Did William Zabka’s Role On "How I Met Your Mother" Spark "Cobra Kai?"

William Zabka, renowned for his role as Johnny Lawrence in The Karate Kid series, addressed a question that’s lingered for years: did his guest role on How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM) contribute to the revival of his iconic character in Cobra Kai? Appearing as a fictionalized version of himself in the hit CBS sitcom, Zabka shared the screen with HIMYM’s ensemble cast, including Neil Patrick Harris’s character, Barney Stinson, who famously revered Zabka's “Johnny” as the true hero of The Karate Kid films. Zabka recently reflected on this unique role and its possible influence on the success of Cobra Kai during a fan Q&A.

The HIMYM Connection: A Spark for Cobra Kai?

The Karate Kid has been an enduring part of pop culture since its 1984 debut. For Zabka, who played Daniel LaRusso’s (Ralph Macchio) adversary Johnny Lawrence, the film not only marked the start of his acting career but also launched a character he would revisit decades later. However, it wasn’t until his HIMYM role in seasons eight and nine, portraying a satirical version of himself, that Zabka was once again in the public spotlight. Many fans credit these appearances with reminding audiences (and possibly the studios) of Zabka's appeal as Johnny, potentially laying the groundwork for Cobra Kai’s concept.

Zabka commented on the speculation at GalaxyCon Raleigh, noting, “That’s a great question. A lot of people ask that and wonder that, including Neil Patrick Harris himself. We’ve talked about this. I think that having Barney Stinson embrace Johnny Lawrence as the real hero of The Karate Kid didn’t hurt anything.” Zabka’s connection to Harris’s popular character—who also considered villains like Darth Vader and Hans Gruber to be heroes—added comedic irony, positioning Johnny as a “misunderstood” character and giving Zabka a light-hearted yet impactful role in HIMYM’s storytelling.

HIMYM: Embracing a Character Legacy with Humor

Zabka’s return in HIMYM’s ninth season offered him a humorous way to reintroduce himself to fans. Reflecting on his experience, he recalled the surreal feeling of playing “Billy Zabka” while surrounded by HIMYM’s iconic cast: “To show up on a hit network show that was an Emmy-winning show and do the whole ninth season, I’m so thankful for that, to the writers, to the directors, to the entire cast,” Zabka shared. “I come in, and I’m playing Billy Zabka, so I’m sitting at a table with Neil Patrick Harris, but you just see all their names: Barney Stinson, Ted Mosby [Josh Radnor], and then Billy Zabka as himself. And I’m like, how am I even here?”

Zabka’s role on HIMYM arguably rekindled interest in Johnny Lawrence, not just as a nostalgic villain but as a character with layers. In the series, Barney’s humorous fixation on Zabka’s “Johnny Lawrence” character, painting him as the misunderstood hero of The Karate Kid, paralleled the concept that would later underpin Cobra Kai: that Johnny, too, has a story worth exploring.

Cobra Kai: From YouTube to Netflix and Beyond

Originally launched on YouTube Red in 2018 before moving to Netflix, Cobra Kai has become a cultural phenomenon in its own right. The show’s success derives in part from how it reinterprets The Karate Kid story from Johnny’s perspective, emphasizing redemption and change. This character-driven angle may owe something to HIMYM’s portrayal of Zabka, where audiences were invited to see Johnny as a complex character and not merely the archetypal bully. Now in its sixth and final season, Cobra Kai has expanded the Karate Kid universe, exploring relationships, rivalries, and legacies in ways that appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers.

Zabka’s Legacy with The Karate Kid

Zabka’s Cobra Kai role has extended his legacy far beyond his early work in The Karate Kid. Alongside Macchio, he has revisited the roles that defined their careers, further embedding Johnny Lawrence into pop culture. Both Zabka and Macchio have embraced their characters’ nuanced, often tumultuous journeys, from their youth in the dojo to the present-day challenges of mentorship and rivalry.

As Cobra Kai approaches its final episodes, set to premiere on November 15th, fans continue to celebrate the remarkable journey that brought The Karate Kid universe back to life—perhaps with a little help from Barney Stinson.

Whether or not Zabka’s appearance on How I Met Your Mother directly influenced Cobra Kai’s creation, it’s clear that the sitcom helped solidify Johnny Lawrence’s place as a character audiences were eager to revisit. By adding humor and depth to the Johnny Lawrence persona, HIMYM played a unique role in reviving a story beloved by generations. And with the success of Cobra Kai, Zabka’s journey as Johnny Lawrence has proven to be far from over, resonating with both those who grew up with The Karate Kid and a new generation of fans.

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Source: Bleeding Cool

Photo Credit: CBS