About this episodeMartin Kove reflects on his role as Johnny Lawrence in Cobra Kai, detailing his transition from kendo to black…AI summary
Martin Kove reflects on his role as Johnny Lawrence in Cobra Kai, detailing his transition from kendo to black belt in Okinawan karate and discussing the show's final season. He shares anecdotes from his career, including working with Quentin Tarantino on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, his love for westerns and horse riding, and his personal journey dealing with residual personality traits from playing John Kreese.
Key takeaways 5
Martin Kove earned a black belt in Okinawan karate under Sensei Taye while filming The Karate Kid, emphasizing that martial arts require constant practice to maintain rank and skill.
Kove discusses the psychological impact of playing John Kreese for five months annually, noting that traits like impatience and a 'my way or the highway' attitude became residual effects that he had to consciously work on in his personal life.
Kove shares a specific behind-the-scenes moment with Quentin Tarantino on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, where Tarantino recognized a classic John Ford pose (from My Darling Clementine) that Kove was using.
Kove is developing a graphic novel and TV series based on his comic book 'The Prodigal Son,' which features an old gunfighter bonding with a 12-year-old kid, reflecting his interest in heroes with vulnerability rather than manufactured Marvel-style heroes.
Kove prefers the slow pace of horse riding over driving, citing it as a way to be 'at one with the earth,' and admits he dislikes driving, preferring to sit in the back seat of an Uber.
Notable quotes 5AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“The purpose of karate is knowing that you can take someone you can beat someone without having to physically prove it.”
▶ 3:59Kove explaining the philosophy behind martial arts training and self-control.
“When you don't practice, you don't practice, someone kick your ass in a strip mall.”
▶ 3:46Kove humorously explaining why maintaining martial arts skills is necessary.
“I just don't think kids have heroes these days. Yeah, these manufactured Marvel heroes aren't really what I'm talking about. Talking about, you know, John Wayne out of the Searchers and Red River and, you know, heroes with vulnerability.”
▶ 7:00Kove discussing his creative project 'The Prodigal Son' and his preference for classic western archetypes.
“And then he turns around to a couple hundred people on the crew and he says, 'And do you know why?' And the crew in unison is just all together goes, 'Because we love to make movies.'”
▶ 11:25Kove recounting a memorable moment with Quentin Tarantino on the set of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
“I have this thing like John Crease where there's three levels which have carried on as a residual problem in my life. Number one, the impatience with people. Number two, it's my way or the highway. And that John Crease was very much like that. And omnipotent.”
▶ 12:17Kove reflecting on the long-term psychological impact of playing his iconic villain role.
Chapters & Sections (7)▼
0:00Cobra Kai Martial Arts and Hiking Adventurechapter1
1:48Kendo Training and Martial Arts Philosophy
4:45Westerns, Cigars, and Uber Storieschapter1
7:00Modern Heroes, Muscle Cars, and Uber Mishaps
9:09Horse Riding, Tarantino, and Cobra Kai Legacychapter2
11:33Cobra Kai's Residual Character Traits
13:07Tap Dancing, Synchronized Swimming, and Cigars
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