William Zabka Photo

William Zabka

Acting

4.2 Popularity Oct 20, 1965 (59 years old) New York City, New York, USA

William Michael "Billy" Zabka 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-), alo...

Biography

William Michael "Billy" Zabka 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 58

2025
Karate Kid: Legends Movie

as Johnny Lawrence

2024
2021
2020
Jud's Decision Movie

Craft Service

2020
Reunited Apart TV

as Self

2018
Cobra Kai TV

as Johnny Lawrence

2018
Cobra Kai TV

Co-Executive Producer

2018
Cobra Kai TV

Director

2016
The Man in the Silo Movie

as Kevin

2015
The Dog Who Saved Summer Movie

as Officer Johnny/Apollo

2014
Where Hope Grows Movie

as Milton Malcolm

2011
Cross Movie

as Saw

2010
2007
Smiley Face Movie

as Prison Guard

2007
2007
Sweep the Leg Movie

as Johnny Lawrence/Hilmself

2007
Sweep the Leg Movie

Director

Photos 4

William Zabka Photo
William Zabka Photo
William Zabka Photo
William Zabka Photo

Personal Details

Known For Acting
Gender Male
Birthday October 20, 1965 (59 years old)
Place of Birth New York City, New York, USA
Also Known As Billy Zabka, William Michael Zabka
Years Active 1984 - 2025
Popularity 4.2
Career Stats
58 Total Credits
41 Movie Roles
9 TV Roles
4 Photos