Biography

Stanley William Zabka was one of 11 siblings. He served in both WWII and the Korean War. He was a pianist and composer, whose co-written composition "Chimes" (with Al D'Artega) was used as the theme song of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) and a marching band version of the same was the NBC Sports theme for several years. He also co-wrote "Christmas Eve in My Home Town" (with Donald Upton), which was recorded by Kate Smith, Jim Nabors, Bobby Vinton, Eddie Fisher and many others. He was an assistant director and director, known for his work on Romancing the Stone (1984), Midnight Run (1988) and Bronco Billy (1980). He was married to Nancy Heimert (whom he met while they were both working at The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
- IMDb mini biography by: Rex Strother

Father of William Zabka, who played the bully "Johnny Lawrence" in The Karate Kid (1984) and reprised that same role in Cobra Kai (2018).

On the series Cobra Kai (2018), starring son William Zabka, William's character "Johnny Lawrence" (from The Karate Kid (1984)) is watching Johnny's favorite movie, "Iron Eagle," of which his dad, Stan, 2nd Unit Directed the aerial sequences, which are the only scenes we see "Johnny" watching.

Met his wife, Nancy Heimer, while both were working at The Tonight Show. He was an associate director and she was a production assistant. She had previously worked as commercial coordinator for The Merv Griffin Show.