William Michael "Billy" Zabka is an American actor, screenwriter, director and producer.
Background
Zabka was born in New York City to Stanley and Nancy Zabka. His father, who was assistant director of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson during the first two years of Carson"s tenure, has worked as production manager on a number of motion pictures, including the Chuck Norris vehicle Forced Vengeance. Zabka grew up with two siblings.
Career
Zabka is best known for his villain roles in several iconic 80s films, such as his role as Johnny Lawrence in 1984"s The Karate Kid. Zabka"s breakout role came in his first movie, 1984"s The Karate Kid. He played Johnny Lawrence, the main antagonist to the title character played by Ralph Macchio.
His participation in the film inspired him to learn the martial art of Tang Soo Do and later earning a second green belt.
During the 1980s, Zabka appeared in the comedy movies Just One of the Guys (1985) and Back to School (1986). Zabka also co-starred on the Columbia Broadcasting System television series The Equalizer as the son of the title character (1986-1989).
He also played Jack, Audrey"s jock boyfriend, in National Lampoon"s European Vacation. During the 1990s and 2000s, he acted mostly in independent films while studying to be a filmmaker.
In 2003, he wrote and produced the short film Most, shot on location in the Czechoslovakian Republic and Poland.
In 2007, Zabka directed and starred in a music video for the band Number More Kings entitled "Sweep the Legal". The video stars Zabka as a caricature of himself, living in a trailer in the desert and obsessed with his role in The Karate Kid. The video includes cameos by several of the original Karate Kid cast members, including Martin Kove and Ralph Macchio.
In 2010, Zabka directed Rascal Flatts in their music video for the song "Why Wait".
That same year, Zabka made a cameo appearance in the film Hot Tub Time Machine. Zabka also appeared in several episodes of the show"s ninth season.
Zabka is currently directing commercials for clients including Little Tikes and Verizon at Heresy in Venice, California.