lot of people would have maybe just taken it. Taken the. No, gone. I got this other big thing going on. I don't need this. But I think there's a lesson within that. And then another lesson that maybe you glance over but, like, nine. Everyone sees the Karate Kid, Cobra Kai, being in Rambo, all these other shows. But you said something key, that you don't make nine out of ten shows. You don't get the role.

[Martin Kove]

Yeah.

[Rudy Moore]

So they see the win. Right? The 1 out of 10. They don't see the 9 out of 10 where you didn't get the role. So when you wouldn't get those other shows, would you perceive it as failure? Would you. Would it get. Get you down? Or would you just be going on to the next thing and the next thing?

[Martin Kove]

I never looked at it as failure. Blatantly failure. I would look at it that something was failing. Something my preparation was failing for the role. I didn't do enough backstory. I didn't learn the lines that I should have learned. Most of it would have been on me.

[Rudy Moore]

That. That's great. You took ownership. You took the.

[Martin Kove]

I took ownership. Yeah, exactly. And you try to improve those. I guess they. They are insufficient qualities that can change your career. And many times I have worked with people in. In classical repertory that are so brilliant. You know, my friend James Barber played Phantom for three years on Broadway. He is brilliant as a singer, brilliant as an actor. I don't know why he hasn't flown into a TV series or, you know, he's so talented. There's just no reason for that. You know, there's no reason. And then you'll never find the reason. You know, I've worked with people in the Classical Repertory Company. We did Revengers, Tragedy. We did man and Superman. We did, you know, a variety of. Of. Of plays. And this cast was brilliant, absolutely brilliant. And I never heard of them again. It was like, one day I looked at the Academy directory, which in Hollywood. There's a big, thick book and a list of all the actors and their credits. I don't know how much it's used anymore, but I got hold of one from the late 30s, early 40s, and I looked at all these pages and I said, wow, I never heard of any of these people. And it wasn't because they weren't wonderful actors. It was just that they didn't get the break. They didn't fulfill the dream. They gave up on the business and became something else professionally. And it was scary. It was very scary. But. And that was early on in my career, and I just. I never could face that. When my wife said to me in 1982, I remember we had very little money, and she. It was a year after we got married, and I had a big blister on my foot. I couldn't walk very well. I had stepped on some charcoal, and she said to me, what's gonna happen if you don't make it? And making it to me was being respected by my peers. It wasn't being a movie star, it was being respected by my peers. That's what I want, was always my purpose, becoming an actor. And I thought about what she said. What's gonna happen if you don't make it? I took a long pause and I looked at her and I said, I don't know. I'm just going to keep on trying. And that's what I said. I never forgot that. A month later, I got Cagney and Lacy for six years. A year later, I got, you know, Karate Kid. And it just kept going, you know, and that's all you can do. You can just keep on entertaining and peppering the challenge. And now they do a book on me, and I don't think I'm book worthy. But it's about tenacity. That's what the author says. It's about tenacity, Martin. It's not anything else. It's not about Karate Kid, it's not about Rambo, it's not about Cobra Kai. It's about you being tenacious from growing up in Brooklyn, being the only child and living in this world of, of fantasy.

[Rudy Moore]

Yeah, yeah. And. And I mean, one thing that you talk about in the main episode, like having that big belief and dream, right, that maybe didn't make sense because you weren't from Hollywood or born in LA or born into a family of actors. But I think that's so important. It starts with that dream and then it follows with tenacity and consistently keep going, keep going, keep going until you find the win. So I love that and I'm excited for the episode where everyone can learn about that. Last question. You're moving into new ventures, right? You're still working on new ventures now, right? The cigar in your hand. The movies that are up and coming. Just as we finish today, can you tease a little about what's to come?

[Martin Kove]

Well, it's interesting that I want my son to have a little edge, you know, and you don't ever know when you're going to stop functioning as an actor, producer, director. So I wrote these. I wrote these four comic books and they became a graphic novel. And my partner is a man who brought in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul and Cobra Kai into Sony and now he's an independent producer. So we created something called the Prodigal Son, which is really the name of this show, which is basically about an old gunfighter who has killed everything and he bonds emotionally with a 12 year old boy and they exchange human values and it's wonderful. And all the things we entertain in current events today where parents would entertain with a child we deal with. But it's a Western. That's great, you know, and then there's this company. A friend of mine named Paul DiSilvio created a cigar that comes out next month called the Prodigal Son. And this is a prototype of the box, which I just think this is.

[Rudy Moore]

Yeah, beautiful, Terrific. Beautiful.

[Martin Kove]

And. And it just kind of, you know, you hope it comes out. It's very. It's impossible to sell a show now in Hollywood. It's just really hard. There's so much competition. But the bottom line is, is that you have that same dream that I had 50 years ago. I want my son to be in this. I want to make it for him. I want to incorporate all the things that John Kreese went through in Cobra Kai, but as an old gunfighter set in his ways, like he was set in his ways, you know, and then maybe I could retire, maybe if I, if I don't do the lion in Winter and renew that as a play, which is what I really like. One more play I like to do, and maybe I'll do that, you know.

[Rudy Moore]

Good. Well, we'll all be watching. I mean, as we talked about earlier as we were getting ready, it's the. The entrepreneurial adventurer in us. It never ends, right? It never ends.

[Martin Kove]

It never ends. As you said before, you think. Do you think, well, I'll do this one more thing and, you know, and then I'll just kick back. I don't know about kicking back.

[Rudy Moore]

I think it's the drive inside successful people, you know, that's great. What I get to do is meet all these people, and, you know, I've had a lot of success, and one thing we have in common is that drive, you know, drive and consistency.

[Martin Kove]

Absolutely.

[Rudy Moore]

Yeah. So it's been a pleasure, guys. That's a wrap for this podcast, but go check out the full episode and, of course, all the new projects. This was an amazing day and so fun to kind of pull back the curtain and look at your life and how your mindset behind all the amazing things you've done. So thank you so much, guys. Go check out the episode and as always, keep working hard, build a legacy and have impact. Take care. Sa.