William "Billy" Zabka (born October 20, 1965) is an American actor, screenwriter, and film producer. Zabka is best known for playing bully types in several popular '80s films, such as his role as Johnny Lawrence in 1984's The Karate Kid.
Zabka was born in New York City, New York, the son of Nancy, a business liaison, producer, and production assistant, and Stan Zabka, a composer, writer, and director. Zabka's breakout role came in his first movie...
more
William "Billy" Zabka (born October 20, 1965) is an American actor, screenwriter, and film producer. Zabka is best known for playing bully types in several popular '80s films, such as his role as Johnny Lawrence in 1984's The Karate Kid.
Zabka was born in New York City, New York, the son of Nancy, a business liaison, producer, and production assistant, and Stan Zabka, a composer, writer, and director. Zabka's breakout role came in his first movie, 1984's The Karate Kid. Zabka played the role of Johnny Lawrence, the main antagonist to the title character played by Ralph Macchio. An unused ending to the film later became the beginning of the 1986 film The Karate Kid, Part II, giving Zabka a brief appearance in the sequel.
During the 1980s Zabka continued to define his bully role 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 with Edward Woodward (1986-1989) and he played Jack, Audrey's...
less
