Martin Kove
Actor
Birth Date: March 6, 1946
Age: 79 years old
Birth Place: Brooklyn, New York
Children: Jesse Kove
Martin Kove has been in some of the most beloved movies and TV shows of the 1980s. Perhaps his best-known role came in "The Karate Kid" (1984) as evil martial-arts sensei John Kreese, instructor to the rivals of Ralph Macchio's title character. During the 1970s he began his steady career in a grab bag of film and television roles, until he landed the part of villain Nero the Hero in the 1975 cult classic "Death Race 2000." Guest appearances on the crime shows "Charlie's Angels" and "CHiPs" led to another big break when he landed the role of detective Victor Isbecki on the 1980s favorite "Cagney & Lacey."
His role as the very focused and very mean Cobra Kai sensei John Kreese followed in 1984, and Kove went on to reprise the role in the 1986 and 1989 sequels. It was after his notable performance in the first "Karate Kid" that he landed a part as a backstabbing helicopter pilot in "Rambo: First Blood Part II"(1985) and also "The Karate Kid Part II" (1986) and "The Karate Kid Part III" (1989). Kove went on to appear in other films such as " Falcon Song" (2014), "Assassin X" (2016), "Once Upon a Time In Hollywood" (2019) and "Max Reload and the Nether Blasters" (2020). More recently he reprised his role as John Kreese in "Cobra Kai" (YouTube Red/Netflix, 2017- ).
Credits
Mobbed Up
Actor
Movie
2025
Killing Mary Sue
Actor
Knox
Movie
2025
A Taste of LoveStream
Actor
Glenn
Movie
2024
Aging Evolution
Self
Movie
2024
Dark Night of the Soul
Actor
Movie
2024
Fight Another Day
Actor
Fischer
Movie
2024
Queen of the RingStream
Actor
Al Haft
Movie
2024
Far HavenStream
Actor
Ambrose Masse
Movie
2023
Savage: The Bigfoot Legend...Lives
Actor
Movie
2023
BarmageddonStream
Guest
Reality
2022
More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story
Self
Movie
2021
3 Tickets to Paradise
Actor
Felix
Movie
2021
Finding Sara
Actor
Lemley
Show
2020
The Wizard of PawsStream
Self
Reality
2020
Day 13
Actor
Magnus Torvald
Movie
2020
Max Reload and the Nether Blasters
Actor
Gramps Jenkins
Movie
2020
Bring Me a Dream
Actor
Sheriff Jack Miller
Movie
2020
Access Daily
Guest
Talk
2019
The Savant
Actor
John Sonsay
Show
2019
Bare Knuckle Brawler
Actor
Mike Calderon
Movie
2019
A Karate Christmas Miracle
Actor
Sam
Movie
2019
VFW
Actor
Lou Clayton
Movie
2019
Klub ratnih veterana
Actor
Movie
2019
Warning: No Trespassing
Actor
Marty the CIA agent
Show
2018
Cobra KaiStream
Actor
John Kreese
Series
2018
Cobra KaiStream
Guest Star
Kreese
Series
2018
Paint It Red
Actor
Scabs
Movie
2018
Garlic and Gunpowder
Actor
Agent Tracey
Movie
2017
Traded
Actor
Cavendish
Movie
2016
Wild Bill Hickok: Swift Justice
Actor
Rayord
Movie
2016
Joker's Wild
Actor
Graham Palace
Movie
2016
2 Lava 2 Lantula
Actor
Colonel Jester
Movie
2016
Assassin X
Actor
Frank
Movie
2016
The Dog Who Saved SummerStream
Actor
Vernon
Movie
2015
Price for Freedom
Actor
Ayatollah Khalkhali
Movie
2015
Running Forever
Actor
Carson
Movie
2015
Six Gun Savior
Actor
The Mentor
Movie
2015
Falcon Song
Actor
Caspian
Movie
2014
Tapped Out
Actor
Principal Vanhorne
Movie
2014
Eternity: The Movie
Actor
Barry Goldfield Sr.
