Who plays Johnny Lawrence in Cobra Kai? Star's career and notable projects, explored 

William Zabka is back as Johnny Lawrence in the hit show Cobra Kai, a role he first played in the 1984 movie, The Karate Kid. In the original film, Johnny was the main bad guy, but now, with Cobra Kai, we get a new look at his relationship with Daniel LaRusso, the hero.

This show became popular quickly when it moved to Netflix from YouTube Red. Zabka started playing Johnny when he was just 17. Although people saw Johnny as a good-looking villain, Zabka knew there was more to him. He knew about the character's weaknesses.

Now, he gets to show how Johnny has changed and grown into a more complex antihero. It's been so successful that in the fall of 2020, Cobra Kai broke Netflix records for non-original shows, according to Forbes.

It's safe to say that Cobra Kai has thrusted William Zabka into the spotlight again.

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Cobra Kai's Johnny Lawrence, aka William Zabka’s acting career and top projects

Zabka's career goes beyond his most famous role as Johnny Lawrence. He worked on various projects in both film and TV after The Karate Kid. He played a similar type of character in Just One of the Guys (1985) and Back to School (1986), often the antagonist. In National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985), he took on the role of a jock boyfriend. But he wanted to give more to his roles.

As he told Forbes,

“I’d always try to find something in the characters that was a weak spot, a chink in their armor.”

Zabka's career expanded beyond teen films with a part in the CBS show The Equalizer, which ran from 1985 to 1989. In this series, he was Edward Woodward's charcter, Robert McCall's son. Later on, he had brief roles in Hot Tub Time Machine (2010) and a memorable guest appearance on How I Met Your Mother. There, he played a funny, exaggerated version of himself.

But Zabka didn't just act; he also loved making films. In 2002, he helped write and produce Most (The Bridge), a short film about a father's tough choice. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film.

He also directed music videos, like Rascal Flatts' Why Wait and Yours If You Want It. Then in 2007, he directed Sweep the Leg for No More Kings, referencing his Karate Kid past.

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William Zabka’s transformation in Cobra Kai

Zabka had a chance to revamp Johnny Lawrence. The show's creators, Hurwitz, Schlossberg, and Heald, spotted something special in revisiting the typical high school bully. They wanted to give a new look to this familiar character.

As Schlossberg told Forbes,

“We loved his performances in those ’80s movies... but things don’t always work out for those guys years later.”

Zabka took full advantage of the chance presented to him.

He told Forbes:

“I’m a filmmaker and an artist, and deeper as a person. To play Johnny again from his flaws, his humanity, and his redemption arc is incredible.”

Cobra Kai has allowed Zabka to show off his acting range, making Johnny a much-loved character. Even though he's part of the Karate Kid franchise, he doesn't just rely on nostalgia for success.

In fact, he's done a lot more than act. Zabka has worked as a director, editor, and producer too. While Cobra Kai keeps winning on Netflix's popularity charts, Zabka's impact on Hollywood goes beyond playing Johnny Lawrence.

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Cobra Kai is currently available for streaming on Netflix.

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