"Karate Kid" Star Allegedly Expelled from Event Following Co-Star Biting Incident, Initially Reported by Parade
Martin Kove, renowned for his portrayal of the villainous John Kreese in both the original "Karate Kid" franchise and its Netflix spin-off "Cobra Kai," was reportedly ejected from a fan convention in Washington over the weekend amidst allegations of assaulting his co-star, Alicia Hannah-Kim.
According to a report secured by TMZ from the Puyallup Police Department, the 78-year-old actor stands accused by Hannah-Kim of biting her arm so fiercely that he nearly drew blood. She further alleges that, amidst her cries of pain, Kove kissed the bitten area.
Hannah-Kim reportedly recounted to a police officer stationed at the event that Kove, unprovoked, seized her arm and sank his teeth into it after she greeted him as she passed by. Both she and her husband, Sebastian Roché, who witnessed the alleged altercation, claim they promptly condemned Kove's actions as wholly unacceptable. Kove, reportedly "furious" at their reaction, allegedly dismissed the incident by stating he bit Hannah-Kim "for fun."
While Hannah-Kim opted not to press charges, she did request an informational report, incorporating statements from herself and her husband, as a precautionary measure should a similar situation arise in the future. Photographs were also taken, capturing what police described as a "prominent bite mark on her arm, already displaying signs of bruising and discoloration."
Police informed TMZ that Kove eventually acknowledged his error and apologized to Hannah-Kim and her husband for his conduct in the presence of the officer. Nonetheless, authorities allegedly instructed Kove to vacate the premises immediately despite his apology.
Kove's illustrious career includes his iconic role in "The Karate Kid" saga and its continuation in "Cobra Kai," whereas Hannah-Kim made her mark in the latter as Kim Da-Eun, the franchise's first female sensei.
This incident, initially covered by Parade on June 24, 2025, underscores a regrettable chapter in what has otherwise been a storied partnership between two key figures in the "Karate Kid" universe.