Movie
2014
Snapshot
Actor
Jack Adams
Movie
2014
Rice Girl
Actor
Capt. Ron Williams
Movie
2014
Tumbleweed: A True Story
Actor
Silver Bush
Movie
2014
Number Runner
Actor
Bingo Brown
Movie
2014
The GoldbergsStream
Guest Star
Master John
Series
2013
Reality Terror Night
Actor
Othello Lazarus
Movie
2013
I'm in Love With a Church Girl
Actor
Terry Edgemond
Movie
2013
Friend Request
Actor
Captain Meyers
Movie
2013
Our Wild Hearts
Actor
Grizz
Movie
2013
Silent But Deadly
Actor
Hodge
Movie
2012
Assassin's Code
Actor
Tony Brill
Movie
2011
The Life Zone
Actor
Randy Graves
Movie
2011
The Great Fight
Actor
John Cooper
Movie
2011
The Ascent
Actor
Movie
2010
Bare Knuckles
Actor
Sonny Cool
Movie
2010
Carmen's Kiss
Actor
Drayton
Movie
2010
Savage
Actor
Jack Lund
Movie
2009
Ballistica
Actor
Riley
Movie
2009
Beyond the Ring
Actor
Uncle Patrick
Movie
2008
Revamped
Actor
Det. Reeger
Movie
2007
Kiss of the Vampire
Actor
Steven Miles
Movie
2007
Max Havoc: Ring of Fire
Actor
Lt. Reynolds
Movie
2006
The Veteran
Actor
Movie
2006
Soft Target
Actor
Jake Lawlor
Movie
2006
Fallen Angels
Actor
Daniels
Movie
2006
Exit 38
Actor
Reese
Movie
2006
Criminal MindsStream
Guest Star
Series
2005
Dancing With the StarsStream
Contestant
Reality
2005
Glass Trap
Actor
Corrigan
Movie
2005
Devil's Knight
Actor
Zeff
Movie
2004
The Hollywood Mom's Mystery
Actor
Sandy Palumbo
Movie
2004
Alien Lockdown
Actor
Anslow
Movie
2004
Barbarian
Actor
Munkar
Movie
2003
Hard Ground
Actor
Flooyd
Movie
2003
Paradise
Actor
Taxi Driver
Movie
2003
Último Rey Guerrero
Actor
Movie
2003
Shattered Lies
Actor
Tom Reynolds
Movie
2002
Escorpión Negro
Actor
Jack Ames/Firearm
Movie
2002
Gentle Ben
Actor
Cully
Movie
2002
Crocodile 2: Death SwampStream
Actor
Roland
Movie
2002
Under Heavy Fire
Actor
Father Brazinski
Movie
2002
Trance
Actor
Robert Leoni
Movie
2002
Con Games
Actor
Redick
Movie
2001
Assault on Death Mountain
Actor
Andy Powers
Movie
1999
La Pista del Crimen
Actor
Captain Peter James
Movie
1999
Joseph's Gift
Actor
Thompsonn
Movie
1998
Top of the World
Actor
Carl
Movie
1998
Nowhere Land
Actor
Hank
Movie
1998
The Thief and the Stripper
Actor
Crow
Movie
1998
Sliding Home
Actor
Samuel J. Weber
Movie
1997
Mercenary
Actor
Phoenix
Movie
1997
Assault on Devil's Island
Actor
Andy Powers
Movie
1997
Grizzly Mountain
Actor
Marshal Jackson
Movie
1997
The Marksmen
Actor
Samuel J. Weber
Movie
1997
Judge and Jury
Actor
Michael Silvano
Movie
1996
Hercules: The Legendary JourneysStream
Guest Star
Series
1995
Without Mercy
Actor
Wolf Larsen
Movie
1995
Final Equinox
Actor
Torman
Movie
1995
Baby Face Nelson
Actor
John Dillinger
Movie
1995
Burke's Law
Guest Star
Joe Tanner
Show
1994
Uncivilized
Actor
DeVoe
Movie
1994
Wyatt Earp: Return to Tombstone
Actor
Ed Ross
Movie
1994
Cagney & Lacey: The ReturnStream
Actor
Isbecki
Movie
1994
Savage Land
Actor
Jabal
Movie
1994
Death Match
Actor
Paul Landis
Movie
1994
Lightning in a Bottle
Actor
Duane Furber
Movie
1994
Diagnosis MurderStream
Guest Star
Series
1993
Walker, Texas RangerStream
Guest Star
Series
1993
Masacre a la Hora de Matar
Actor
Movie
1993
To Be the Best
Actor
Rick Kulhane
Movie
1993
The Outfit
Actor
Agent Baker
Movie
1993
Future Shock
Actor
Dr. Langdon
Movie
1993
President's Target
Actor
Sam Nicholson
Movie
1993
RenegadeStream
Guest Star
Mitch Raines/Goliath
Series
1992
Proyecto Sombra Nuclear
Actor
Movie
1992
Project: Shadowchaser
Actor
Desilva
Movie
1992
Firehawk
Actor
Stewart
Movie
