Martin Kove Sparks Frenzy In Public Outing Amid Biting Scandal: 'Yikes'

Martin Kove, the actor famously known for his role as the villainous John Kreese in "The Karate Kid" and "Cobra Kai," was seen in public for the first time since accusations were made against him by his co-star, Alicia Hannah-Kim.

The 78-year-old actor was photographed on a walk in Franklin, Tennessee, where he appeared disheveled and did not respond to questions about the alleged assault.

The troubling incident involves Kove allegedly biting his "Cobra Kai" co-star at a fan convention last week. Hannah-Kim, who plays a fellow sensei in the "Cobra Kai" series, reported the incident to police, claiming that Kove bit her so hard that it nearly drew blood.

Martin Kove admitted to the assault in police bodycam footage, which shows him justifying his actions as playful behavior.

Days after the incident, Kove was seen taking a walk in Franklin, where he puffed on a cigar and strolled shirtless in worn-out gray athletic shorts and black sneakers. He appeared to be having an animated conversation on his phone, though his unkempt appearance and lack of a response to the incident raised eyebrows.

Some onlookers commented on his appearance, with one viewer remarking, “He looks like he’s transforming into a werewolf,” while others expressed dismay at seeing him shirtless, calling it “yikes” and “we do not need to see this.”

"He did not age well," someone else said.

The photos of Kove's recent outing were obtained by the Daily Mail.

This strange sighting comes as Kove finds himself at the center of a sexual harassment investigation that dates back to last year, following Sony's scrutiny of his behavior on the "Cobra Kai" set.

Kove has denied these allegations, calling them “untrue” in a statement to Deadline on Thursday.

However, the latest accusation, stemming from the shocking biting incident, has reignited discussions about his conduct on set and in public.

The confrontation at the Washington State Summer Con in Puyallup, Washington, took a dramatic turn when Kove allegedly bit Hannah-Kim while the two were attending the convention.

According to reports, she screamed in pain and confronted him immediately, demanding an explanation for his actions. “You cannot bite people, that is not OK!” she yelled, adding, “You have left a mark on my body, which in your 80-year-old brain, you think is play.”

Kove’s justification for the incident, captured on police bodycam footage, included him describing his actions as part of a playful dynamic between the two, stating that he was “just playing” and that he had “bit down too hard.”

He tried to excuse his behavior by claiming that their roles as senseis on "Cobra Kai" led to playful interactions, including physicality on screen.

However, his explanation did little to appease the situation.

When confronted by police, Kove was informed that his actions had constituted a crime, which he seemed to reject.

“I didn’t interpret the bite as a crime,” he said, a statement that further enraged Hannah-Kim. “It’s not interpreted as a crime! He can take you away in handcuffs! You committed a crime, that’s why we’re here!” she retorted, showing officers the faint teeth marks on her upper arm.

After the news broke and photos began to surface online, Kove released a statement expressing his regret over the incident.

"I deeply regret and apologize for my actions regarding the incident with Alicia, a genuinely kind and wonderful person who didn't deserve to be put in this position," Kove said, per TMZ. "I was being playful in the moment, but went too far, and there is absolutely no excuse for my behavior."

He concluded with, "I regret my actions for which I take full responsibility for what I did, and again I apologize to her and her husband. I'm committed to learning from this, and it will never happen again."

While Kove’s past behavior on set has been a point of controversy, this recent incident has left fans and co-stars alike questioning his actions.

As the investigation continues, the actor’s reputation continues to be scrutinized, and it remains unclear what the long-term fallout will be from this latest controversy.