Exclusive: Jesse Kove Talks Cobra Kai, Call of Duty, His Hollywood Legacy, and Screamboat

May 9, 2025 2 Min Read

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We recently sat down with actor Jesse Kove—whose career spans cult-favorite series, blockbuster video games, and indie horror gems. With standout performances in Netflix’s Cobra Kai, the gory horror-comedy Screamboat, and voicing the tough-as-nails character Hammer in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Jesse continues to push boundaries across genres. Our conversation dove into his Hollywood legacy, his journey through action films, forging his own path, and proving himself in an industry where his parents are icons. He also shared stories about his bloodiest death scenes, the stickiest fake blood, the magic of movie nostalgia, and how he sees his role in shaping pop culture moments both past and future.

From an early age, Jesse was drawn to creativity. He picked up his father Marty Kove’s camera and began making skits with his family. He would often travel with his father to sets, which felt like a “Disneyland playground” to him. However, his parents never pushed him into the industry. Instead, Jesse found his own creative spark. He shared that if he hadn’t stepped into the entertainment world, he might have pursued a career with animals, given his deep love for them, or even become a detective, as he has always been fascinated by solving mysteries.

Growing up in a household with a father known for iconic films like the nostalgic favorite Karate Kid franchise, Jesse always admired his father’s legacy but understood the extra effort required to carve out his own path and work harder in order to prove himself.

One of the highlights of our conversation was diving into Cobra Kai, the popular series that has become a pop culture phenomenon. Jesse played David, a character who bullied a young John Kreese in a pivotal diner scene. He mused about how that moment may have subconsciously planted the seeds for Kreese’s “No Mercy” mindset, but adds that it was mostly due to Kreese’s time in the military. “I always joke that I helped start Cobra Kai,” he laughed. When the series came to a close, Jesse admitted he was sad to see it end but remains hopeful. “Cobra Kai never dies” after all.

Jesse also shared how he landed the role, revealing that he had to audition just like everyone else. He reflected on what it was like working with his father—an experience that was both special and unique for him. Looking ahead, Jesse teased exciting upcoming projects with his dad, promising even more thrilling collaborations in the future.

Beyond gore and action, Jesse’s love for film history runs deep. We equally nerded out about the theatrical re-releases of classics like Titanic and Revenge of the Sith, noting how audiences crave nostalgia and the escapism that movies bring.

During our conversation, it was clear how much Jesse loves storytelling and filmmaking. His enthusiasm was contagious, whether he was geeking out with us over horror effects, talking about his admiration for Ridley Scott, or diving deep into fandoms. Jesse Kove is clearly just getting started.