William Zabka is an American actor, screenwriter and producer who began his acting career with the famous film. The Karate Kid , in which he was cast as the main antagonist. This role helped him land some more prominent class bullying roles. But eventually he resigned from such roles and focused on independent films to sate his creative urges.

Born name

William Michael Zabka

nickname

Billy

Sun sign

Scale

Place of birth

New York City, New York, United States

nationality

training

William Zabka attended El Camino Real Charter High School in Los Angeles, California, USA.

occupation

Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Martial Artist, Poet

family

• Father – Stanley William Zabka (director, writer and composer)
• Mother – Nancy Zabka (business connection, producer and production assistant)
• Siblings – Judy Zabka (sister) (singer, songwriter, composer), Guy Zabka (brother) (singer, songwriter, composer)
• Other – Frank Zabka (Paternal Grandfather), Marie Geraldine Buresh (Paternal Grandmother)

Manager

William Zabka is represented by Advanced Management of Los Angeles.

To build

Athletic

Height

179 cm (5 ft 10½ in)

weight

74 kg

girlfriend/spouse

William Zabka has dated –

1. Stacie Lynn Doss (2008-present) – In 2008, William Zabka married Stacie Lynn Doss. They had been together for quite some time.

race/ethnicity

White

He has Czech ancestry on his father’s side.

hair colour

Blond

eye color

Blau

sexual orientation

Just

distinguishing features

prominent nose

brand promotion

William Zabka has appeared in the television commercials for the following brands –

• Buffalo Wild Wings (2015)
• Pepsi
• Kool-Aid
• Tilex

Known for

• After playing the role of Johnny Lawrence in the martial arts drama film, The Karate Kid
• Featured in numerous popular TV shows such as How I Met Your Mother (2013-2014), Robot Chicken (2013), Gortimer Gibbons Life on the Normal Road (2015) and Psych (2014)
• In popular 80’s movies like Just One of the Guys (1985), National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985), Back to School (1986) and A Tiger Tale (1987)

first movie

In 1984, he made his big screen debut as Johnny Lawrence in the drama film, The Karate Kid . It proved to be the most career-defining film of his career.

First TV show

In 1983, William Zabka made his television debut in the Space Ranger episode of the comedy-drama TV series, America’s Greatest Hero .

Personal trainer

To prepare for his role on the comedy-drama show, Cobra Kai , in which he portrayed his popular character from The Karate Kid, he undertook special training regimes. He was trained by Chad Landers who has worked with leading Hollywood actors. Zabka trained 3-4 times a week.

With only a limited amount of time, Landers chose to give Zabka through full-body workouts. He included a pull exercise and a leg exercise along with some heart work in each session. Landers alternated strength training with interval cardio work. For example, after completing 5 sets of strength training, he made Zabka sprint on the treadmill and repeat it over and over again. They often ended the workout with isolation exercises.

When it came to nutrition, Zabka was not asked tofollow any specific diet. He was asked to eat as much lean protein and vegetables as possible. He was also told to avoid liquid calories as it is easy to overconsume in such cases.

William Zabka Facts

1. He is an accomplished musician and can play the piano and guitar flawlessly.
2. When he landed his iconic role on The Karate Kid he had no prior training in the martial arts. He had to undergo special training to prepare for his role. He was an accomplished wrestler when he got to the auditions and it helped him secure the role of the main antagonist in the iconic film.
3. During the year, he completed formal training in Tang Soo Do, a Korean martial art form, earning a 2nd degree green belt.
4. After becoming too notorious for playing class bullying roles, he decided to refrain from such roles. In fact, he was harassed by random people in public for the negative roles he had played.
5. In 2003 he decided to become a writer and producer for the short film, Most . The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and won several awards at prestigious film festivals.
6. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter.