Zabka's career took off with The Karate Kid, despite having no prior karate training. During the 1980s, he appeared in the films Just One of the Guys (1985), Back to School (1986), and the television series The Equalizer (1986–1989). In the 1990s and 2000s, Zabka focused on independent films and filmmaking. In 2004, he was nominated for an Academy Award for co-writing and producing the short film Most.[5] Zabka continued directing, including music videos for Rascal Flatts. In 2018, he reprised his role as Johnny Lawrence in the YouTube Red and Netflix series Cobra Kai, which he co-executive produces with Ralph Macchio. The series, set 33 years after the original film, explores the re-opening of the Cobra Kai dojo and the rekindling of the rivalry between Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso.
Early life
Zabka was born in New York City, the son of Nancy, a business liaison, producer, and production assistant, and Stan Zabka, a director, writer, and composer.[6] Zabka has a brother and a sister. Stan is of Czech descent and was born in Des Moines, Iowa.[7] He worked as production manager on many motion pictures, including the Chuck Norris film Forced Vengeance (1982).[8]
Zabka's breakout acting role came in his first movie, The Karate Kid (1984). Zabka played Johnny Lawrence, the main antagonist to the title character and protagonist played by Ralph Macchio. At the time, Zabka had no training in karate, but was an accomplished wrestler.[10] Participating in the film inspired Zabka to learn the martial art of Tang Soo Do and he later earned a second–degree green belt.[4]
Later in the 1980s, Zabka appeared in the comedy movies Just One of the Guys (1985) and Back to School (1986). He co-starred on the CBS television series The Equalizer as the son of the title character (1986–89). Zabka also played Jack, Audrey's jock boyfriend, in National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985). Zabka later tried to step away from playing the class bully character. In an interview, Zabka mentioned that he was sometimes hassled in public by random people due to the villainous characters he was best known for.[11][12]
During the 1990s and 2000s, Zabka acted mostly in independent films while studying to be a filmmaker. In 2003, he wrote and produced the short film Most (aka The Bridge) shot on location in the Czech Republic and Poland. Most had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 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, Zabka was nominated for an Academy Award for Most in the Live Action Short Film category.[11][12][13]
Zabka in 2016
In 2007, Zabka directed and starred in a music video for the band No More Kings' song, "Sweep the Leg." The video stars Zabka as a caricature of himself, living in a trailer in the desert and obsessed with his role in The Karate Kid. The video includes cameos by several of the original Karate Kid cast members, including Martin Kove and Ralph Macchio.[14][15][16]
In 2010, Zabka directed Rascal Flatts in their music video for the song "Why Wait" and also directed the video for their 2017 hit "Yours If You Want It." That same year, Zabka made a cameo appearance in the comedy movie Hot Tub Time Machine.
On August 4, 2017, it was announced that Zabka would reprise his role as Johnny Lawrence in a 10-episode Karate Kidrevival series for YouTube Red titled Cobra Kai that debuted in 2018.[18] Zabka also co-executive produces the series with Ralph Macchio. The series begins 33 years after the events of the first film, and revolves around a down and out Johnny who, seeking to rebuild his life, reopens the Cobra Kai dojo. It reignites his rivalry with a now successful Daniel LaRusso (Macchio), who has been struggling to maintain balance in his life without the guidance of his now deceased mentor, Mr. Miyagi.[19][20]
Personal life
Zabka married his wife, Stacie, in 2008 and they have two children.[21]
^Hubbard, Linda S.; Steen, Sara J. (1989). "Zabka, William". In Hubbard, Linda S.; O'Donnell, Owen (eds.). Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television. Cengage Gale. p. 467. ISBN9780810320703. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2020. Born October 20 in New York, NY; son of Stan Zabka (assistant director); mother, a production assistant
