About this episode
Martin Kove , a legendary actor best known for his iconic role as John Kreese in The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai. With over 200 screen credits and decades in the entertainment industry, Kove shares the deeper values behind his success—tenacity, passion, and perseverance. From humble beginnings and early career challenges to launching new ventures alongside his son, Kove paints a picture of unwavering determination in the face of industry setbacks. In this inspiring episode, Martin opens up about rejection, resilience, and redefining "making it" as earning the respect of one’s peers. He also discusses his latest projects, including a new graphic novel and cigar line called The Prodigal Son . With stories of near-misses, tough auditions, and late-in-life creativity, Martin’s message is clear: never stop pursuing your dream, no matter how long it takes or how many times you hear “no.” CHAPTER TITLES 02:10 – From Brooklyn to Hollywood: Martin’s Early Drive 04:00 – What My Agent Told Me That Changed Everything 06:15 – You’ll Get Rejected 9 Times—Here’s How I Handled It 07:40 – Audition Nightmares: “I Was Flat” 09:05 – The Harsh Truth: You Might Never Make It 10:10 – The Talk with My Wife That Shifted My Mindset 11:20 – Why Respect Mattered More Than Fame 12:30 – You Gotta Love the Journey, Not Just the Win 13:30 – Living the Red Life in Hollywood’s Chaos 14:40 – How Cobra Kai Reinvented My Career Connect with Rudy Mawer: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter