Martin Kove's Height
5ft 11 ¼ (181 cm)
Peak height was 6ft ½ in (184.2 cm)
American Actor, best known for appearing in The Karate Kid. This height has been mentioned back in 1987 (Chicago Times) "The muscular, 6-foot-1 Kove"
Photo by PR Photos
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Add a Comment53 comments
Average Guess (59 Votes)
Peak: 6ft 0.27in (183.6cm)
Current: 5ft 11.11in (180.6cm)
Peak: 6ft 0.27in (183.6cm)
Current: 5ft 11.11in (180.6cm)
Progking185 said on 6/Jun/23
He did look fairly tall and not that much shorter than Thomas Griffith, 6'0 1/2 peak probably or maybe closer to 6'0, looks fraction shorter than me
He did look fairly tall and not that much shorter than Thomas Griffith, 6'0 1/2 peak probably or maybe closer to 6'0, looks fraction shorter than me
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 27/Apr/23
Weak 6ft1 prime isn't impossible...
Weak 6ft1 prime isn't impossible...
Slamo said on 27/Dec/22
Looked slightly shorter than Richard crenna in Rambo. 6-0 peak. Now looks 5-11
Looked slightly shorter than Richard crenna in Rambo. 6-0 peak. Now looks 5-11
Iceman1990 said on 16/Jun/22
He used to claim he was 6ft1.5 so that be in shoes height so he would of been 1.84cm barefoot and between 1.86.7 to 187cm in shoes depending on the sole size hes around 5ft11 1.80cm today barefoot and 1.82cm to 1.83cm in shoes
He used to claim he was 6ft1.5 so that be in shoes height so he would of been 1.84cm barefoot and between 1.86.7 to 187cm in shoes depending on the sole size hes around 5ft11 1.80cm today barefoot and 1.82cm to 1.83cm in shoes
Rising174cm said on 12/Dec/21
This is much better, although I actually buy 6'1" peak. He generally looked that height in the 80s and, if anything, seemed to edge Richard Crenna in Rambo 2. He certainly wasn't shorter and also looked 6'1" to me with Thomas Ian Griffith in Karate Kid 3. He's lost a lot of height in his 60s and 70s and his posture reflects that above. He even looked noticeably taller in his late 60s with Ralph Macchio than he does today at 75: Click Here He still looked at least 6' there. Now, I could see him no taller than 5'11.5". But a 1.5" loss is hardly impossible at 75.
It doesn't look like he'd be that tall next to a now 5'8.5" max Stallone in sneakers: Click Here Yet in Rambo 2, he had 2" on Stallone in his Rambo boots. This shows about how they looked in the film: Click Here Sly could pass for about 5'11" when wearing boots and lifts. The recent pic unfortunately isn't as good, but it wouldn't surprise me if the difference looked smaller current Kove and Stallone in sneakers than it did between peak Kove and peak Stallone in Rambo boots.
This is much better, although I actually buy 6'1" peak. He generally looked that height in the 80s and, if anything, seemed to edge Richard Crenna in Rambo 2. He certainly wasn't shorter and also looked 6'1" to me with Thomas Ian Griffith in Karate Kid 3. He's lost a lot of height in his 60s and 70s and his posture reflects that above. He even looked noticeably taller in his late 60s with Ralph Macchio than he does today at 75: Click Here He still looked at least 6' there. Now, I could see him no taller than 5'11.5". But a 1.5" loss is hardly impossible at 75.
It doesn't look like he'd be that tall next to a now 5'8.5" max Stallone in sneakers: Click Here Yet in Rambo 2, he had 2" on Stallone in his Rambo boots. This shows about how they looked in the film: Click Here Sly could pass for about 5'11" when wearing boots and lifts. The recent pic unfortunately isn't as good, but it wouldn't surprise me if the difference looked smaller current Kove and Stallone in sneakers than it did between peak Kove and peak Stallone in Rambo boots.
