After biting co-star Alicia Hannah-Kim so hard that it almost caused blood, Martin Kove, 78, of Cobra Kai, was ejected from a Washington State fan convention. The police responded, and Kove later apologized. The incident happened at Washington State’s Summer Con in Puyallup during a VIP meet-and-greet. After Hannah-Kim tapped him on the shoulder and kissed the already bruised spot, Kove bit her arm. Upon being confronted, Kove first became irate and denied any wrongdoing before acknowledging that he believed his actions were “humorous.”
Unexpected Confrontation at Fan Convention
The altercation between the Cobra Kai co-stars took place at Washington State’s Summer Con in Puyallup during what should have been a routine VIP meet-and-greet. According to police reports, Hannah-Kim tapped Kove on the shoulder in greeting, after which Kove grabbed her arm and bit it with significant force. The bite was severe enough to leave a visible mark that began bruising immediately. After the bite, Kove proceeded to kiss the area he had just bitten, further escalating the uncomfortable situation.
When Hannah-Kim and her husband, actor Sebastian Roche, later confronted Kove about his behavior, the situation deteriorated further. According to the Puyallup Police Department report, Kove “exploded on them, saying something to the effect of how dare they confront him.” This angry response prompted convention security to involve local law enforcement, who documented the incident as a potential assault case.
Martin Kove has issued a public apology to his “Cobra Kai” co-star Alicia Hannah-Kim after biting her at a fan convention:
“I deeply regret and apologize for my actions regarding the incident with Alicia (Hannah-Kim), a genuinely kind and wonderful person who didn’t deserve to… pic.twitter.com/jbVjXqPmdT
— Variety (@Variety) June 25, 2025
Police Involvement and Legal Implications
Bodycam footage from responding officers captured Hannah-Kim describing the incident as a “felony assault” while refusing Kove’s attempted apology. The officers informed Kove that his actions could potentially result in criminal charges. During his interaction with police, Kove admitted that he thought his actions were meant to be humorous, a justification that did little to mitigate the seriousness of the situation.
“I’m ashamed of your dignity as an 80-year-old man to scream at a lady that you just BIT.” – Alicia Hannah-Kim
A responding officer was direct with Kove about the potential consequences, stating that his actions were “absolutely illegal” and that he had “not only crossed boundaries but broken the law.” The officer further explained that the incident “was being investigated as an assault, and he could potentially be booked into jail or issued a citation for his unprovoked biting and kissing.” Following this warning, Kove left the event at the officer’s recommendation.
Martin Kove has made an official apology to his Cobra Kai co-star Alicia Hannah-Kim for biting her arm at a fan convention this weekend. https://t.co/SZHpeV3YPM
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 26, 2025
Public Apology and Aftermath
After the incident gained public attention, Kove issued a formal apology through media channels. The 78-year-old actor, best known for his role as the intimidating sensei John Kreese in both The Karate Kid films and the Cobra Kai series, expressed regret for his behavior toward Hannah-Kim, who joined the cast as rival sensei Kim Da-Eun in the show’s fifth season.
“I deeply regret and apologize for my actions regarding the incident with Alicia [Hannah-Kim], a genuinely kind and wonderful person who didn’t deserve to be put in this position.” – Martin Kove
In his statement, Kove took “full responsibility” for the incident, acknowledging that he had “always respected her and considered her a highly professional and talented co-worker.” He admitted to being “playful in the moment” but conceded that he “went too far” and that there was “absolutely no excuse” for his behavior. Kove concluded his apology by committing to “learning from this” and ensuring “it will never happen again.”
While Hannah-Kim chose not to press charges against her co-star, she did request that the incident be formally documented should any similar situations arise in the future. The veteran actor, who has accumulated over 230 acting credits throughout his career, now faces potential professional repercussions as the entertainment industry and fans process the incident and his subsequent apology.
Sources:
- Martin Kove Apologizes for Biting ‘Cobra Kai’ Co-Star Alicia Hannah-Kim’s Arm: “I Regret My Actions”