William Zabka is an American actor, screenwriter, and producer who got his acting career to a roaring start with the famous movie, The Karate Kid, in which he was cast as the main antagonist. That role helped him bag some more prominent class bully roles. But, he eventually stepped away from such roles and started focusing on independent movies to sate his creative urges.
Sun Sign
Libra
Nationality
Education
William Zabka attended the El Camino Real Charter High School in Los Angeles, California, United States.
Manager
William Zabka is represented by Los Angeles-based Advanced Management.
Girlfriend / Spouse
William Zabka has dated –
- Stacie Lynn Doss (2008-Present) – In 2008, William Zabka got married to Stacie Lynn Doss. They had been dating for quite some time.
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Distinctive Features
Prominent nose
Brand Endorsements
William Zabka has appeared in the TV commercials for the following brands –
- Buffalo Wild Wings (2015)
- Pepsi
- Kool-Aid
- Tilex
Best Known For
- Having played the role of Johnny Lawrence in the martial arts drama movie, The Karate Kid
- Having appeared in numerous popular TV shows such as How I Met Your Mother (2013-2014), Robot Chicken (2013), Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street (2015), and Psych (2014)
- Being cast in important roles in popular 80s movies such as Just One of the Guys (1985), National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985), Back to School (1986), and A Tiger’s Tale (1987)
First Film
In 1984, he made his theatrical film debut as Johnny Lawrence in the drama movie, The Karate Kid. It proved to be a career-defining movie of his career.
First TV Show
In 1983, William Zabka made his first TV show appearance in the Space Ranger episode of the comedy-drama TV series, The Greatest American Hero.
Personal Trainer
To prepare for his role in comedy-drama show, Cobra Kai, in which he essayed his popular character from The Karate Kid, he undertook special training regime. He was trained by Chad Landers, who has worked with leading Hollywood actors. Zabka worked out 3 to 4 times a week.
As they had limited time, Landers decided to get Zabka through full body workout sessions. He included a pull exercise and leg exercise along with some work in each session. Landers alternated with interval cardio work. For example, after completing 5 sets of strength training exercise, he got Zabka to sprint on the treadmill and repeat it again and again. They often finished the workout with isolation exercises.
When it came to nutrition, Zabka wasn’t asked to follow any specific diet. He was asked to eat as much as lean and vegetables as he could. He was also told to avoid liquid calories as you can easily overconsume in such cases.
William Zabka Facts
- He is an accomplished musician and can flawlessly play piano and guitar.
- When he bagged his iconic role in The Karate Kid, he didn’t have any prior training in martial arts. He had to undertake special training to prepare for his role. He was an accomplished wrestler when he went in for the auditions and it helped him in securing the role of the main antagonist in the iconic movie.
- Over the year, he has taken formal training in Tang Soo Do, a Korean martial arts form, and has managed to earn a 2nd-degree green belt in it.
- After he became too infamous for playing class bully roles, he decided to refrain from such roles. In fact, he was harassed by random people in public because of the negative roles that he had played.
- In 2003, he decided to turn writer and producer for the short film, Most. The movie was premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and went on to win multiple awards at prestigious film festivals.
- Follow him on and .
Featured Image by Super Festivals / / CC BY-2.0
Facts of William Michael Zabka
- Gender Male
- full nameWilliam Michael Zabka
- nicknamesBilly
- birthplaceNew York City, New York, United States
- Date of Birth October 20, 1965
- Age 59 years 0 months
- Horoscope Libra
- Lucky Number 6
- Lucky Stone Peridot
- Lucky Color Blue
- Best Match for Marriage Gemini
- ethnicity / ethnic backgroundCzech
- nationalityAmerican
- net worth$6 million
- professionActor, Producer, Screenwriter, Martial Artist, Poet
- weight74 kg or 163 lbs
- height5 ft 10½ in or 179 cm
- hair colorBlonde
- eye colorBlue
- body type / buildAthletic
- high schoolEl Camino Real Charter High School
- motherNancy Zabka
- fatherStanley William Zabka
- brothersGuy Zabka
- sistersJudy Zabka