William Zabka is the ultimate comeback story. After decades of being "that guy from the 80s," he’s back on top, but if you think he's living in a glass mansion on the Sunset Strip, you've got him all wrong. Honestly, the question of where does William Zabka live is way more interesting than your standard celebrity real estate gossip because he’s basically spent his life bouncing between two very different worlds.
He isn't Johnny Lawrence. He doesn't live in a run-down apartment in Reseda, drinking Coors Banquet and eating gas station jerky. But he also isn't exactly the "Hollywood elite" type. While Ralph Macchio is famously rooted in New York, Zabka has cultivated a lifestyle that feels much more low-key and spread out.
The California Connection and the Valley Roots
Basically, Zabka is a Valley kid at heart. Even though he was born in New York City, his family packed up and moved to the San Fernando Valley when he was just 10 years old. That’s where he grew up. That’s where he went to high school. It’s the same neighborhood where The Karate Kid was filmed, which is kinda poetic if you think about it.
For a long time, his home base was Burbank. In fact, real estate records show he bought a home there back in 1996 for around $256,000. That’s a steal compared to today’s prices, where that same property is valued at over $1 million. It wasn't some sprawling estate; it was a normal house for a guy who was working as a producer and filmmaker behind the scenes when the acting gigs weren't as frequent.
But life in Southern California hasn't been all sunshine for the sensei.
Just recently, in January 2025, Zabka reportedly lost a home in the devastating Palisades/Eaton fires that ripped through the Los Angeles area. It’s a harsh reminder that even the biggest stars aren’t immune to the realities of living in fire-prone California canyons. While he’s always had a foothold in LA for work, he’s been quietly shifting his focus elsewhere.
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Moving to Music City: The Tennessee Pivot
The biggest surprise for fans looking into where does William Zabka live is his move to the South.
Around November 2020, Zabka joined the growing list of celebrities fleeing the West Coast for Tennessee. He reportedly dropped about $1.025 million on a home in Brentwood, which is just outside of Nashville. If you know anything about Brentwood, you know it’s the Beverly Hills of the South. It’s where country music royalty like Carrie Underwood and Dolly Parton have lived.
Why Nashville? Well, it fits his vibe. Zabka has always been more of a family man than a party animal. He’s been married to his wife, Stacie, since 2008, and they have two kids. Nashville offers a sense of privacy that Los Angeles just can't provide anymore. Plus, there’s no state income tax, which is a nice bonus when that Cobra Kai money is rolling in.
- Burbank, CA: His long-time California residence.
- Brentwood, TN: His primary family home since 2020.
- New York: He still maintains deep ties to his birthplace, though it's more of a visiting spot.
Life Away from the Dojo
When he isn't filming in Atlanta—where most of Cobra Kai is actually shot—Zabka is remarkably active. He’s not sitting on a porch. He’s out surfing, scuba diving, or river rafting with his kids. He’s mentioned in interviews that he loves the outdoors, and that’s a big part of why his Tennessee move made sense. You get the rolling hills, the rivers, and a bit of breathing room.
It’s also worth noting that he’s actually kept up with his karate. Unlike some actors who move on the second the cameras stop rolling, Zabka has embraced the martial arts lifestyle in his personal life. It’s part of his daily routine now.
Why the Location Matters for His Career
People often assume actors have to live in LA to stay relevant. Zabka proved that wrong. He was living his life, raising his kids, and working on independent films when the call for Cobra Kai came. He didn't need to be at every red carpet event.
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There's a specific nuance to how he handles fame. He’s famously private. You won't find him posting "house tours" on TikTok or showing off his kitchen remodel on Instagram. He keeps his family life behind a curtain, which is probably why he’s stayed so grounded despite being the face of one of the biggest streaming hits of the decade.
Mapping Out the Real Estate Reality
If you’re trying to pin down his exact coordinates, you’re going to have a hard time. While sites like Celebrity Net Worth and local real estate blogs track his purchases in Burbank and Brentwood, Zabka doesn't stay in one place for long.
The reality of a modern actor's life is a bit like a nomad.
- He spends months at a time in Atlanta for filming.
- He retreats to Tennessee for family time.
- He heads to LA for industry meetings and press.
It’s a triangle that keeps him busy.
What to Do if You Want to Channel Your Inner Johnny Lawrence
If you’re a fan and want to see the "home" of William Zabka's character, don't go to Tennessee. You’ll want to head to the San Fernando Valley. The iconic South Seas apartment complex where Johnny lived in the original movie—and where Daniel moved in—is located at 19223 Saticoy Street in Reseda.
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For the Cobra Kai fans, Johnny’s "dingy" apartment is actually located in Tarzana at 18555 Burbank Boulevard. It’s funny because in real life, Zabka lived just a few miles away in a much nicer part of the same neighborhood for years.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out the filming locations in Atlanta if you want to see where he spends his work year.
- Respect the man’s privacy in Brentwood; he moved there to get away from the paparazzi.
- Follow his official social media for rare glimpses of his outdoor adventures, but don't expect a GPS pin.
Living between the California coast and the Tennessee hills, William Zabka has figured out how to balance being a global icon with being a normal dad. He’s successfully navigated the transition from 80s villain to modern-day hero, all while keeping his home life exactly where it should be: private and far away from the Hollywood drama.