Martin Kove’s Powerful Message to Anyone Chasing Their Dream

Summary

Episode Summary: Martin Kove’s Powerful Message to Anyone Chasing Their Dream

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Living Your Legacy Podcast
• Host: Rudy Mawer
• Episode: Martin Kove’s Powerful Message to Anyone Chasing Their Dream
• Release Date: June 16, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Living Your Legacy Podcast, host Rudy Mawer sits down with the iconic actor and entrepreneur Martin Kove. Best known for his legendary portrayal of John Kreese in The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai, Kove offers listeners an intimate glimpse into his extensive career, entrepreneurial ventures, and the unyielding tenacity that has defined his journey. Filmed in Nashville, this conversation delves deep into the challenges, successes, and invaluable lessons that have shaped Martin Kove's enduring legacy.

Journey and Legacy

Martin Kove begins by reflecting on his multifaceted career, spanning over 200 roles in film and television. He emphasizes the importance of passion, family collaboration, and storytelling in building a lasting legacy. "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" ([00:42]). This pivotal moment underscores his commitment to perseverance despite uncertainty.

The Essence of Tenacity

A central theme of the episode is tenacity. Rudy introduces the topic by highlighting its relevance to Kove's career. Martin elaborates, "Being an artist... you have to have a certain amount of confidence and, and drive and inspiration, which all encompasses tenacity" ([02:29]). He stresses that tenacity is not just about stubbornness but about maintaining belief in one's abilities and continuously striving for improvement. "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" ([07:41]).

Overcoming Rejection and Failure

Martin candidly discusses the frequent rejections and missed opportunities that come with an acting career. He shares anecdotes about auditions where he felt poised to secure roles only to be passed over. "You have to keep going on and figure out it's not your fault if it doesn't work out" ([02:29]). This mindset helps him view setbacks as opportunities to refine his craft rather than personal failures. His story about landing the role of John Kreese after initial rejections highlights the importance of persistence: "I called my PR person, Dick Gutman, and he called the casting woman and said, see Marty Cove. He's very right for this... The rest is history" ([05:38]).

Building a Career with Ownership and Improvement

Kove emphasizes taking ownership of one's career trajectory. He believes that self-improvement and accountability are crucial for long-term success. "I took ownership. Yeah, exactly. And you tried to improve those" ([08:03]). Martin acknowledges that even highly talented individuals might not achieve widespread recognition due to factors beyond their control, but maintaining dedication ensures continuous growth and opportunity.

Origin Story and Personal Motivation

Delving into his personal motivations, Martin shares a heartfelt moment with his wife that solidified his resolve to succeed. "It's 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" ([09:54]). This intrinsic motivation drives him to persistently pursue excellence in his craft, regardless of external validation.

Current and Future Ventures

Beyond acting, Martin is actively expanding his legacy through entrepreneurial endeavors. Together with 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. "I wrote these four comic books and they became a graphic novel... We created something called the Prodigal Son... it's really the name of this show" ([12:25]). Additionally, he teases the launch of a cigar line named The Prodigal Son, showcasing his diversification into different industries while maintaining his creative storytelling roots.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Creatives

Throughout the conversation, Martin imparts valuable advice to listeners chasing their dreams. He underscores the significance of unwavering belief in oneself and the relentless pursuit of one's goals. "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" ([13:51]). His message is clear: success is a marathon, not a sprint, and maintaining tenacity is key to overcoming obstacles and achieving long-term ambitions.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a reaffirmation of the endless drive that defines successful individuals. Martin and Rudy discuss the perpetual nature of ambition and the importance of never settling. "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" ([14:42]). This relentless spirit is what fuels Martin Kove's continued contributions to the entertainment industry and his entrepreneurial ventures.

Notable Quotes:

• Martin Kove ([00:42]): "I don't know. I'm just going to keep on trying."
• Martin Kove ([02:29]): "If someone doesn't buy that painting, if you're a painter, if someone doesn't buy your song... there's an infinite amount of reasons why things don't happen."
• Martin Kove ([07:41]): "I never looked at it as failure. Blatantly failure. I would look at it that something was failing."
• Martin Kove ([05:38]): "The rest is history, you know, but it was all because Dick Gutman made the appointment."
• Martin Kove ([09:54]): "It's being respected by my peers. It wasn't being a movie star."
• Martin Kove ([12:25]): "We created something called the Prodigal Son, which is really the name of this show."
• Martin Kove ([13:51]): "You have that same dream that I had 50 years ago. I want my son to be in this."
• Martin Kove ([14:42]): "It never ends."

Key Takeaways:

• Tenacity is Fundamental: Success requires unwavering persistence and the ability to view setbacks as opportunities for growth.
• Ownership and Self-Improvement: Taking responsibility for one's career and continuously striving to improve are crucial for long-term success.
• Intrinsic Motivation: Being driven by internal goals, such as respect from peers, can sustain ambition through challenging times.
• Diversification: Expanding into different ventures can enhance one's legacy and provide new avenues for creativity and influence.
• Endless Drive: The journey to build a legacy is perpetual, fueled by continuous passion and determination.

Martin Kove’s insightful and heartfelt discussion serves as an inspiring guide for anyone aspiring to build their own legacy, emphasizing that the path to success is paved with persistence, ownership, and an unwavering belief in one’s dreams.

Transcript

[Rudy]

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.

[Unknown]

It spans the globe like a super high cold Internet Elvis. Read the prime for free. Today, Apple is going to reinvent the phone. It's not over until I win.

[Martin Kove]

The Living youg Legacy podcast. For those who live to leave a legacy that's extraordinary.

[Unknown]

The impossible has been. Oh, that is sensational. Jordan Open Chicago. With the lead. Usain Paul is the fastest man on the planet. You can live your dream.

[Rudy]

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]

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]

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, 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]

Yeah. Just.

[Martin Kove]

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 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 part.

[Rudy]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Martin Kove]

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

[Rudy]

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 for the director before, you've worked for the casting lady before, you know, and yet you don't get the part.

[Rudy]

Is there 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]

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]

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 Evilson 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 was for the seni. And so I said, wow. I called my. My agent. He says he didn't like your picture. And then I called. I. 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. 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.

[Rudy]

Well. 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]

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 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]

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

[Martin Kove]

I took ownership. Yeah, exactly. And you tried to improve those. I guess they are insufficient qualities that can change your career. And many times I have worked with people 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 plays. And this cast was brilliant, absolutely brilliant. And I never heard of them yet. 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.

[Rudy]

But.

[Martin Kove]

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. I couldn't walk very well. I had stepped on some charcoal. And she said to me, what's going to 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 going to 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. Okay? And it just kept going, you know, and it'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 and being the only child and living in this world of fantasy.

[Rudy]

Yeah, yeah. 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 L. A 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 gonna 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, would 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 Silvio 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]

Yeah. Beautiful, Terrific. Beautiful.

[Martin Kove]

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 line 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]

Good. Well, we'll all be watching. I mean, as we talked about earlier as we were getting ready, it's the.

[Martin Kove]

The.

[Rudy]

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]

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

[Martin Kove]

Absolutely.

[Rudy]

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.