William Zabka’s Net Worth, Career, and Cobra Kai Success

William Zabka, best known for playing Johnny Lawrence in The Karate Kid franchise, has had an incredible career resurgence with the hit Netflix series Cobra Kai. From being an ’80s movie star to a respected filmmaker and now a fan-favorite on one of the most successful streaming series, Zabka’s journey in Hollywood is a fascinating one. So, let’s take a deep dive into his net worth, career highlights, and family life as of 2025.

William Zabka’s Net Worth and Salary

As of 2025, William Zabka’s net worth is estimated to be around $3 million. He has built his fortune through his work as an actor, director, producer, and writer. While he first gained international recognition in the 1984 blockbuster The Karate Kid, his recent success with Cobra Kai has significantly boosted his earnings.

Zabka reportedly earned $100,000 per episode for the first two seasons of Cobra Kai, which totaled about $1 million per season. Since the show’s move to Netflix, its massive popularity has likely increased his salary, making it one of the biggest financial wins of his career.

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Early Life and Family

William Michael Zabka was born on October 20, 1965, in New York City. Growing up in a film-centric family, his parents played major roles in shaping his interest in the entertainment industry. His father, Stan Zabka, was a director, writer, and assistant director on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. His mother, Nancy Zabka, worked as a producer and business liaison.

Although he grew up in a Hollywood family, Zabka had no prior martial arts experience before landing the role of Johnny Lawrence in The Karate Kid. Interestingly, he was a high school wrestler, which helped him look the part of a skilled fighter. However, after filming the movie, he became genuinely interested in martial arts and earned a second-degree green belt in Tang Soo Do.

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The Karate Kid and Hollywood Fame

Zabka’s big break came in 1984 when he was cast as Johnny Lawrence, the cocky antagonist to Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid. The film became a cultural phenomenon, grossing over $100 million on an $8 million budget and single-handedly popularizing karate across the world.

Though he played a bully on-screen, Zabka’s portrayal of Johnny Lawrence was more complex than just a villain. His character had layers, which Cobra Kai would later explore in greater depth.

Following The Karate Kid, Zabka starred in a variety of ’80s films, including:

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• Just One of the Guys (1985)
• National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985)
• The Karate Kid: Part II (1986, in a flashback scene)
• Back to School (1986)

During the ’90s, Zabka transitioned to working behind the camera, focusing on writing, producing, and directing. He even earned an Academy Award nomination for the 2003 short film Most, which he co-wrote and produced. The film was widely acclaimed and screened at prestigious festivals like Sundance.

The Cobra Kai Phenomenon

In 2017, William Zabka and Ralph Macchio reunited to pitch a rebooted Karate Kid series, centered around their original characters. Several streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and Apple, expressed interest, but YouTube Red ultimately won the rights. The show, titled Cobra Kai, debuted in May 2018.

The series flipped the original script, presenting Johnny Lawrence as a struggling middle-aged man who tries to redeem himself by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo. This fresh perspective added depth to Zabka’s character and resonated with fans both old and new.

Despite receiving critical acclaim, Cobra Kai initially struggled to gain widespread viewership due to YouTube Red’s lack of popularity. That all changed in August 2020, when Netflix acquired the series. With its new home, Cobra Kai quickly became one of Netflix’s most-watched shows, ranking in the platform’s Top 10 for weeks.

How Much Does William Zabka Make from Cobra Kai?

For the first two seasons, Zabka and Macchio earned $100,000 per episode. With each season typically having 10 episodes, this translated to $1 million per season for each actor. Given Cobra Kai‘s massive success on Netflix, it’s likely their salaries increased significantly for later seasons.

Additionally, Zabka is a co-executive producer on the show, which means he also profits from the show’s overall success. With at least four seasons confirmed on Netflix, Cobra Kai continues to be a lucrative project for him.

Directing and Other Projects

Beyond acting, Zabka has had a successful career in directing and producing. He has directed commercials and music videos, working with brands like:

• Verizon
• Little Tikes

He also directed and wrote the short film Most, which, as mentioned earlier, was nominated for an Academy Award.

Personal Life

Despite his Hollywood fame, Zabka prefers to keep his personal life private. He is married to Stacie Zabka, and they have two children together. The family lives a relatively low-key life away from the spotlight.

Though he often portrays a tough guy on screen, in reality, Zabka is known for being one of the nicest people in Hollywood. Many co-stars and fans describe him as down-to-earth, humble, and genuinely kind.

What’s Next for William Zabka?

With Cobra Kai continuing its success on Netflix, Zabka’s career has seen a major resurgence. As of 2025, he remains actively involved in the entertainment industry, whether through acting, producing, or directing.

Given the nostalgia-driven appeal of Hollywood right now, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him take on new projects related to the Karate Kid universe or entirely new ventures.

William Zabka’s $3 million net worth reflects his longevity in Hollywood and his ability to evolve with the times. While many actors from the ’80s struggle to stay relevant, he has successfully reinvented himself, proving that talent and perseverance always pay off.

From his days as Johnny Lawrence in The Karate Kid to becoming an executive producer and leading star in Cobra Kai, Zabka has cemented his legacy in pop culture.

With his acting skills, directing talent, and business acumen, the future looks bright for William Zabka. Whether you’ve been a fan since the ’80s or discovered him through Cobra Kai, one thing is certain—Johnny Lawrence is here to stay.