‘Karate Kid’ Villain Promotes Anti-Bullying Message

William Zabka as Johnny in ‘Karate Kid’ (Image: Columbia)

William Zabka’s “sweep the leg” days are officially behind him. The actor, who played Daniel LaRusso’s teenage tormenter Johnny in Karate Kid, delivered a powerful anti-bullying message to a group of Maryland karate students on Saturday — and he even brought along one of his fellow Cobra Kais. Watch the video below.

Speaking at Kick Masters Karate in Clarysville for their second annual Anti-Bullying Day, Zabka, 50, used his character from 1984’s Karate Kid to explain how kids become bullies. “There’s a saying: A bully is a victim whose story has not yet been told. There’re people who are dishing out what’s been given to them at home,” said Zabka. The actor noted that Johnny, who relentlessly bullied Ralph Macchio’s titular protagonist until the film’s climactic fight, didn’t have parents, and that his sensei Kreese (Martin Kove) had “his own issues” that he passed along to his students.

‘Karate Kid’ actors Rob Garrison (left) and Billy Zabka pose with a baby at Kick Masters Karate on Saturday. Our money’s on the baby. (Image: Facebook)

Zabka also pointed out that one of the film’s bullying incidents — the beach scene, in which Johnny attacks Daniel on the beach — could have been stopped if one of Johnny’s friends had intervened. “There’s three [kinds of] people in the situation: There’s the bully, there’s the targeted, and then there’s the witnesses. And they stood by. And nobody stepped up,” the actor told the crowd. “So you guys are your own witnesses and you guys can empower each other… Bullies can be backed down. It just needs all of us.” And, he added, bullies can change, just like Johnny does by the end of the film: “Some of these bullies, one day, they could be your friend.”

Appearing alongside Zabka at the event was actor Rob Garrison, who played a member of Johnny’s gang named Tommy (and repeated his most memorable line, “Put him in a body bag, Johnny!” for the kids). While at Kickmasters Karate, the two actors posed for some great photos with the karate students — including the one below, with a black belt named Bruce Tarburton who dressed as Johnny for the occasion.

Student Bruce Tarburton (left) and actor Billy Zabka (right) pretend to square off at Kick Masters Karate in Clarysville MD. (Image: Facebook)