William Zabka
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- October 20, 1965
- Birthplace
- New York City, New York, USA
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.
Filmography
Karate Kid: Legends 2025
as Johnny Lawrence
The Cobra Kai Movie 2024
as William Zabka
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson 2024
as Self
- Beyond the Bonsai
Beyond the Bonsai 2022
Actor
More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story 2021
as Self
Jud's Decision 2020
Craft Service
John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs 2017
as Self
The Man in the Silo 2016
as Kevin
The Dog Who Saved Summer 2015
as Officer Johnny/Apollo
I Hate Christian Laettner 2015
as Johnny Lawrence (archive footage)
Where Hope Grows 2014
as Milton Malcolm
Cross 2011
as Saw
Hot Tub Time Machine 2010
as Rick
Smiley Face 2007
as Prison Guard
Cake: A Wedding Story 2007
as Sam
- The Way of The Karate Kid
The Way of The Karate Kid 2005
as Self / Johnny
Wild Roomies 2004
as Slick Salesman
- Most
Most 2003
Writer, Producer
Antibody 2002
as Otto Emmerick
Dark Descent 2002
as Marty
Python 2 2002
as Greg Larson
Ablaze 2002
as Curt Peters
Landspeed 2002
as Bob Bailey
Hyper Sonic 2002
as The Executive
Gale Force 2002
as Rance
Epoch 2001
as Rover Driver Joe
Falcon Down 2001
as John - Security Guard
Project: Human Weapon 2001
as Rojack
Python 2000
as Greg Larsen
Interceptors 1999
as Dave
High Voltage 1997
as Bulldog
To the Ends of Time 1996
as Alexander
Shootfighter II 1996
as Ruben
The Power Within 1995
as Raymond Vonn
Unlawful Passage 1994
as Howie
Shootfighter: Fight to the Death 1993
as Ruben
Protect and Surf 1989
as Russell Cooper
A Tiger's Tale 1988
as Randy
Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story 1986
as Kim Fisher
The Karate Kid Part II 1986
as Johnny Lawrence (uncredited)
Back to School 1986
as Chas
National Lampoon's European Vacation 1985
as Jack
Just One of the Guys 1985
as Greg
- Contract for Life: The S.A.D.D. Story
Contract for Life: The S.A.D.D. Story 1984
as Rick Peterson
The Karate Kid 1984
as Johnny
Credits from TMDB.