Johnny Lawrence (character)

John "Johnny" Lawrence is a fictional character in The Karate Kid media franchise, portrayed by William Zabka. Introduced in the film The Karate Kid (1984), Johnny briefly returns at the beginning of the sequel, The Karate Kid Part II (1986). 34 years later, Zabka reprised the role in the sequel television series Cobra Kai (2018–2025), where he served as the main protagonist. He also made a cameo appearance in the film Karate Kid: Legends (2025).

In the original film, Johnny is depicted as the jealous ex-boyfriend of Ali Mills, the prize student of the Cobra Kai karate dojo, and the defending champion of the All-Valley Under-18 Karate Tournament. He becomes Daniel LaRusso's arch-rival after the latter starts dating Ali, frequently bullying him alongside his fellow Cobra Kai students, and ultimately fighting him at the All-Valley, where he loses to Daniel, and is berated and almost killed by his sensei/father figure John Kreese.

In Cobra Kai, set decades after the original film, Johnny is depicted as having become a depressed alcoholic repairman who has a strained relationship with his son Robby, in contrast to Daniel, who has become a highly successful car salesman. In the aftermath of the destruction of his car, loss of his job, and getting arrested, a disgruntled Johnny chooses to reopen the long-closed Cobra Kai and trains his neighbor Miguel Diaz, whom he comes to see as a son. When Kreese returns to the San Fernando Valley and takes back the Cobra Kai dojo, Johnny unwillingly joins forces with Daniel to take him and later Terry Silver down.