Martin Kove, a legendary actor best known for his iconic role as John Kreese in The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai. With over 200 screen credits and decades in the entertainment industry, Kove shares the deeper values behind his success—tenacity, passion, and perseverance. From humble beginnings and early career challenges to launching new ventures alongside his son, Kove paints a picture of unwavering determination in the face of industry setbacks.
In this inspiring episode, Martin opens up about rejection, resilience, and redefining "making it" as earning the respect of one’s peers. He also discusses his latest projects, including a new graphic novel and cigar line called The Prodigal Son. With stories of near-misses, tough auditions, and late-in-life creativity, Martin’s message is clear: never stop pursuing your dream, no matter how long it takes or how many times you hear “no.”
CHAPTER TITLES
02:10 –From Brooklyn to Hollywood: Martin’s Early Drive
04:00 –What My Agent Told Me That Changed Everything
06:15 –You’ll Get Rejected 9 Times—Here’s How I Handled It
07:40 –Audition Nightmares: “I Was Flat”
09:05 –The Harsh Truth: You Might Never Make It
10:10 –The Talk with My Wife That Shifted My Mindset
11:20 –Why Respect Mattered More Than Fame
12:30 –You Gotta Love the Journey, Not Just the Win
13:30 –Living the Red Life in Hollywood’s Chaos
14:40 –How Cobra Kai Reinvented My Career
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