Martin Kove has issued a heartfelt public apology to his "Cobra Kai" co-star Alicia Hannah-Kim, following an incident where he bit her arm during a fan convention on Sunday. In a statement obtained by Variety through Jaffe & Co. Crisis Management, Kove expressed profound regret, stating, "I deeply lament and apologize for my actions concerning the unfortunate incident involving Alicia (Hannah-Kim), a genuinely kind-hearted and remarkable individual who did not deserve to be placed in such a compromising situation."
He continued, "Alicia has always been held in the highest esteem by me, regarded as an exceptionally professional and talented colleague on 'Cobra Kai.' In the spur of the moment, I intended to be playful, but I crossed a line for which there can be no justification. I fully accept responsibility for my conduct and offer my unreserved apologies to Alicia and her husband. I am steadfastly committed to learning from this experience and ensuring that such an occurrence never repeats itself."
According to a report from the Puyallup Police Department, obtained by Variety on Monday, Hannah-Kim accused Kove of assaulting her during a "Cobra Kai" appearance at Summer Con in Puyallup, Washington. The report detailed Hannah-Kim's account to an officer stationed in the VIP section of the event, where she recounted how, after tapping Kove on the shoulder to greet him, he suddenly seized her arm and bit her "with such force that he almost drew blood."
Furthermore, the report mentioned that following her screams of pain, Kove allegedly commenced kissing the area where he had bitten her. Alerting her husband, who was present at the convention, Hannah-Kim and her husband confronted Kove, who reportedly "erupted in anger, berating them for daring to confront him."
Hannah-Kim then informed the officer of the assault. In his defense, Kove told the officer that he was merely attempting to be "funny," adding that they "often engage in playful fighting on the set of 'Cobra Kai.'" Subsequently, Kove was asked to leave the premises. While Hannah-Kim declined to press charges, she requested that a report be filed "in case the behavior continued."
Originally portraying John Kreese, the primary antagonist in the 1984 film "The Karate Kid," Kove reprised his role in two sequels and the "Cobra Kai" spinoff series.
