As Cobra Kai wrapped up its final season, long-time cast member Martin Kove found himself facing renewed attention—not for his performance, but for past misconduct claims that are now making headlines again.
The 78-year-old actor, best known for his role as John Kreese, says the allegations are unfounded and insists he has always been open and honest about what happened.
Harassment Investigation Sparked by Complaint on Set
According to reports, the situation began more than a year ago during filming in Atlanta.
A female extra reportedly filed a complaint saying Kove made her uncomfortable, accusing him of “leering” and being “verbally overt” while on set.
The complaint was taken seriously enough that Sony launched an internal investigation into the incident, aiming to determine whether any action needed to be taken.
Kove Denies Allegations and Says He Cooperated Fully
In an interview with Deadline, Kove strongly denied the allegations.
“It wasn’t true then, and it isn’t true now,” he said.
He acknowledged that Sony did ask him about the incident but claimed he was completely open during the process.
“If there was something to confess, I would be the first to say it,” he told the outlet, adding that he was “completely transparent” when speaking to Sony officials.
Tension Behind the Scenes as Final Season Filmed
Sources say the complaint had enough weight to prompt a serious conversation between Kove and the production team.
He was reportedly “read the riot act” by executives and asked to keep a low profile by staying in his trailer as the investigation played out.
Though he was never formally removed from the set, insiders say producers suggested he apologize to the extra involved—though it remains unclear if he ever did.
No Official Punishment, But Lingering Questions
Despite the seriousness of the complaint, it appears Kove did not face any formal consequences.
A source told Deadline that the matter was discussed internally but not escalated to disciplinary action.
Kove, for his part, refused to go into further detail beyond his public comments.
He did, however, raise suspicions about why the story is resurfacing now, calling it “bizarre” timing since the original incident occurred in April 2024.
New Incident at Fan Event Raises Eyebrows
The recent media attention comes just days after another uncomfortable incident involving Kove.
At Summer Con in Puyallup, Washington, the actor made headlines again when he bit fellow Cobra Kai cast member Alicia Hannah-Kim during a fan event.
Kove later claimed he was just “in character” and immersed in the dynamic between their on-screen roles—but quickly issued a public apology after the moment caused backlash.
Kove Issues Public Apology for Biting Co-Star
In a statement to Deadline, Kove expressed regret for his behavior toward Hannah-Kim, describing her as “a genuinely kind and wonderful person” and admitting he “went too far.”
“I regret my actions for which I take full responsibility,” he said.
“It was meant to be playful, but it wasn’t appropriate.
I sincerely apologize to her and her husband.”
He added that he’s committed to learning from the experience and said: “It will never happen again.”
Cobra Kai Ends, But Drama Spills Beyond the Screen
Cobra Kai—the Netflix revival of the Karate Kid franchise—wrapped up after six seasons, with its final five episodes airing in February.
The show featured stars like Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, and Xolo Maridueña, and was praised for breathing new life into a beloved 1980s series.
While fans celebrated the end of the show’s run, the behind-the-scenes controversies surrounding Kove have cast a more complicated shadow on the farewell.