Cobra Kai actor Martin Kove is accused of seriously harming a fellow co-star

Cobra Kai is a popular American martial arts comedy-drama series that follows the events of Karate Kid movie. Set 34 years after the original film, it follows Johnny Lawrence as he reopens the Cobra Kai dojo in search of purpose. This reignites his feud with Daniel LaRusso, a successful businessman as per show’s storyline.

The show uses action-packed karate scenes and character-driven storytelling to address themes such as atonement, mentorship, and generational conflict. Cobra Kai, which aired six seasons and 65 episodes, was a Netflix sensation, lauded for its humor, nostalgia, and current spin on the legendary movie.

Martin Kove, renowned for his role as John Kreese in Cobra Kai, allegedly bit co-star Alicia Hannah-Kim at a fan gathering on June 22, 2025. Hannah-Kim reported noticeable bruises. Kove said it was intended as a joke. He was asked to leave the gathering.

More about Cobra Kai actor Martin Kove biting Alicia Hannah-Kim

The well-known actor Martin Kove, who played John Kreese in The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai, has been charged with assaulting co-star Alicia Hannah-Kim at a fan convention and according to reports, the event happened at a meet-and-greet at Summer Con in Puyallup, Washington, on Sunday, June 22, 2025.

Alicia Hannah-Kim, 37, claimed that Kove, 78, unexpectedly bit her on the arm as she approached his booth, according to a police record that was obtained by a number of media publications, including USA Today and Deadline.

"The bite was so hard it almost broke the skin," she said.

Despite her obvious distress, Kove allegedly attempted to kiss the damaged region after the bite. She was visibly bruised and swollen after the assault.

Responding officer Eric Barry described the damage in his report as:

"A very noticeable bite mark that was already turning blue and bruising."

Officer Barry also stated that Kove admitted to biting Hannah-Kim, explaining that it was done as a joke and that they frequently engage in lively banter on set. However, Hannah-Kim insisted that there was nothing humorous about the encounter and that the action was entirely unexpected.

Kove was asked to leave the convention after the report. According to sources familiar with the situation, it was resolved quickly and quietly. Despite the rapid settlement, news of the alleged incident spread swiftly.

Martin has publicly apologized for his behavior as well:

"I deeply regret and apologize for my actions regarding the incident with Alicia, a genuinely kind and wonderful person who didn’t deserve to be put in this position...I was being playful in the moment but went too far and there is absolutely no excuse for my behavior. I regret my actions for which I take full responsibility for what I did, and again I apologize to her and her husband. I’m committed to learning from this and it will never happen again.”

Since the 1984 release of the first Karate Kid movie, Martin Kove has played a significant part in the series. He has returned for all six seasons of Cobra Kai.

The Australian actress Alicia Hannah-Kim, who has been in shows including General Hospital, Grey's Anatomy, and Minx, joined the cast in Season 5 as Kim Da-Eun.

Trending

Stay tuned to Soap Central for regular updates on daily soaps, TV shows, and movies.

Also Read: Why is Netflix taking nearly 21 months to release new seasons of shows? Explained in depth

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback