Martin Kove Talks About Becoming Heat In Hollywood With Cobra Kai
Cobra Kai is a Netflix series that was created as a spinoff for the popular franchise, Karate Kid. The spinoff series has helped the careers of many senior actors such as William Zabka and Ralph Macchio. These actors portrayed timeless antagonists to each other as they play Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso's character.
The series has marked the franchise's one of the most famous villains, Sensei John Kreese’s return. The character is portrayed by Martin Kove and the previous two seasons are available on Netflix to stream from Aug. 28 onwards.
While in Karate Kid the actor played a strong character that became memorable to fans across the globe, he cemented his feet in Hollywood with leading roles in series such as Cagney & Lacey released in 1981. The 74-year-old actor swiftly moved from television to films such as Rambo: First Blood Part II and Steele Justice.
The actor soon became popular globally as then Vietnam veteran villain turned into a martial artist in the original Karate Kid that released in 1984. Kove went on and worked in sequels that released in 1986 and 1989. The character became not only a blessing but also a curse for the actor.
While working in movies and television, the actor always seeks roles that were different and challenging. However, Sensei John Kreese's character seemed to have a huge impact on his professional life. Even strangers on the street or fans used to say his dialogues at him from the movie.
However, Cobra Kai is allowing the actor to portray the character once more. Initially, the first two seasons of the series were aired on YouTube Red while now, the series has been shifted to Netflix. Apart from the two seasons, the online streaming giant has roped in the third season to premiere on the platform.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the actor revealed that the revival of Kreese's character ensured him becoming the heat in the business again.
"The [original movie] was a religious experience to so many. Ralph Macchio, Billy and I, we've gotten to do all the [fan shows and conventions] and stay together 30 years before this new series came along," Kove said.
The actor said that Karate Kid is like a present to him that keeps coming his way. He remembered the original writer of the first-ever released franchise, Robert Mark Kamen. The actor praised the writing and recalled iconic dialogues such as Wax On, Wax Off.