Seal said on 8/Nov/21
Rob do you think we could get a page for Jesse Kove? I think Jesse Kove is just slightly taller than Martin Kove in his peak. I think he's maybe 6ft 1-2 range. What do you think?
Editor Rob
Rob do you think we could get a page for Jesse Kove? I think Jesse Kove is just slightly taller than Martin Kove in his peak. I think he's maybe 6ft 1-2 range. What do you think?
Editor Rob6ft 2 could be ok, although he actually claimed 6ft 3
Stinky 186 cm said on 31/Aug/21
I don’t think he was 6’ 0 1/2” at his peak let alone a legit 6’ 0” I think he was close to 6’ 0” though about 5’ 11 1/2” - 5’ 11 3/4” and about a solid 5’ 11” now
I don’t think he was 6’ 0 1/2” at his peak let alone a legit 6’ 0” I think he was close to 6’ 0” though about 5’ 11 1/2” - 5’ 11 3/4” and about a solid 5’ 11” now
ChaosControl 6'2.50 said on 22/Jul/21
Well he’s shorter than Zabka there, if anything I’d think Zabka was the 181cm guy out of the two and Kove was just 180
Well he’s shorter than Zabka there, if anything I’d think Zabka was the 181cm guy out of the two and Kove was just 180
Seal said on 20/Jul/21
Peak 6'1. Current 5'11.25. I agree he has definitely gotten shorter since the 80s. In Cobra Kai he looked around the same height as Zabka. He might just be over 5'11 cuz he seems like .2 inches taller than Zabka. But in KK1-KK3 he looked 6'1 for sure. Back in KK1, Zabka was about 5'11 and Kove definitely looked 2 inches taller than him
Peak 6'1. Current 5'11.25. I agree he has definitely gotten shorter since the 80s. In Cobra Kai he looked around the same height as Zabka. He might just be over 5'11 cuz he seems like .2 inches taller than Zabka. But in KK1-KK3 he looked 6'1 for sure. Back in KK1, Zabka was about 5'11 and Kove definitely looked 2 inches taller than him
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 19/May/21
Yeah I agree with this...could pass for 6ft1 in the 80's...today looking around 5ft11 but might just edge Billy
Yeah I agree with this...could pass for 6ft1 in the 80's...today looking around 5ft11 but might just edge Billy
Sulu2021 said on 9/May/21
Hey Rob, how come this page now has a peak height and a current height while the peak height got upgraded?
Editor Rob
Hey Rob, how come this page now has a peak height and a current height while the peak height got upgraded?
Editor RobHe did seem taller back in the 80's than he has looked in the last few years.
Peter 180cm said on 14/Feb/21
Looks nowhere near 6'0 with Zabka here.He needs a downgrade to MAYBE 180cm,Rob.
Looks nowhere near 6'0 with Zabka here.He needs a downgrade to MAYBE 180cm,Rob.
Spencer said on 5/Feb/21
Peak 184 cm 6'0.5". 5'11" today.
Peak 184 cm 6'0.5". 5'11" today.
Rising174cm said on 26/Jan/21
I have no trouble believing he was 6'1" in the 80s. He was definitely no shorter than Richard Crenna in Rambo 2 and if anything, was slightly taller by that point. At 74, he's probably shrunk to 5'11.5" although he could still look above that in his late 60s with Ralph Macchio: Click Here
I have no trouble believing he was 6'1" in the 80s. He was definitely no shorter than Richard Crenna in Rambo 2 and if anything, was slightly taller by that point. At 74, he's probably shrunk to 5'11.5" although he could still look above that in his late 60s with Ralph Macchio: Click Here
Tizwaxxx said on 24/Jan/21
Looks 5-10,5 imo here
Looks 5-10,5 imo here
Willy5'10 said on 23/Jan/21
I think Martin back in the first karate kid movie was 6 foot but rob do you think he could be now a days 5,10 range? Because to me on cobra Kai he looked about the same height as Zabka but I think Zabka is a little taller. Would 5’10.5 for Martin now be unrealistic?
