William Zabka's Journey: From Villain to Netflix Star

William Michael Zabka, born on October 20, 1965, in New York City, New York, is an American actor, producer, screenwriter, and director. As of 2026, his net worth is estimated between $3 million and $4 million, primarily from acting, producing, directing, and real estate investments.

Zabka began his career at 18, becoming known as Hollywood's favorite villain. He graduated from El Camino Real Charter High School in Los Angeles in 1983 and started auditioning while in his first semester at California State University, Northridge.

His breakout role came with The Karate Kid in 1984, despite having no prior karate training. From 2018 to 2025, he reprised his role as Johnny Lawrence in the YouTube Red and Netflix series Cobra Kai, which he co-executive produced alongside Ralph Macchio.

His per-episode earnings for later seasons ranged from $100,000 to $150,000, contributing significantly to his net worth. Zabka also trained in martial arts for his role, achieving a second-degree green belt in Tang Soo Do.