Sean Kanan
- Emmy winning producer, actor, writer, TEDX speaker, award winning author, philanthropist
Travels From
California
Sean Kanan Speaker Biography
Emmy Award-winning producer, Emmy-nominated actor, and acclaimed author Sean Kanan has carved out an impressive career in the entertainment industry. With decades of experience, he continually reinvents himself, showcasing his versatility across theater, television, film, and literature. From his breakout role in The Karate Kid Part III to acclaimed performances in popular soap operas as AJ Quartermaine in General Hospital and Deacon Sharpe in The Bold and the Beautiful, Kanan has established himself as a dynamic and enduring force in Hollywood. His award-winning role as Sam Stevens in the Emmy-winning streaming series Studio City (Amazon Prime, Roku, Tubi), in which he served as Executive producer and head writer, further highlights his diverse talents.
Kanan gained widespread recognition in 1989 for his portrayal of Mike Barnes, the fierce antagonist in The Karate Kid Part III. His compelling performance solidified his place in Hollywood. Kanan showcased remarkable resilience by performing all his own martial arts stunts, overcoming physical challenges and life-threatening injuries during filming. He later reprised the role of Mike Barnes in seasons 5 and 6 of Netflix's hit series Cobra Kai, receiving critical acclaim and reinforcing his status as an international star.Beyond acting, Kanan is also a prolific writer and producer. He has authored five books, including the award winning Way of the COBRA, a personal development guide combining autobiographical experiences with practical philosophy and strategy on perseverance, discipline, and self-improvement, inspiring readers to "unleash their inner badass." Most recently, he co-authored the third installment in the Way of the COBRA series, titled Way of the COBRA Couples, an insightful manual for fostering vibrant and authentic relationships.
Currently, Kanan is actively involved in several exciting projects. He is in production on The Bodyman, an action film steeped in political intrigue. Once again he wears multiple hats behind the camera as producer and writer with wife, Michele Kanan who is directing him as corrupt Senator Henry Whitaker.. Additionally, he recently completed principal photography on The Persian Rug, a gripping drama that confronts female identity and rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran. In this film, Kanan portrays the male lead, French film director Gerard Duval. He also serves as the showrunner and head writer for an upcoming streaming dramedy centered on high-stakes poker,Un$uited.
Kanan also currently stars in BLOODHOUND, a streaming project dealing with the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum art heist which remains the largest unsolved art mystery in America. As lead FBI investigator, Chris Stone, Kanan traverses the world and between decades in his pursuit to solve the crime while battling his declining mental capacity as a result of early stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Kanan is a passionate speaker and has emerged as a powerful voice for growth and reinvention. His recent TEDx talk, exploring the courage to "unbecome," was selected as the editor's choice by TED.com, highlighting his ability to resonate with audiences across various mediums.
Committed to "paying it forward," Sean Kanan actively supports various charitable causes, including anti-bullying initiatives, veterans' and law enforcement support, and animal protection. His philanthropic efforts reflect his dedication to making a positive impact locally on his community and internationally throughout the world.
The Journey of Unbecoming
This thought-provoking speech serves as the content for Sean’s TEDx Talk, where he discusses the external pressures to succeed and conform, beginning with the societal and parental expectations placed on us since childhood, urging us to become a success, become a winner, and become someone. Sean questions whether this roadmap is flawed and if true success and meaningful happiness lie not in "becoming" someone else but in "unbecoming"—rediscovering, healing, and reconnecting with our authentic selves. He highlights that we are all in sales, with the ultimate product being our authenticity. The external artifice and layers of societal influence often conceal our true selves, but by stripping away these layers, we can achieve meaningful happiness and clear the path to true success.
Sean recounts a pivotal life experience at age 22, where he faced a life-or-death situation in a hospital after a stunt injury while filming The Karate Kid III, ultimately choosing to fight for his life and career. Despite achieving outward success by his 50th birthday, he felt unfulfilled, struggling with addiction and feelings of “imposter syndrome.”
His transformation journey began when a heartfelt plea from his spouse prompted him to confront and undo the person he had become. Sean outlines four steps for personal transformation:
Identify and confront the inner critic by reframing perceived failures as lessons.
Rewrite his life story by taking responsibility for his choices and defining personal success on his own terms.
Act intentionally, aligning his actions with authentic desires and nurturing his inner child.
Surrender control of outcomes, focusing on the process rather than results, and cultivating a strong framework for achieving goals.
Ultimately, the speech emphasizes that meaningful happiness arises from embracing one's true self and that personal transformation can lead to a broader impact on the world.
Unleash
Kanan’s unique background enhances his message; he is best known for portraying the iconic bully Mike Barnes in The Karate Kid III and later in Netflix’s Cobra Kai. This ironic twist of having portrayed a bully allows him to connect meaningfully with parents and children. His seminars are transformative, prompting conversations that resonate deeply with everyone involved. Through a blend of personal anecdotes and practical strategies, Sean inspires families to confront bullying collaboratively and create a safer, more supportive environment for all children.
