The Comeback Blueprint: Interview with Sean Kanan on Reinvention,Grit and Growth
Sean Kanan is a dynamic speaker and agent of positive change, with his TEDx Talk recently selected as TED's Editor's Choice. As an actor, writer, author, comedian, and Emmy® award-winning producer, Kanan first gained fame as the bad-boy “Mike Barnes” in Karate Kid III. In 2022, he reprised this iconic role in the hit series Cobra Kai, which became the top show on Netflix, enjoying widespread acclaim. Kanan is also known for his portrayal of ‘Deacon Sharpe’ on CBS’s The Bold and the Beautiful, the most-watched daytime drama in the world, seen in dozens of countries. Notably, 2025 marks the 25th anniversary since Kanan first appeared in this role, making him the only actor to have ever portrayed the character.
In 2021, Kanan won a Daytime Emmy® as Executive Producer and Creator of Studio City (Amazon Prime), where he was also nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor and Outstanding Writing Team. He has authored five books, including the best-selling Success Factor X and the award winning Way of the COBRA series His latest book, Way of the COBRA Couples, focuses on relationships and communication, co-written with his wife, Michele Kanan.
Kanan actively engages in numerous charitable efforts, advocating for causes such as bullying awareness and animal advocacy, and serving as the international youth ambassador for Boo2Bullying.
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