William Zabka

Biography

William Zabka is an American actor who became known for playing Johnny Lawrence, the antagonist in The Karate Kid (1984). Born in New York City and raised on Long Island before moving to California, he began auditioning for The Karate Kid while at Cal State Northridge and dropped out when he landed the role, despite having no karate training. In the 1980s he appeared in Just One of the Guys (1985), Back to School (1986), and National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985), and co-starred on The Equalizer. During the 1990s and 2000s he worked mostly in independent films and behind the scenes. His short film Most, which he wrote and produced, won festival awards and brought him an Academy Award nomination in 2004. He directed music videos for Rascal Flatts and made a cameo in Hot Tub Time Machine (2010). From 2018 to 2025 he reprised Johnny Lawrence in Cobra Kai, which he co-executive produced.

60years old

Turns 61 on October 20in 6 days

Born October 20, 1965New York City
Star sign: LibraThe sign runs September 23 to October 22
Also credited as William Michael Zabka and Billy Zabka

Movie Career

Films: 18
Career span: 37 years1984 to 2021

Genres

Action50%, 9 films
Comedy33%, 6 films
Sci-Fi28%, 5 films
Thriller22%, 4 films
Drama17%, 3 films

First and latest

Photos

Did you know?!

Behind the camera
Zabka wrote and produced the short film Most, also called The Bridge, which was shot in the Czech Republic and Poland. In 2004, he received an Academy Award nomination for Most in the Live Action Short Film category.
Getting ready for a role
Zabka had no karate training when he won the role of Johnny Lawrence in The Karate Kid, but he was an accomplished wrestler; the part inspired him to learn Tang Soo Do and he earned his second green belt.
Big break
Zabka dropped out of Cal State Northridge halfway through his first semester when he landed his breakout role as Johnny Lawrence in The Karate Kid.
Behind the camera
In 2007, Zabka took on directing and acting duties for a No More Kings music video titled "Sweep the Leg." He played an exaggerated version of himself, fixated on The Karate Kid, and the video featured appearances by Martin Kove and Ralph Macchio.

William Zabka movies on Netflix

More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story2021IMDb rating 7.4as Himself
Where Hope Grows2014IMDb rating 6.7as Milton
Cross2011IMDb rating 3.0as Griff
Hot Tub Time Machine2010IMDb rating 6.4as Rick
Smiley Face2007IMDb rating 5.9as Prison Guard
Antibody2002IMDb rating 3.4as Emmerich
Hyper Sonic2002IMDb rating 2.7as The Executive
Python 22002IMDb rating 2.8as Greg Larson(Billy Zabka)
Ablaze2001IMDb rating 3.4as Curt Peters
Epoch2001IMDb rating 4.9as Rover Driver Joe
Python2000IMDb rating 3.7as Greg Larsen
High Voltage1997IMDb rating 4.6as Bulldog
Shootfighter II1996IMDb rating 4.9as Ruben
Shootfighter: Fight to the Death1993IMDb rating 5.5as Ruben
Back to School1986IMDb rating 6.7as Chas
Just One of the Guys1985IMDb rating 6.5as Greg Tolan
National Lampoon's European Vacation1985IMDb rating 6.2as Jack
The Karate Kid1984IMDb rating 7.4as Johnny

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

Top

The Karate Kid1984 Action, Drama, Familyas Johnny
IMDb rating 7.4275K votes
Hot Tub Time Machine2010 Comedy, Sci-Fias Rick
IMDb rating 6.4200K votes
Back to School1986as Chas
IMDb rating 6.740K votes
Just One of the Guys1985as Greg Tolan
IMDb rating 6.521K votes
Python2000as Greg Larsen
IMDb rating 3.74.3K votes
Where Hope Grows2014as Milton
IMDb rating 6.75.6K votes
Python 22002as Greg Larson(Billy Zabka)
IMDb rating 2.81.5K votes
Smiley Face2007as Prison Guard
IMDb rating 5.921K votes

Most often with

Two actors appear in three of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

Top

Martin KoveTyrone Pinkham

Danny Trejo

James Hong

Chevy Chase

Velizar Binev

Films together

Martin Kove3 films together, 1984 to 2021
Martin Kove's page
- More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story2021IMDb rating 7.4Zabka as HimselfKove as Himself
- Shootfighter: Fight to the Death1993IMDb rating 5.5Zabka as RubenKove as Mr. Lee
- The Karate Kid1984IMDb rating 7.4Zabka as JohnnyKove as Kreese
Tyrone Pinkham3 films together, 2002
Tyrone Pinkham's page
- Antibody2002IMDb rating 3.4Zabka as EmmerichPinkham as Conroy
- Hyper Sonic2002IMDb rating 2.7Zabka as The ExecutivePinkham as Race Director 2
- Python 22002IMDb rating 2.8Zabka as Greg Larson(Billy Zabka)Pinkham as Pilot(Tyron Pinkham)
Danny Trejo2 films together, 2007 to 2011
Danny Trejo's page
- Cross2011IMDb rating 3.0Zabka as GriffTrejo as Ripper
- Smiley Face2007IMDb rating 5.9Zabka as Prison GuardTrejo as Albert
James Hong2 films together, 2001 to 2021
James Hong's page
- More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story2021IMDb rating 7.4Zabka as HimselfHong as Himself
- Epoch2001IMDb rating 4.9Zabka as Rover Driver JoeHong as Ambassador Po
Chevy Chase2 films together, 1985 to 2010
Chevy Chase's page
- Hot Tub Time Machine2010IMDb rating 6.4Zabka as RickChase as Repairman
- National Lampoon's European Vacation1985IMDb rating 6.2Zabka as JackChase as Clark Griswold
Velizar Binev2 films together, 2002
Velizar Binev's page
- Antibody2002IMDb rating 3.4Zabka as EmmerichBinev as Dr. Bickell
- Python 22002IMDb rating 2.8Zabka as Greg Larson(Billy Zabka)Binev as Aziz
Also two films together15 more actors
- Pat MoritaMore Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story (2021) and The Karate Kid (1984)
- George CheungHigh Voltage (1997) and Shootfighter: Fight to the Death (1993)
- Ralph MacchioMore Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story (2021) and The Karate Kid (1984)
- Bolo YeungShootfighter II (1996) and Shootfighter: Fight to the Death (1993)
- Antonio Sabato Jr.Hyper Sonic (2002) and High Voltage (1997)
- Edward AlbertAblaze (2001) and Shootfighter: Fight to the Death (1993)
- Michael CavanaughAblaze (2001) and Epoch (2001)
- Julian VergovAntibody (2002) and Hyper Sonic (2002)
- Kathleen RandazzoAntibody (2002) and Python (2000)
- Shannon LeeEpoch (2001) and High Voltage (1997)
- Michael BernardoShootfighter II (1996) and Shootfighter: Fight to the Death (1993)
- Alex JoligHyper Sonic (2002) and Python 2 (2002)
- Ron ThomasMore Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story (2021) and The Karate Kid (1984)
- Joe SonShootfighter II (1996) and Shootfighter: Fight to the Death (1993)
- Robert SandsHyper Sonic (2002) and Python 2 (2002)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.