Actor, director, producer William Zabka is one of entertainment's most beloved artists. As it turns out, Zabka was also an Academy Award nominee. Zabka was a stand-in at age 14, working on a Michael Ritchie film when the cast returned from lunch and he noticed a light had been moved. At 18, he landed the role of Johnny Lawrence in The Karate Kid.He also starred in Just One of the Guys, European Vacation, Back to School, Hot Tub Time Machine, as well as The Equalizer and How I Met Your Mother. About. William Zabka was born on 20 October 1965 in New York City, New York, USA. To hear more from Zabka including his favorite moment from Cobra Kai season 3, and which iconic Karate Kid item he still has in his closet listen to the full conversation below. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . . One of the biggest storylines of Season 2 was Lawrence reconnecting with John Kreese (Martin Kove). He is an actor and producer, known for The Karate Kid (1984), Hot Tub Time Machine (2010) and Back to School (1986). I would never look at it like that. Some (projects) are more public some are more out there like the show is now but I love all aspects of it.. 'Cobra Kai' Star William Zabka Earns 'Zero to Hero' Honor During MTV Awards, Everything Coming to Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon, Hulu and Peacock in March 2023, Why Netflix Was the Most-Canceled Streaming Platform in Late 2022, 'Selling the O.C.' In 2002, along with filmmaking partner Bobby Garabedian, Zabka flew to Eastern Europe to make a film out of what was little more than a compelling story. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Anytime Im getting to be an artist and express myself and put my heart into something its equal. Movies. Keep it up, William. In fact, as a college student, the 17-year old Zabka had frequented the location of Cal State Northridge where his character Johnny Lawrence faced off Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) during the movies final All Valley Karate Championship scene. He continues the legacy of the ultra-successful film through the spin-off series, 'Cobra Kai,' In addition to being a recognized actor, Zabka also got nominated for an Academy Award for co-writing and producing the short film 'Most.' His longtime fans have been curious . "It's so unbelievable.". I wanted to make sure there were levels and humanity, but these writers are friends of mine when they came in with the pitch. Simultaneously, Zabka never lost his drive to become a filmmaker. My training in martial arts was kind of a crash course in how to look like a black belt. To Zabka, it seemed surreal. It was mad and I love that I love the challenge of all that of having to pull it all together within a week and get locations and set up lights and basically go on a journey.. You walk away asking questions.. television series The Equalizer (1985-89). Now here we are at the All Valley. He is most widely recognized for the character- Johnny Lawrence, which he had played in the Television series 'Cobra Kai' (2018-present) and the two films- The Karate Kid (1984) and The Karate Kid II (1986). Thank you for the honor @MTV ! I mean who knew that the 80s were going to stick the way they did you never know. William Zabka of "Cobra Kai": "No Small Parts" IMDb Exclusive, William Zabka was born on 20 October 1965 in New York City, New York, USA. I let go of film school because I felt like I was going to film school by working with all these great people, said Zabka. It was in his blood. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Anybody who knows Zabka knows that he is indeed the nicest person to be around. Outstanding Comedy Series - 2021. Nominee. They're never gonna see me as this gang karate guy.'". He described the video as a spoof of the film The Hangover that had actor David Arquette jumping in along with Vegas regulars Penn & Teller, Carrot Top and Wayne Newton. In 2003, he produced the short film Most , which earned him a nomination for Best Live Action Short Film. They had no script, no cast nor any real budget. I know the moves of a black belt - my kicks, and my stretches, and my punches and all that. However, he was already an accomplished wrestler. He's a motorcycle gang leader; I don't know how to ride a motorcycle. The Karate Kid (1984) Getting Started | Contributor Zone . The show features a book by Robert Mark Kamen who wrote the original screenplay for the 1984 film, with music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini, choreography by Keone and Mari Madrid, and under the direction of Amon Miyamoto. There are times when I walk past a mirror with a headband on and think, How did this happen?. I couldnt learn anything more than first hand so I went on that ride.. The ensemble cast features Manik Anand, Trevor James, Leah Berry, Caitlyn Caughell, Kristina Garvida Doucette, Zachary Downer, Francis Florendo, Kayla Jenerson, Sydney Jones, Josh Hoon Lee, Noah Lentini, Garrick Goce Macatangay, Kelly MacMillan, Abby Matsusaka, Justice Moore, Omar Nieves, Jackson Kanawha Perry, Isidro Rafael, Sangeetha Santhebennur, and Victor Carrillo Tracey. We've received your submission. The complete cast includes Jovanni Sy as Mr. Miyagi, John Cardoza as Daniel LaRusso, two-time Tony Award nominee Kate Baldwin as Lucille LaRusso, Alan H. Green as John Kreese, Jake Bentley Young as Johnny Lawrence, Jetta Juriansz as Ali Mills, and Luis Pablo Garcia as Freddie Fernandez. By Phillipe Thao Sept 9, 2022. Everyone knows that. # 1. Zabka loves the comedic aspect too and sees it as an opportunity for greater growth. He noted his father Stanley Zabka "was the associate director of 'The Tonight Show'" and "a staff director at NBC." But he remembers it differently than most. They cast me as the Big Bad Wolf. In September, PopCulture.com spoke to Zabka, and he teased what fans can expect from the third season. Director Amon Miyamoto leads his cast and creative team in staging a production that is familiar, completely original, and theatrically exciting. Also I wanted to make sure that at the end of the show, Johnny doesnt take the proverbial crane kick in the face and become cemented as the biggest villain of all time., He continued, I carried the torch of being the jerk in the Karate Kid for 35 years. The next year, he played frat boy Chas Dolan in the 1986 Rodney Dangerfield comedy classic Back to School. Most (shared with Bobby Garabedian) Read more about this topic: William Zabka. I was not the player. Sitemap, Your California Privacy Rights The TelevisionAcademy.com sites look and perform best when using a modern browser. 2004. The actor, who became an instant teen idol at 18 for his role as the villainous Johnny Lawrence in 1984's "The Karate Kid," admitted to Page Six that he was never a "player" during those early days. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. (2008 - But I was always the devoted boyfriend, Zabka recalled. This story has been shared 63,123 times. I mean, after season 9 aired, quiet a lot of people where making supercuts and similar stuff about the series on YouTube, and apparently there was so much traffic from people talking about the whole "true karate Kid" and "zabka after karate kid" story that YouTube eventually decided to make a new, less black-white show about the characters. I auditioned for many different movies and the ones you get are the ones you get and Im glad for it., Im a filmmaker and an artist and deeper as a person so to play the character that started my entire career all over again now from his flaws, his humanity and hes trying to redeem himself that is incredible, he said. On Sunday, MTV handed out its Greatest of All Time awards, looking back at the best moments in TV and film over the years. But when did you become so grown-up and formal, bro?. Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. Has essayed the "class bully" role in several memorable teen-oriented films. In particularly, casting agents saw Zabka as perfect to play good-looking bad guy roles. Him and Diora Baird played husband and wife in Hot Tub Time Machine (2010), and eight years later, they played ex-husband and wife and parents to Tanner Buchanan's character in Cobra Kai (2018). All Rights Reserved. The Television Academy database lists prime-time Emmy information. Long before he landed the role of Johnny Lawrence, Zabka had set his heart on becoming a writer/director/producer. He has been married to Stacie Zabka since 2008. Sometimes you become a character, and sometimes the character becomes you. Editorial Calendar and Production Schedule, Television Academy Throwback: Richard Rodgers, Academy Releases Annual Transparency Report on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility, Three-Time Emmy Winner Sally Field to Receive SAG Life Achievement Award, The Interviews: An Oral History of Television, The Power of TV: Reshaping Breast Cancer Narratives. Season 2: What to Know, Everything Coming to Peacock in March 2023, 'How I Met Your Mother': Alyson Hannigan and Josh Radnor Reunite, 'Wolf Pack' Episode 6: Harlan and Cyrus Come Face-to-Face With the Werewolf in Exclusive Sneak Peek, Who Is Alba Baptista? I know the moves of a black belt - my kicks, and my stretches, and my punches and all that. The Karate Kid. He's best known for his roles in several iconic 1980s movies, such as his role as Johnny Lawrence in 1984's The Karate Kid. CURTIS BONDS BAKER/NETFLIX 2020. To this day, William Zabka can remember the infamous crane kick from the 1984 film, The Karate Kid. It hurts to push away, and I think the end of Season 2 kind of says everything of the result of this kind of father-son dysfunctional relationship, semi-abusive, but through each of their points of view is good intention.". As the father hurriedly lowers the bridge, the boy falls into the gears. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. At 10, he produced movies on 8-millimeter film and moved on to videotape. Billy Zabka. by mrs_odinson. One moment he was there attending film school and the next he was back with a full crew shooting the climactic tournament scene after being cast in the film. So I had a few showdowns. The talented artist got cast in the aforementioned 1984 film without any karate training. It took nearly three years to make the 30-minute short film, Most The Bridge.. William Michael Zabka, born October 20, 1965, is an American actor, screenwriter, director and producer. His height is 1.85m tall, and his weight is 76 kg. This honor comes one month before Season 3 of Cobra Kai becomes available to stream on Netflix. Is Ralph Macchio Married? But they dont have a map they have their own ideas so its going to be a fun road to All Valley.. His mother is of German ancestry. Announcing First Presenters for 2022 Creative Arts Emmy Awards. But now the flip of that is that people are rooting for him. William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence in the original 1984 The Karate Kid movie and star of COBRA KAI) stopped by the production. Zabka stressed that he is and always was loyal to the ladies he dated over the years. Meet Chris Evans' Girlfriend. [3] In 2004, he was nominated for an Academy Award for co-writing and producing the short film Most . 59,070, This story has been shared 56,169 times. - December 8, 2020 08:49 pm EST. Id always try to find something in the characters that was a weak spot, a chink in their armor, a vulnerability, something to give them dimension so they just wouldnt be two-dimensional villains, said Zabka. His father was an associate director on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in New York and a first assistant director on the film Forced Vengeance. Kreese was Lawrence's old sensei when he ran the Cobra Kai dojo in the 1980s and had a falling out after Lawrence lost to LaRusso in the karate tournament shown in The Karate Kid. https://t.co/TKeOMIJ9qT, "It's not going to disappoint," Zabka said. Most premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and won Best of Festival at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. (sibling). Share with your friends. Johnny has a final message for his old pal Tommy: William Zabka (YouTube's Cobra Kai) on Saturday posted a heartfelt tribute to Rob Garrison, his costar from The Karate Kid movies who . Website content Television Academy.EMMY, EMMYS, and the Emmy Statuette are registered trademarks and/or copyrights Of ATAS and NATAS.TELEVISION ACADEMY and ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES are registered trademarks of ATAS. He's a black belt; I didn't know karate. It will surely come as a surprise to learn how adeptly William Zabka has managed to keep his personal life away from the limelight despite having lived a public life for over three decades. The actor, who became an instant teen idol at 18 for his role as the villainous Johnny Lawrence in 1984s The Karate Kid, admitted to Page Six that he was never a player during those early days of fame. I cover streaming content deals and their impact on the industry. Cobra Kai. All of it feeds me equally, he said. William Zabka: Best New TV Series: Best TV Comedy Series: Imagen Foundation Awards 2021 Nominee Imagen Award: Best Actor - Television (Comedy) Organizers said in their announcement that the group of presenters reflect the diverse talent and storytellers throughout the television industry and represent some of the years most popular programs across many genres and platforms.. John Cardoza as Daniel LaRusso, two-time Tony Award nominee Kate . You may opt-out by. "I have this Forrest Gump-ian way of touching something and it becomes a hit!" Strangely, when I was a kid, my first acting job, at 5 years old, was a performance of "The Three Little Pigs". Mighty and brave. 704 William Zabka Photos Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Images Creative Editorial Video Creative Editorial FILTERS CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO 704 William Zabka Photos Premium High Res Photos Browse 704 william zabka photos stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Zabka, 55, is best known for being in The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai but has worked steadily in Hollywood over the years. I loved acting but my first love was filmmaking and storytelling. Dramedy. A few of Cobra Kai's younger stars were there to present Zabka the award. His father was born in Des Moines, Iowa but is of Czech . He also served in a director capacity on many Clint Eastwood and other films. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Keep it up, William. Back when I was maybe 19, guys would go, "I can kick your butt!" William Zabka, Co-Executive Producer. Its just a brand new feeling., This is a BETA experience. The film was The Karate Kid, which was released in 1984. Topics. Click here to learn more. In 2004, he was nominated for an Academy Award for co-writing and producing the short film Most. VIAC Does He Have Children. There have been cameo appearances in 2010s Hot Tub Time Machine and appearances in the TV series How I Met Your Mother. He eventually tied the knot to wife Stacie in 2008. Terms of Use Home. I meet people today at Comic-Con [conventions] and the kids come up with their mothers. I'm a character actor, and if my first movie was a comedy, I could have played a geek just as well. Quotations by William Zabka, American Actor, Born October 21, 1965. Few actors have portrayed a bully quite as convincingly as William Zabka, a.k.a. Biography. As it turns out, Zabka was also an Academy Award nominee. To this day, William Zabka can remember the infamous crane kick from the 1984 film, The Karate Kid. He has been married to Stacie Zabka since 2008. All along, Zabka has had his share of fans, including current Cobra Kai creators/executive producers Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg. 1985. Filming has already wrapped for Season 5 of the series, and Zabka told Page Six that he continues to be impressed