I think Martin back in the first karate kid movie was 6 foot but rob do you think he could be now a days 5,10 range? Because to me on cobra Kai he looked about the same height as Zabka but I think Zabka is a little taller. Would 5’10.5 for Martin now be unrealistic?
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 4/Jan/21
His son looks 6ft1-2
His son looks 6ft1-2
Patm said on 2/Jan/21
Peak 6ft now 5ft11
Peak 6ft now 5ft11
Black Noir said on 14/Dec/20
Hey rob, how tall do u think Martin s son is?
Editor Rob
Hey rob, how tall do u think Martin s son is?
Editor Robover 6ft but how much I'm not so sure.
Chris Junior Hernandez 1990 said on 9/Dec/20
Kove 6'0 is peak and now 5'11. Zabka isn't over 5'11.
Kove 6'0 is peak and now 5'11. Zabka isn't over 5'11.
Chris Junior Hernandez 1990 said on 9/Dec/20
6'0 is peak. Now 5'11. Zabka isn't over 5'11.
6'0 is peak. Now 5'11. Zabka isn't over 5'11.
Sean73 said on 22/Oct/20
I'd give him a 6'.0.50" peak and now 5'10.75".
I'd give him a 6'.0.50" peak and now 5'10.75".
Chris Junior Hernandez 1990 said on 13/Sep/20
Kove and 5'11 Zabka look tha same height in and out of screen from Cobra Kai. Kove need a peak and current height.
Editor Rob
Kove and 5'11 Zabka look tha same height in and out of screen from Cobra Kai. Kove need a peak and current height.
Editor RobIn the 80's Kove was being called 6ft 1 and 195 lbs in articles, so that likely is what was on his bio sheet that gets given to press for interviews/articles.
Keith 5'10 said on 12/Sep/20
Actually, he looked almost 6'1 in Karate Kid 3 with Thomas Ian Griffith:
Click Here
Actually, he looked almost 6'1 in Karate Kid 3 with Thomas Ian Griffith:
Click Here
Black Noir said on 7/Sep/20
This guy has a build to kill for have you seen his neck? Muscular as hell; and he’s aging really well!!
This guy has a build to kill for have you seen his neck? Muscular as hell; and he’s aging really well!!
Alex1.1 said on 29/Aug/20
I'd say a strong 6ft man in his prime! Now he is about 5.10 or 5.11ft
I'd say a strong 6ft man in his prime! Now he is about 5.10 or 5.11ft
Keith 5'10 said on 12/Apr/20
He needs a peak height. He looks under 5'11" on Cobra Kai season 2.
He needs a peak height. He looks under 5'11" on Cobra Kai season 2.
Kavi Singh Gill said on 21/Jul/19
In Karate Kid, there was a significant difference between him and William Zabka. Zabka at the time was 18-19 and it's normal for men to grow a little bit after that so my guess is Zabka gained height and Kove lost some over the years which is why they look almost the same height in Cobra Kai.
In Karate Kid, there was a significant difference between him and William Zabka. Zabka at the time was 18-19 and it's normal for men to grow a little bit after that so my guess is Zabka gained height and Kove lost some over the years which is why they look almost the same height in Cobra Kai.
slc said on 3/May/19
There is a medium long (full-body) shot in Cobra Kai Season 2 of the Kove and Zabka in the dojo, barefoot and toe-to-toe. They appear to be the same height.
There is a medium long (full-body) shot in Cobra Kai Season 2 of the Kove and Zabka in the dojo, barefoot and toe-to-toe. They appear to be the same height.
SethDa6.05" said on 27/Apr/19
About the same as William Zabka. Just watch cobra Kai s2
About the same as William Zabka. Just watch cobra Kai s2
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 25/Jan/18
He looked about 6ft1 w/h Stallone in First Blood Part II
He looked about 6ft1 w/h Stallone in First Blood Part II
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 30/Aug/17
He looks barely 5ft10 in that photo!
