Why ‘Cobra Kai’ star Martin Kove was reluctant to join the series

Actor Martin Kove wasn’t sure he wanted to reprise his role as “Karate Kid” in Netflix’s “Cobra Kai”.

Admitting that he had to be “persuaded” to return by the writers of the show, Kove – who plays the evil karate teacher John Kreese – told Page Six: “I was only interested in playing this role if he was a multifaceted character. ”

The most recent season of “Cobra Kai,” which released on January 1, explores the backstory of Kove’s character, which includes a difficult childhood and agonizing time spent as a soldier in Vietnam.

“I don’t see him as a bad guy,” Kove, 74, told us. “I consider him a misunderstood character.”

He continued, “People don’t really hate my character, especially now they understand better what makes him who he is.”

And while fans now have a richer Kreese history, when the original film first came out, they weren’t quite as likable. Kove said he was previously punched in the back at a supermarket while shopping in Malibu.

Kove laughed: “I turned around and it was a little kid about 7 and he said, ‘You hurt Ralph. [Macchio]! ”

Meanwhile, “Cobra Kai” actress Courtney Henggeler admitted to Page Six that she was about to leave Hollywood when she landed her role on the show.