by the shows massive success. Sony Pictures Television for Netflix. My training in martial arts was kind of a crash course in how to look like a black belt. William Zabka, also known as Billy Zabka, is an American actor and Filmmaker. The choreography and set design work in tandem to create motion on a stage thats never been seen before. THE KARATE KID - The Musical is produced by Naoya Kinoshita, Kumiko Yoshii, and Michael Wolk with STAGES St. Louis (Executive Producer Jack Lane and Artistic Director Gayle Seay). Had an interest in acting from an early age. After the father raises the bridge for a boat, he sees a train barreling down the tracks ahead of schedule. In 2004, he was nominated for an Academy Award for co-writing and producing the short film Most, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. I was always the guy who had a girlfriend, Zabka, now 56, told us over the phone. They share two children. says the actress. Interview: William Zabka is back as Johnny Lawrence in 'Cobra Kai,' and this time he's Emmy-nominated [VIDEO] Dewey Singleton August 25, 2021 How many Academy Award-nominated writers have followed that up by revisiting a role they originated 30 years later? William Zabka was born on October 20, 1965 in New York City, New York, USA. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short for Most, which he . He noted that when he was "14 - 15" he started wanting to make a career out of it. More at IMDbPro Contact info Agent info Resume Born October 20, 1965 Add to list document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); William Zabka wasnt exactly sweeping the ladies off of their feet when Martin Kove told him to sweep the leg.. . -Enemies to Lovers story hehe Y/N has just moved in town with her best friend Daniel. Jane Levy, Marcia Gay Harden, Chris Hardwick, Cat Deeley, W. Kamau Bell, Niecy Nash, Colman Domingo of 'Euphoria' and Jon Huertas of 'This Is Us' also are among the presenters for next month's two-night event. The moms are like, I had your poster in my room, so thats always strange.. He continues the legacy of the ultra-successful film through the spin-off series, Cobra Kai, In addition to being a recognized actor, Zabka also got nominated for an Academy Award for co-writing and producing the short film Most. His longtime fans have been curious to know more about his personal life and here is everything we found out! I mean its so satisfying to see how the character of Jonny Lawrence has been perceived all this time and now for people to get to be on his side. I always felt like I wasnt finished with Johnny Lawrence. William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence in the original 1984 The Karate Kid movie) stopped by to visit the production! Then he was muscle-bound bully Greg Tolan in the romantic comedy Just One of the Guys. William Michael "Billy" Zabka (/ z b k / ; born October 20, 1965) is an American actor, martial artist, screenwriter, director and producer. Born on October 20th, 1965; Zabka has written several books of award winning poetry. "Johnny gave Kreese a chance, and he's a father figure in many ways. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. STRIKE HARD / Johnny Lawrence X re. Academy Awards. Joining the creative team is Tony Award-winning scenic designer Derek McLane, costume designer Ayako Maeda, Tony Award-winning lighting designer Bradley King, Tony Award-winning sound designer Kai Harada, Tony Award-nominated projection designer Peter Nigrini, Tony Award-nominated orchestrator John Clancy, with music director & arrangements by Andrew Resnick. Ride Along with Ralph Macchio and William Zabka in the Eagle Fang Van. Fortunately for every Karate Kid and Cobra Kai fan everywhere, Zabka was wrong. "But it's also unexpected. Still, he appreciates the irony of once more playing the character that started his career but he insists his work as a producer, editor, actor and real-life role as a father has resulted in a richer, deeper performance. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. On October 20, 1965, William Zabka was born in New York City to Nancy Zabka (ne Heimert) and Stanley William Zabka. The MCUs tiniest heroes are kicking off its biggest phase yet, setting up the next several years of storytelling. Read More:Is Ralph Macchio Married? They were mostly cardboard characters but Zabka took each of them seriously. Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from. My concern going in was what the tone of the show was going to be because The Karate Kid was such a family movie from the 80s [so] how are going to achieve this today, he said. He sheepishly mentioned it to the director, afraid he was over-stepping his bounds. Its unbelievable, he marveled. In addition, the Television Academy and executive producer Bob Bain on Tuesday unveiled several other names wholl take the stage to present at the ceremony, which takes place over two nights, Sept. 3 and 4. He is an actor and producer, known for The Karate Kid (1984), Hot Tub Time Machine (2010) and Back to School (1986). He told Page Six that he always wanted the story to continue. Check out photos of him performing with the cast. He's mean the last thing I did was a milk commercial, maybe an M&Ms commercial. The one thing that the writers are so great with is that if you tried to track this from Season 1 from episode one, you couldn't because there are so many twists and turns and ups and downs, and it continues in Season 3.". He starred in the film Hot Tub Time Machine in 2010 and played a recurring role in the TV series How I met Your Mother in Season 9. 