William Zabka’s journey from his iconic role as Johnny Lawrence in *The Karate Kid* to his resurgence as a star in *Cobra Kai* is a story of transformation, both personally and professionally. Though he initially found fame as the quintessential teen villain, Zabka never set out to pursue a lifelong acting career. His early love for storytelling, sparked by working behind the scenes as a child, became the backbone of his passion for filmmaking.
Despite his early success, Zabka faced the challenges of a fluctuating career, enduring long periods without work. This forced him to reflect on his path, and at one point, he even considered stepping away from acting altogether. During that time, he explored his love for music and dedicated more of his energy to family life.
However, his return to the spotlight with *Cobra Kai* breathed new life into his career. As the series explored Johnny Lawrence’s adult life, Zabka seized the opportunity to redefine the character, moving beyond the black-and-white portrayal of a teen villain into something much more layered and human.
Fans of both *The Karate Kid* and *Cobra Kai* have praised Zabka’s nuanced performance, and his journey has inspired many. With Emmy nominations to his name, he has not only reinvigorated his acting career but also found a deep fulfillment in balancing his work and family. His love for fatherhood and his dedication to being a hands-on parent show that his real-life role as a dad is just as important as his on-screen success.
Zabka’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and reinvention—proof that while some careers ebb and flow, a passion for storytelling can keep someone going through the highs and lows. His legacy continues to grow, with fans both old and new celebrating his enduring talent.
This Caribbean Island Is Back From the Brink—and Ready To Share Its Treasures With the World
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The paintings of Italian-born artist Agostino Brunias, who made a profession of depicting the island in subdued, stylized settings that covered up the harsh realities of colonial control, were my first visual introduction to Dominica. However, as soon as I step onto its winding roads, which begin to twist shortly after I arrive, it becomes evident that this region, which is situated in the center of the Lesser Antilles’ curve, is anything but tame. The two-toned leaves of its bois canot trees, which change color from green to white when they sway in the wind, shimmer and bristle with the power of the volcano. It lulls with the erratic sound of its numerous waterfalls, scatters rainbows haphazardly across its breathtaking horizons, and enchants from the depths with its vibrant coral reefs. And it roars come storm season.
The indigenous Kalinago people of Dominica survived invasion by the French and British, who imposed slavery on the Africans who now make up four-fifths of the island’s population and left a linguistic legacy of English and French-based Creole, by mastering the lush tropical rainforest that covers more than 60% of the island. If you visit Trinidad for roti and Jamaica for jerk, you should travel to Dominica for green things like bush rum and flower teas. There are a ton of medicinal herbs in the forest.
The Jungle Bay Dominica resort, located smack dab in the center of the Soufrière jungles, leans into nature instead, maybe realizing the futility of fighting against the earth’s generosity. When I finally get there, the kitchen is closed. Joanne Hilaire, the operations manager, tells me that they never let guests go hungry, though, so I can feel the warmth of Dominica’s welcome. The cook is preparing an excellently stewed dish of beans with taro, rice, and plantain for our late dinner, off the menu, while I have a refreshing ginger-lime cocktail that is a local favorite. When I wake up the following morning, I find that my villa’s doors open onto a private veranda that faces southwest toward Soufrière Bay, where the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean converge. I let the light wake me for the remainder of my stay by leaving my blinds open.
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