While attending his first semester at Cal State Northridge, Zabka began auditioning for
The Karate Kid (1984). Halfway through his first semester, Zabka would drop out of school when he got his breakout acting role as Johnny Lawrence, the main antagonist to the title character and protagonist played by
Ralph Macchio. At the time, Zabka had no training in karate, but was an accomplished
wrestler. Participating in the film inspired Zabka to learn the martial art of
Tang Soo Do and he later earned his second green belt. In 1986, Zabka had some smaller roles in films such as
Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story and
Back to School, while also returning as Johnny Lawrence in
The Karate Kid Part II. During the 1990s and 2000s, Zabka acted mostly in independent films and did behind the scenes work while studying to be a filmmaker. In 2003, he wrote and produced the short film
Most (aka
The Bridge) shot on location in the
Czech Republic and
Poland. Later that year,
Most had its world premiere at the
Sundance Film Festival and the film won numerous awards at prestigious film festivals, including Best of Festival at the
Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films in 2003. In 2004, Zabka was nominated for an
Academy Award for
Most in the Live Action Short Film category. In 2007, Zabka directed and starred in a music video for the band
No More Kings' song, "
Sweep the Leg." 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 made a cameo appearance in the comedy movie
Hot Tub Time Machine. That same year, Zabka directed
Rascal Flatts in their music video for the song "
Why Wait" and also directed the video for their 2017 hit "
Yours If You Want It." The video was nominated for Group Video of the Year at the
2018 CMT Music Awards. In 2010, Zabka produced the feature length documentary
White Wanderer: Mzungu, which followed four Americans in Africa as they confront harsh realities and help empower hundreds of impoverished street children. He also served as executive producer for the 2014 documentary
Never A Neverland which documents the people of
Swaziland trying to save their country from extinction. In 2013, Zabka and Macchio guest starred in the season 8 episode of
How I Met Your Mother, "
The Bro Mitzvah." Zabka also appeared in several episodes of the sitcom's
ninth season, playing a fictional version of himself. Zabka also directed commercials for clients including
Little Tikes and
Verizon at Heresy in
Venice, California. He also voiced Johnny Lawrence along with two other characters in an episode of
Robot Chicken entitled "Caffeine-Induced Aneurysm". in 2016 On August 4, 2017, it was announced that Zabka would reprise his role as Johnny Lawrence in a 10-episode
Karate Kid revival series for
YouTube Red titled
Cobra Kai that debuted in 2018. Zabka also co-executive produces the series with
Ralph Macchio. The series begins 33 years after the events of the first film, and revolves around a down and out Johnny who, seeking to rebuild his life, reopens the Cobra Kai dojo. It reignites his rivalry with a now successful
Daniel LaRusso (Macchio), who has been struggling to maintain balance in his life without the guidance of his now deceased mentor,
Mr. Miyagi. The series ran for six seasons, concluding in 2025, with Zabka receiving praise for his passion and ability to convey complex emotions, particularly in dramatic scenes involving his character's past, relationships with other characters, and Johnny's redemption arc. In November 2024, Zabka appeared on the
Tonight Show Starting Jimmy Fallon Show in celebration of The Karate Kids 40th anniversary. He also appeared as a celebrity guest on
Password. In 2025, Zabka made a cameo appearance as Johnny Lawrence in the final scene of the film
Karate Kid Legends. ==Personal life==