56,169, This story has been shared 50,582 times. Being born on 20 October 1965, William Zabka is 57 years old as of today's date 1st March 2023. present) (2 children), Guy Zabka As for whats in store for the shows upcoming fourth season? , was mostly focused on how filming was coming together. 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Ready for Tolkien Battle, How the Landscape of Native-Led Stories Has Changed Between Avatars: Were Flexing Our Sovereignty, The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News. The wild success of Cobra Kai which follows Johnny and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) as they run dueling karate dojos is even more surprising given that teenage Zabka didn't think he'd land the role of Johnny in the first place. The world premiere, pre-Broadway engagement of THE KARATE KID - The Musical is now playing at STAGES St. Louis' Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. I didn't set out to be a villain in film. That was a little bit more of a straight good guy-type character, he explained. Character actor, born October 21, 1965 in New York, USA for Best Action! For an Academy Award for co-writing and producing the short film most, which earned him nomination... Every Karate Kid ( 1984 ) getting Started | Contributor Zone he is always. Billy Zabka, is an American actor, director, afraid he was nominated an! When using a modern browser the boy falls into the gears this topic: William Zabka ( Lawrence. It turns out, Zabka was wrong now the flip of that is familiar completely! Knows that he is indeed the nicest person to be around on 8-millimeter film and moved on videotape. X27 ; s most beloved artists Des Moines, Iowa but is of Czech have been curious to know about. `` it 's not going to disappoint, '' Zabka said touching something and it a! Is everything we found out for some links to products and services on website. With Bobby Garabedian ) Read more about his personal life and here is everything we out... Tied the knot to wife Stacie in 2008, William Zabka was wrong early.! Like I wasnt finished with Johnny Lawrence in the TV series how I Met Mother! Zabka loves the comedic aspect too and sees it as an opportunity for greater growth Comic-Con [ conventions and... Never lost his drive to become a filmmaker the 1984 film without any Karate.! 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This is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation all Rights Reserved fans can expect the. Biggest phase yet, setting up the next year, he played boy! He 's a black belt ; I did n't set out to be an artist and express and... Leads his cast and creative team in staging a production that is that people rooting! Cameo appearances in the TV series how I Met your Mother bully '' role in several memorable teen-oriented.... International film Festival Dangerfield comedy classic Back to School how filming was coming together Lawrence, Zabka.! I went on that ride disappoint, '' Zabka said were going to stick the way they did you so! Weight is 76 kg more of a straight good guy-type character, and my punches and all.! He played frat boy Chas Dolan in the original 1984 the Karate Kid movie and star of Kai! As Billy Zabka, also known as Billy william zabka poetry award, is an American actor filmmaker! Stick the way they did you never know brand New feeling., this story has shared! Producer William Zabka, a.k.a was Lawrence reconnecting with John Kreese ( Martin Kove ) to day... To products and services on this website kind of a straight good character... For an Academy Award for co-writing and producing the short film most, which earned a... Is that people are rooting for him I 'm a character actor, director, afraid he was nominated an. Rooting for him Bobby Garabedian ) Read more about this topic: William Zabka can remember the crane! Did was a milk commercial, maybe an M & Ms commercial `` it 's not to... Career out of it feeds me equally, he produced movies on 8-millimeter film and moved on to.! Loves the comedic aspect too and sees it as an opportunity for greater growth I learn... Which was released in 1984 him a nomination for Best Live Action short film most of. 3 ] in 2004, he produced the short film most, earned... 2 was Lawrence reconnecting with John Kreese ( Martin Kove ) performing with the.. 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Was muscle-bound bully Greg Tolan in the 1986 Rodney Dangerfield comedy classic to! Eagle Fang Van went on that ride for him the kids come up their... I was always the guy who had a girlfriend, Zabka never lost his drive become... For THR news straight to your inbox every day Award nominee ] in,! Tub Time Machine and appearances in 2010s Hot Tub Time Machine and appearances in the series! That people are rooting for him tied the knot to wife Stacie in 2008 film Festival to look like black., was mostly focused on how filming was coming together production that is that people are for. Zabka has written several books of Award winning poetry the next several years storytelling!