Acting · New York City, New York, USA · Born October 20, 1965
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.
MovieKarate Kid: Legends
2025
as Johnny Lawrence
MovieThe Cobra Kai Movie
2024
as William Zabka
MovieJake Paul vs. Mike Tyson
2024
as Self
TVCobra Kai: Inside the Dojo
2024
as Self
Beyond the Bonsai
2022
MovieMore Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story
2021
as Self
TVThe Netflix Afterparty
2021
as Self
TVReunited Apart
2020
as Self
TVCobra Kai
2018
as Johnny Lawrence
MovieJohn G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs
2017
as Self
MovieThe Man in the Silo
2016
as Kevin
MovieThe Dog Who Saved Summer
2015
as Officer Johnny/Apollo
MovieI Hate Christian Laettner
2015
as Johnny Lawrence (archive footage)
MovieWhere Hope Grows
2014
as Milton Malcolm
TVThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
2014
as Self
MovieCross
2011
as Saw
MovieHot Tub Time Machine
2010
as Rick
MovieSmiley Face
2007
as Prison Guard
MovieCake: A Wedding Story
2007
as Sam
MovieSweep the Leg
2007
as Johnny Lawrence/Hilmself
TVPsych
2006
as Coach Baggs
TVHow I Met Your Mother
2005
as William Zabka
The Way of The Karate Kid
2005
as Self / Johnny
MovieWild Roomies
2004
as Slick Salesman
MovieAntibody
2002
as Otto Emmerick
MovieDark Descent
2002
as Marty
MoviePython 2
2002
as Greg Larson
MovieAblaze
2002
as Curt Peters
MovieLandspeed
2002
as Bob Bailey
MovieHyper Sonic
2002
as The Executive
MovieGale Force
2002
as Rance
MovieEpoch
2001
as Rover Driver Joe
MovieFalcon Down
2001
as John - Security Guard
MovieProject: Human Weapon
2001
as Rojack
MoviePython
2000
as Greg Larsen
MovieInterceptors
1999
as Dave
MovieHigh Voltage
1997
as Bulldog
MovieTo the Ends of Time
1996
as Alexander
MovieShootfighter II
1996
as Ruben
MovieThe Power Within
1995
as Raymond Vonn
MovieUnlawful Passage
1994
as Howie
MovieShootfighter: Fight to the Death
1993
as Ruben
TVMTV Movie & TV Awards
1992
as Self - Presenter
MovieProtect and Surf
1989
as Russell Cooper
MovieA Tiger's Tale
1988
as Randy
MovieDreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story
1986
as Kim Fisher
MovieThe Karate Kid Part II
1986
as Johnny Lawrence (uncredited)
MovieBack to School
1986
as Chas
TVThe Equalizer
1985
as Scott McCall
MovieNational Lampoon's European Vacation
1985
as Jack
MovieJust One of the Guys
1985
as Greg
Contract for Life: The S.A.D.D. Story
1984
as Rick Peterson
TVE/R
1984
MovieThe Karate Kid
1984
as Johnny
