In a revealing interview, Hollywood actor Sean Kanan, known for his roles in The Bold and the Beautiful, Karate Kid 3, and the Netflix hit series Cobra Kai, shared how podcast host Joe Rogan influenced his martial arts journey.
“Martial arts have always played a part in my life, as a way to relieve stress, build confidence and stay in shape. As I gained more skill, I was able to take my training and adapt it to film roles. Joe was a huge inspiration for me because he was doing it before it was popular,” Kanan explained.
The Emmy Award-winning actor drew parallels between his path and Rogan’s early experiences. Kanan mentioned how Rogan’s story of beginning martial arts training at age 14 to counter bullying resonated with him and shaped his approach to navigating the entertainment industry.
“Without a doubt, Joe used the discipline, toughness, and skills he learned as a young martial artist chasing his dreams to climb the ladder. It was exciting seeing MMA start to take shape and for Joe to apply everything he learned to put himself right in the middle of it, then to create his own success,” Kanan shared.
Reflecting on his role as Mike Barnes in Karate Kid 3, Kanan noted an interesting contrast: “As I stepped into the role of Karate’s Bad Boy, Mike Barnes, I actually played someone that was the opposite of Joe Rogan. Imagine a young talented guy that had no integrity, morals, or guidance. Throw in a malevolent sensei that led him down the wrong path and you have lightning in a bottle.”
Currently, Kanan maintains a busy schedule filming The Bold and the Beautiful while conducting acting workshops in Southern California. Fans can look forward to his fifth book, scheduled for release this summer.