He looks barely 5ft10 in that photo!
Rising - 174 cm said on 4/Aug/17
Yeah, but this photo with Carl Weathers shocked me: Click Here
Maybe Martin's posture isn't as good, but he looks a good 2 inches shorter than Carl! I honestly still believe he LOOKED a 6'1" guy in the 80s and was 184 cm minimum, but he now does look only 5'11" range with Carl. He seems to go up and down a bit with his posture still looking from a weak 5'11" up to 6' at times. That's more proof Carl is still about 6'1" as well. I think Kove has lost a lot of height. He wouldn't be the first 70 year old to lose 1.5"-2" doing action roles. Sly has lost a good 1 cm yet Martin isn't even looking that tall next to Stallone: Click Here Yet he looked 2" taller in Rambo 2 and Sly's boots made him look 5'10.5"-5'11" in that film. This promo picture is representative of the height difference in the film: Click Here
Remember, Crenna was a healthy, fit 57 year old in Rambo 2 with good posture so there's no reason to think he had lost much, if he lost anything at all. No way Kove looked shorter in that film. If I'm wrong, then both men may have been 184 cm. Actually 1.5" wouldn't even be that unusual for a 70 year old. Look at Danny Glover!
Yeah, but this photo with Carl Weathers shocked me: Click Here
Maybe Martin's posture isn't as good, but he looks a good 2 inches shorter than Carl! I honestly still believe he LOOKED a 6'1" guy in the 80s and was 184 cm minimum, but he now does look only 5'11" range with Carl. He seems to go up and down a bit with his posture still looking from a weak 5'11" up to 6' at times. That's more proof Carl is still about 6'1" as well. I think Kove has lost a lot of height. He wouldn't be the first 70 year old to lose 1.5"-2" doing action roles. Sly has lost a good 1 cm yet Martin isn't even looking that tall next to Stallone: Click Here Yet he looked 2" taller in Rambo 2 and Sly's boots made him look 5'10.5"-5'11" in that film. This promo picture is representative of the height difference in the film: Click Here
Remember, Crenna was a healthy, fit 57 year old in Rambo 2 with good posture so there's no reason to think he had lost much, if he lost anything at all. No way Kove looked shorter in that film. If I'm wrong, then both men may have been 184 cm. Actually 1.5" wouldn't even be that unusual for a 70 year old. Look at Danny Glover!
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 10/Jul/17
He still looks 6ft in that photo if Zabka is 5ft10½
He still looks 6ft in that photo if Zabka is 5ft10½
RisingForce said on 18/Jun/17
He seemed legitimately tall in the 80s. I think he's lost a lot of height. He looked at least as tall as 6'1" Richard Crenna who I don't think had lost much, or anything by age 57 and he was an easy 6'1" next to 6'5" Thomas Ian Griffith, who didn't dwarf him. Actually, he can still look about 6 feet with 5'8.5" Ralph Macchio in this photo from 3 years ago: Click Here I trust Rob's in person sighting more so I'll say he's not as tall as he looks there, but maybe he's a guy who drops height with posture, like many other men in their late 60s/early 70s. I gotta go back and see how he looked with Ronny Cox in Steele Justice, but he really did look 6'1" to me back in the 80s and I'll say 5'11.5" now. 1.5" isn't a particularly unusual for a man his age, especially with weights, stunts etc.
He seemed legitimately tall in the 80s. I think he's lost a lot of height. He looked at least as tall as 6'1" Richard Crenna who I don't think had lost much, or anything by age 57 and he was an easy 6'1" next to 6'5" Thomas Ian Griffith, who didn't dwarf him. Actually, he can still look about 6 feet with 5'8.5" Ralph Macchio in this photo from 3 years ago: Click Here I trust Rob's in person sighting more so I'll say he's not as tall as he looks there, but maybe he's a guy who drops height with posture, like many other men in their late 60s/early 70s. I gotta go back and see how he looked with Ronny Cox in Steele Justice, but he really did look 6'1" to me back in the 80s and I'll say 5'11.5" now. 1.5" isn't a particularly unusual for a man his age, especially with weights, stunts etc.
