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Martin Kove’s Public Appearance Ignites Scandal: What’s Really Behind the ‘Yikes’ Moment?

Added on June 29, 2025 inCelebrity News Cards

Well, well, well—if it isn’t Martin Kove, the notorious Mr. John Kreese from “The Karate Kid” and “Cobra Kai,” stepping back into the public eye amid a swirl of eyebrow-raising headlines. Now, here’s a thought to tickle your cosmic curiosity: with Mercury in retrograde shaking up communication and stirring up mischief, could the timing of Kove’s alleged biting incident at a fan convention be more than just coincidence? The 78-year-old actor was spotted wandering shirtless and looking—how do I put this?—definitely not camera-ready in Franklin, Tennessee. This came shortly after his co-star, Alicia Hannah-Kim, claimed he bit her hard enough to nearly draw blood, sparking quite the controversy and leaving fans wildly speculating about his antics. And guess what? Kove himself admitted to the “playful” bite in police footage, though some might argue that “playful” is putting it mildly. So, is this a case of “old-school tough guy” gone off the rails, or just an unfortunate slip in the realm of cosmic chaos? Either way, this star’s reputation is definitely on some hot, hot water right now. LEARN MORE.

Martin Kove, the actor famously known for his role as the villainous John Kreese in “The Karate Kid” and “Cobra Kai,” was seen in public for the first time since accusations were made against him by his co-star, Alicia Hannah-Kim.

The 78-year-old actor was photographed on a walk in Franklin, Tennessee, where he appeared disheveled and did not respond to questions about the alleged assault.

The troubling incident involves Kove allegedly biting his “Cobra Kai” co-star at a fan convention last week. Hannah-Kim, who plays a fellow sensei in the “Cobra Kai” series, reported the incident to police, claiming that Kove bit her so hard that it nearly drew blood.

Martin Kove admitted to the assault in police bodycam footage, which shows him justifying his actions as playful behavior.

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Martin Kove Spotted Shirtless And Unkempt After Biting Incident, Fans React To His Unsettling Appearance

Martin Kove at Netflix's "Cobra Kai" Series Finale Premiere Event
Jeffrey Mayer/JTMPhotos, Int’l. / MEGA

Days after the incident, Kove was seen taking a walk in Franklin, where he puffed on a cigar and strolled shirtless in worn-out gray athletic shorts and black sneakers. He appeared to be having an animated conversation on his phone, though his unkempt appearance and lack of a response to the incident raised eyebrows.

Some onlookers commented on his appearance, with one viewer remarking, “He looks like he’s transforming into a werewolf,” while others expressed dismay at seeing him shirtless, calling it “yikes” and “we do not need to see this.”

“He did not age well,” someone else said.

The photos of Kove’s recent outing were obtained by the Daily Mail.

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Kove Faces Renewed Scrutiny Amid Sexual Harassment Investigation And Biting Incident

Martin Kove at Netflix's "Cobra Kai" Series Finale Premiere Event
Jeffrey Mayer/JTMPhotos, Int’l. / MEGA

Kove has denied these allegations, calling them “untrue” in a statement to Deadline on Thursday.

However, the latest accusation, stemming from the shocking biting incident, has reignited discussions about his conduct on set and in public.

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Martin Kove Accused Of Biting Co-Star Alicia Hannah-Kim At Fan Convention

Alicia Hannah-Kim at Los Angeles Premiere Of Paramount+ Series' '1923' Season 2
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA

The confrontation at the Washington State Summer Con in Puyallup, Washington, took a dramatic turn when Kove allegedly bit Hannah-Kim while the two were attending the convention.

According to reports, she screamed in pain and confronted him immediately, demanding an explanation for his actions. “You cannot bite people, that is not OK!” she yelled, adding, “You have left a mark on my body, which in your 80-year-old brain, you think is play.”

Kove’s justification for the incident, captured on police bodycam footage, included him describing his actions as part of a playful dynamic between the two, stating that he was “just playing” and that he had “bit down too hard.”

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He tried to excuse his behavior by claiming that their roles as senseis on “Cobra Kai” led to playful interactions, including physicality on screen.

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Kove Rejects Criminal Charge After Biting Incident

Martin Kove at Los Angeles Premiere And Fan Event For Netflix's 'Squid Game' Season 2
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA

When confronted by police, Kove was informed that his actions had constituted a crime, which he seemed to reject.

“I didn’t interpret the bite as a crime,” he said, a statement that further enraged Hannah-Kim. “It’s not interpreted as a crime! He can take you away in handcuffs! You committed a crime, that’s why we’re here!” she retorted, showing officers the faint teeth marks on her upper arm.

After the news broke and photos began to surface online, Kove released a statement expressing his regret over the incident.

“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,” Kove said, per TMZ. “I was being playful in the moment, but went too far, and there is absolutely no excuse for my behavior.”

He concluded with, “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.”

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Martin Kove’s Reputation Under Fire After Biting Incident

Martin Kove at Netflix's "Cobra Kai" Series Finale Premiere Event
Jeffrey Mayer/JTMPhotos, Int’l. / MEGA

While Kove’s past behavior on set has been a point of controversy, this recent incident has left fans and co-stars alike questioning his actions.

As the investigation continues, the actor’s reputation continues to be scrutinized, and it remains unclear what the long-term fallout will be from this latest controversy.

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