William Zabka

Actor
Producer
Director

William Zabka is perhaps best known for playing Johnny Lawrence in 'The Karate Kid,' as well as a host of other bully characters in the '80s and '90s. "No Small Parts" takes a look at his acting career.

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William Zabka of "Cobra Kai": "No Small Parts" IMDb Exclusive

William Zabka was born in New York City, New York, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for The Karate Kid (1984), Hot Tub Time Machine (2010) and Back to School (1986). He has been married to Stacie Lynn Doss since 2008. They have two children.

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Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 9 nominations total

Photos162

+ 156

Known for

The Karate Kid

7.3

Johnny Lawrence

1984

Hot Tub Time Machine

6.4

Rick

2010

Back to School

6.7

Chas

1986

The Karate Kid Part II

6.1

Johnny

1986

Credits

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IMDbPro

Actor

Cobra Kai
8.4
TV Series
- Johnny Lawrence
- 2018–2025
The Cobra Kai Movie
7.9
Short
- William Zabka
- 2024
Cobra Kai 2: Dojos Rising
6.1
Video Game
- Johnny Lawrence (voice)
- 2022
Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues
7.6
Video Game
- Johnny Lawrence (voice)
- 2020
The Man in the Silo
4.8
- Kevin
- 2016
To Appomattox
4.4
TV Mini Series
- John Rawlins
- 2015
Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street
8.2
TV Series
- Sensei Jeff
- 2015
The Dog Who Saved Summer
4.5
- Officer Johnny
- Apollo (voice)
- 2015
Where Hope Grows
6.6
- Milton (as Billy Zabka)
- 2014
How I Met Your Mother
8.3
TV Series
- Billy Zabka
- Clown
- William Zabka
- 2013–2014
Psych
8.4
TV Series
- Coach Baggs
- 2014
Robot Chicken
7.7
TV Series
- Johnny Lawrence
- Gibby
- Werewolf (voice)
- 2013
Cross
3.0
Video
- Griff
- 2011
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
6.3
TV Series
- Johnny Lawrence
- 2011
Mean Parents Suck
4.5
- Detective Ted Clement (as Billy Zabka)
- 2010

Producer

Director

Videos52

Clip 0:57

Get the Phone

Interview 2:40

The "Cobra Kai" Cast Shares "Miyagi-esque" Words of Wisdom

Interview 2:40

The "Cobra Kai" Cast Shares "Miyagi-esque" Words of Wisdom

Interview 3:22

"Cobra Kai" Serves Up "Bad Senseis" and Love Triangles

Interview 1:18

BUILD: Ralph Macchio And William Zabka Revisit The Karate Kid After 34 Years

Trailer 2:26

Final Trailer - Season 6 Part 3

Trailer 1:57

Official Trailer - Season 6 Part 2

Personal details

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Official site
- Instagram
Alternative name
- Billy Zabka
Height
- 6′ 0½″ (1.84 m)
Born
- October 20
- New York City, New York, USA
Spouse
- Stacie Lynn Doss2008 - present (2 children)
Parents
Relatives
Other works
Directed and acted in the music video of the song "Sweep the Leg" by the band No More Kings, which is sung from the point of view William Zabka's character of Johnny in The Karate Kid (1984). The music video was filmed August 24 - 25, 2006.
Publicity listings
- 1 Interview
- 2 Articles

Did you know

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Trivia
He was not at all experienced in martial arts prior to the filming of The Karate Kid (1984). He was actually an accomplished wrestler. However, in the years since, he has earned a second degree green belt in Tang Soo Do.

Quotes
My training in martial arts was kind of a crash course in how to look like a black belt. I know the moves of a black belt - my kicks, and my stretches, and my punches and all that.