William Zabka
b. 1965 · 15 titles in the catalogue
William Michael "Billy" Zabka (born October 20, 1965) is an American actor, martial artist, screenwriter, and film producer. Zabka is best known for his role of Johnny Lawrence in The Karate Kid (1984), The Karate Kid Part II (1986), and decades later reprises the role of Johnny in the Netflix series Cobra Kai (2018-), along with Ralph Macchio as Daniel.
During the 1980s, Zabka appeared in the comedy movies Just One of the Guys (1985) and Back to School (1986). Zabka also co-starred on the CBS television series The Equalizer as the son of the title character (1986–89). He also played Jack, Audrey's jock boyfriend, in National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985).
During the 1990s and 2000s, he acted mostly in independent films while studying to be a filmmaker. In 2003, he wrote and produced the short film Most, shot on location in the Czech Republic and Poland. Most (aka The Bridge) had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival 2003 and won numerous awards at prestigious film festivals, including Best of Festival at the Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films in 2003. In 2004, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Most in the Live Action Short Film category.
Their work
15
Cobra Kai2018as Johnny Lawrence · Co-Executive Producer · Director
How I Met Your Mother2005as William Zabka
The Karate Kid1984as Johnny
Hot Tub Time Machine2010as Rick
The Karate Kid Part II1986as Johnny Lawrence (uncredited)
Karate Kid: Legends2025as Johnny Lawrence
National Lampoon's European Vacation1985as Jack
Psych2006as Coach Baggs
Back to School1986as Chas
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon2014as Self
Just One of the Guys1985as Greg
Smiley Face2007as Prison Guard
Where Hope Grows2014as Milton Malcolm
Python2000as Greg Larsen
John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs2017as Self
