The only surviving main actors from the 1985 TV series The Equalizer

Long before Denzel Washington played the quietly lethal Robert McCall the movie “The Equalizer”.Edward Woodward played the character in the original CBS series. “The Equalizer” aired on the network from 1985 to 1989 and featured Woodward as a retired intelligence agent who uses his skills to help bring justice to those wronged in everyday life.

It's an extremely durable formula that has spawned not only three films directed by Denzel (with the fourth and fifth “Equalizer” movies have already been confirmed), but also a reboot series starring Queen Latifah that has been running for five full seasons. Each iteration of this franchise has introduced something new, but none of them could have existed without the original series from co-writers Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim.

There was a lot to love about The 80s Show, which took a simple premise and, with the help of Woodward and a rotating cast of leading guest stars, turned it into a show that continues to resonate some 40 years after it first debuted. Unfortunately, since then we have lost many of the actors who appeared in The Equalizer, with Woodward himself passing away in 2009. As it stands, we only have a few of the main cast members from the original series with us.

American actor Keith Szarabajka played Mick Kostmeier in The Equalizer, perfectly complimenting his British counterpart. A former Navy SEAL who joined the company at the suggestion of Robert McCall, Kostmeier first appeared in Season 1, Episode 2, and remained on the show for all four seasons, with McCall contacting him for help with many of his jobs.

Kostmeier was Sarabajka's first major TV role after appearing in one episode of Miami Vice. However, after hosting the CBS series, he continued to work steadily, landing small roles in other well-known shows such as “Law & Order”, “Babylon 5” and “Walker, Texas Ranger” in the 1990s. He also had parts in a few films during the decade, but it wasn't until the 2000s that he began appearing in higher-profile projects.

After playing 18th-century vampire hunter Daniel Holtz in 11 episodes of Angel, Sharabajka played Gotham detective Gerard Stevens in the film. “The Dark Knight” (which is still somehow better than you remember)where he had a memorable scene alongside Heath Ledger's Joker taunting Steven for killing his colleagues. Szarabajka briefly reprized the role in The Dark Knight Rises before playing Adam Engel in Argo. The actor has also lent his voice talents to several video games, with his most recent film role coming in 2023's Art Thief.

Although he was only in 12 episodes, William Zabka played a rather important role as Robert McCall's son Scott. Zabka appeared in the series' four seasons as McCall reconnects with his previously estranged son, increasingly involving him in his oppressive business. Before The Equalizer, Zabka was already well known for playing Johnny Lawrence, Ralph Macchio's rival Daniel LaRusso, in 1984's The Karate Kid, a role he briefly reprized in 1986's The Karate Kid Part II. returning to the role more than 30 years later in the legacy sequel series, Cobra Kai.

Between his original 1984 portrayal of Lawrence and his recent appearances as the character, Zabka not only found time to earn his black belt, but also continued to work as an actor, appearing in 1986's Back to School and 1988's Tiger story”. “. Working mostly in independent films for the next decade, Zabka maintained his desire to become a director, and in 2002 wrote and produced the short film Most, which received an Oscar nomination in the live-action short category.

After the 2013 cameo How I Met Your Mother, Zabka reappeared as a fictionalized version of herself in the sitcom's 9th season. Before Zabka's return to the role of Johnny Lawrence in the first season of Cobra Kai in 2018, he landed a small role in an episode of Psycho and parts in other independent films. YouTube Red became a Netflix show. Unfortunately, it looks like Zabka won't be a part of what's to come “The Karate Kid: Legends” legacy sequel.