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My guest today is William Zabka who is best known for his portrayal of Johnny Lawrence both in Cobra Kai and the Karate Kid movies. While Johnny is the quintessential 80's bully, William is the complete polar opposite of that character. The bully you love to hate is actually a passionate filmmaker and dedicated family man who has overcome the challenges and obstacles of the wildly fickle entertainment industry.

We discuss his commitment to sticking to his values and what he did during the seemingly big gap in his career from Karate Kid to more than 30 years later resurfacing in Cobra Kai. He talks openly about the tough decisions to turn down jobs that weren’t a good fit while struggling with feelings of doubt.

Throughout our conversation, William shares his first hand experiences on some of the principles I teach in the Optimizer Coaching and Mentorship program like shifting your mindset to work in your favor, staying authentic to your values, facing your fears head on. And having said that, I hope this conversation will leave you inspired to pursue your biggest dreams.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

How William manages to make Johnny Lawrence’s character feel so authentic and his ‘purging’ process to disconnect from the character after each shooting season.
How William deals with the ‘droughts’ in his career.
The award-winning short film that William co-wrote and co-produced that was met with seemingly impossible odds.
Why William decided to say ‘no’ to acting roles when he was at the height of his success.
The work culture in Cobra Kai: The best idea wins no matter who it belongs to.
How William ascertains whether an opportunity is good or bad.
How William balances being a dad with his busy career in the entertainment industry.
What made William decide to go back to acting and play the role of Johnny Lawrence again.
William’s mic-drop advice to his fellow creatives to find fulfilling work.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Most (2013) - Short film co-written and co-produced by William Zabka

A Tiger's Tale

Sweep the Leg by No More Kings music video

The Equalizer TV Series

Edward Woodward

Continue to Listen & Learn

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Ep200: Ralph Macchio ‘Waxing On’ About Authentically Living a More Balanced and Fulfilling Life

Ep206: Career & Life Advice from The Office Director & Producer | with Jen Celotta

Tired of Life Kicking Your Ass? Learn to Fight Back Like a True ‘Cobra Kai’

Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

Ep11: Making It In Hollywood as a “Creative” (What They Don’t Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn

Ep80: How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

Ep106: On the Vital Importance of “Being Nice” | with Jesse Averna, ACE

Ep102: How to Create Your Own Opportunities to Pursue Dream Projects | with Richard Sanchez

Ep185: | Building a Fulfilling Career Across Multiple Mediums (Without Getting Pigeonholed) | with Stephanie Filo, ACE

Guest Bio:

william-zabka-bio William Zabka

William Zabka is an Academy Award nominated producer, screenwriter, director, actor, cultural icon, and one of entertainment's most beloved artists. Born in New York City to a father who was assistant director on Johnny Carson’s The Tonight Show, Zabka developed an early love and appreciation for all aspects of entertainment, both in front of and behind the camera. At 18, Zabka landed the infamous role of Johnny Lawrence in The Karate Kid, which would cement him in cinema history as one of the most iconic villains of all time. After The Karate Kid, Zabka went on to star in the comedy Just One of the Guys (1985), the sequel National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985), and the Rodney Dangerfield classic Back to School (1986). He also reprised his role as Johnny Lawrence in 1986’s The Karate Kid, Part II. Zabka also co-starred on the hit CBS crime drama TV series The Equalizer (1986-1989) as the son of the title character, Edward Woodard. He’s currently starring in the hit Netflix TV show Cobra Kai.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Ep220: William Zabka on Managing Overnight Success, Choosing the Right Opportunities (to Avoid Being Pigeonholed), Staying Creative, and Balancing Fatherhood with Hollywood

The Zack Arnold Podcast