What Happened to This ‘Karate Kid’ Teen Idol & How Does He Look 40 Years after the Show’s Release?

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.

For the first time, baby hears his mother’s voice

Back in 2017, a mom named Christy Keane shared what is believed to be one of the most heartwarming and most emotional videos we’ve ever seen, that of her baby girl hearing her voice for the first time ever.

As explained in the caption of the video which has been seen over 111 million times, baby Charly was born profoundly deaf and she had never heard a single sound. So, when she got her hearing aid and was able to learn what her mom’s voice sounds like, Charly started crying tears of joy. Her expression was enough for her parents to understand that she could now feel the world around her as a whole.

We are so glad that this precious moment was caught on tape.

It is so awesome that the advance of technology allows different aids to be produced and used by people with certain impairments and disabilities and to facilitate their lives to the extent they are able to function independently and be valuable members of the society.