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 27/Sep/16
184cm peak
182cm today
Rob, does that seem reasonable?
Editor Rob
184cm peak
182cm today
Rob, does that seem reasonable?
Editor Rob about 6ft, now maybe 5ft 11-11.5 zone
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 8/Mar/16
Could he be more 5ft11 range today, Rob?
Editor Rob
Could he be more 5ft11 range today, Rob?
Editor Rob yes he can be that.
kevin said on 16/Aug/15
looked huge in all 3 Karate kids
looked huge in all 3 Karate kids
The shredder said on 21/Mar/15
Rob , this guy looks shorter , more 5'11
Rob , this guy looks shorter , more 5'11
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 20/Jan/14
How that's a shocker. He's listed 6ft0.5/184cm and 6ft1/185cm in most places.
But granted he was 18-19 when that was filmed so maybe he grew a bit afterwards?
How that's a shocker. He's listed 6ft0.5/184cm and 6ft1/185cm in most places.
But granted he was 18-19 when that was filmed so maybe he grew a bit afterwards?
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 18/Jan/14
Rob, do you have any idea how tall William Zabka might be?
He played the bully in the Karate Kid.
Editor Rob
Rob, do you have any idea how tall William Zabka might be?
He played the bully in the Karate Kid.
Editor Rob 5ft 10 range maybe
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 16/Jan/14
Rob, any idea how tall William Zabka is?
Played the bully Johnny Lawrence in KK?
Rob, any idea how tall William Zabka is?
Played the bully Johnny Lawrence in KK?
Brad said on 12/Jan/14
Looked 5' 10" last week at the Hollywood Show.
Looked 5' 10" last week at the Hollywood Show.
Fred said on 3/Dec/13
He was taller then johnny ( william zabka ) in karate kid and zabka is listed 6'
He was taller then johnny ( william zabka ) in karate kid and zabka is listed 6'
Alex said on 28/Sep/13
To be honest, Thonas Ian Griffith didn't have much on him in Karate Kid 3. Weird.
To be honest, Thonas Ian Griffith didn't have much on him in Karate Kid 3. Weird.
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 12/Aug/13
Maybe a peak height, Rob?
Maybe a peak height, Rob?
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 31/Jul/13
"Martin Kove's height is 6ft 1in (185cm)"
Editor Rob
"Martin Kove's height is 6ft 1in (185cm)"
Editor Rob the previous commenter below is right in a sense that today kove did look sub 6ft last year
Dino said on 25/Jul/12
Stood next to me looking at my friend's stand at London Comic Con, and seemed to be the same height as me, 5'10".
Stood next to me looking at my friend's stand at London Comic Con, and seemed to be the same height as me, 5'10".
thekiddd said on 27/May/08
I always thought 6 but maybe 6'0 1/4"
I always thought 6 but maybe 6'0 1/4"
keith said on 19/Dec/07
a good friend and a great actor
a good friend and a great actor
Kid-Icarus said on 9/Oct/07
I did think he was around 6 but the times says he's 6'1". He could be 6'0 1/2" but the times wouldn't say so if he was because they do not name stars by half inches.
I did think he was around 6 but the times says he's 6'1". He could be 6'0 1/2" but the times wouldn't say so if he was because they do not name stars by half inches.
thelasttiger said on 16/Oct/06
He looks more like 6ft to me. He was about 5 inches smaller than Thomas Ian Griffith in Karate Kid 3.
He looks more like 6ft to me. He was about 5 inches smaller than Thomas Ian Griffith in Karate Kid 3.
Heights are barefeet estimates, derived from quotations, official websites, agency resumes, in person encounters with actors at conventions and pictures/films.
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