In 2018, he reprised his role as Johnny Lawrence in the YouTube Red and Netflix series Cobra Kai, which he co-executive produces with Ralph Macchio.

The series, set 33 years after the original film, explores the re-opening of the Cobra Kai dojo and the rekindling of the rivalry between Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso.

[7] He worked as production manager on many motion pictures, including the Chuck Norris film Forced Vengeance (1982).

[10] Participating in the film inspired Zabka to learn the martial art of Tang Soo Do and he later earned a second–degree green belt.

The video stars Zabka as a caricature of himself, living in a trailer in the desert and obsessed with his role in The Karate Kid.

[17] On August 4, 2017, it was announced that Zabka would reprise his role as Johnny Lawrence in a 10-episode Karate Kid revival series for YouTube Red titled Cobra Kai that debuted in 2018.

The series begins 33 years after the events of the first film, and revolves around a down and out Johnny who, seeking to rebuild his life, reopens the Cobra Kai dojo.

It reignites his rivalry with a now successful Daniel LaRusso (Macchio), who has been struggling to maintain balance in his life without the guidance of his now deceased mentor, Mr.