1992
Shootfighter: Fight to the Death
Actor
Mr. Lee
Movie
1992
Silk StalkingsStream
Director
Series
1991
White Light
Actor
Sean Craig
Movie
1991
Tales From the Crypt
Actor
Series
1989
Hard Time on Planet Earth
Actor
Jesse
Show
1989
The Karate Kid Part IIIStream
Actor
John Kreese
Movie
1989
Higher Ground
Actor
Rick Loden
Movie
1988
Steele Justice
Actor
John Steele
Movie
1987
The Karate Kid Part IIStream
Actor
Kreese
Movie
1986
The Twilight Zone
Actor
Series
1985
Rambo: First Blood Part IIStream
Actor
Ericson
Movie
1985
Murder, She WroteStream
Guest Star
Dr. Ellison
Series
1984
The Karate KidStream
Actor
John Kreese
Movie
1984
Cagney & LaceyStream
Actor
Det. Victor Isbecki
Series
1982
Cry for the Strangers
Actor
Jeff
Movie
1982
Blood Tide
Actor
Neil Grice
Movie
1981
Beyond WestworldStream
Guest Star
Series
1980
The Yeagers
Actor
Willie Yeager
Movie
1980
Seven
Actor
Skip
Movie
1979
The Incredible HulkStream
Guest Star
Series
1978
CHiPsStream
Guest Star
Series
1977
The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew MysteriesStream
Guest Star
Series
1977
Code R
Actor
George Baker
Show
1977
The White BuffaloStream
Actor
Jack McCall
Movie
1977
Charlie's AngelsStream
Guest Star
Series
1976
Kingston: The Power Play
Actor
Movie
1976
Starsky & HutchStream
Guest Star
Series
1975
White Line Fever
Actor
Clem
Movie
1975
The Four Deuces
Actor
Smokey Ross
Movie
1975
Death Race 2000Stream
Actor
Nero the Hero
Movie
1975
Rhoda
Guest Star
Series
1974
Road Movie
Actor
Weigh Station Cop
Movie
1974
KojakStream
Guest Star
Burl Slote
Series
1973
Barnaby JonesStream
Guest Star
Series
1973
The Streets of San FranciscoStream
Guest Star
Willis Hines
Series
1972
The Rookies
Guest Star
Series
1972
The Last House on the LeftStream
Actor
Deputy
Movie
1972
Women in Revolt
Actor
Marty
Movie
1971
GunsmokeStream
Guest Star
Guthrie
Series
1955
Photos
News aboutMartin Kove
Following Biting Incident, Bill Hader’s Wild Story About Martin Kove Goes Viral
‘Cobra Kai’s Alicia Hannah-Kim Speaks Out After Being ‘Bitten’ by Costar Martin Kove
Q&A
Emily Bett Rickards on How ‘Arrow’ Fame Prepared Her for ‘Queen of the Ring’
Q&A
‘Cobra Kai’ Star Martin Kove Opens Up About Final Season & Saying Goodbye to John Kreese
‘Cobra Kai’ Season 6 Trailer Raises the Stakes: Everything We Know About Final Season (VIDEO)
Ralph Macchio & William Zabka Give ‘Cobra Kai’ Sneak Peek as Final Season Begins Production (VIDEO)
Exclusive
Jay Pharoah Brings His Kevin Hart Impression to ‘Barmageddon’ in Sneak Peek (VIDEO)
‘Cobra Kai’ Co-Creator Addresses the New ‘Karate Kid’ Spinoff Movie
‘Cobra Kai’: Old Rivalries Come to a Head in Full Season 5 Trailer (VIDEO)
‘Cobra Kai’ Season 5 First Look Teases Return of Former Foe & More (PHOTOS)
‘Cobra Kai’ Sets Season 5 Premiere as Netflix Unveils First Kick-Ass Teaser (VIDEO)
12 ‘Karate Kid’ Characters Who Reprised Their Roles on ‘Cobra Kai’
Q&A
‘DWTS’ Pro Britt Stewart on Putting Diversity ‘at the Forefront’ in Season 30
Spoiler Alert
‘Dancing With the Stars’ Episode 2: The First Elimination & a COVID Case Shake Things Up (RECAP)
Spoiler Alert
‘Dancing With the Stars’ 2021 Premiere: Milestone 30th Season Makes History (RECAP)
15 Surprising Facts About the ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 30 Cast
Preview
‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 30 Cast Shares Their First Impressions
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