William Zabka

William Zabka is an actor known for his role as Johnny Lawrence in The Karate Kid (1984) and for his wrestling background.

Movie Actor

October 21, 1965

Libra

59

New York City, New York, United States

William Zabka rose to fame for his portrayal of antagonist Johnny Lawrence in the 1984 film “The Karate Kid” and its sequel. Since then, he has enjoyed a diverse career, appearing in films such as “Back to School” and “Hot Tub Time Machine,” as well as TV shows like “How I Met Your Mother” and “Cobra Kai.” Zabka has also been recognized for his work as a director and producer, earning an Academy Award nomination for the short film “Most.” Additionally, he is a talented surfer who has participated in professional surfing competitions. Interestingly, Zabka had no prior karate training when he took on the role of Johnny Lawrence in “The Karate Kid” (1984), but he was already an accomplished wrestler.