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Cynthia Rothrock

Cynthia Rothrock

Acting

Born: March 8, 1957Wilmington, Delaware, USA

Cynthia Rothrock (born March 8, 1957) is an American martial artist and actress in martial arts films. She holds black belt rankings in seven styles of martial arts and was a high-level competitor in martial arts before becoming an actress. In 2014, she was inducted into the International Sports Hall Of Fame. In 2016, Martial Arts History Museum bestowed Rothrock the official title of "The Queen Of Martial Arts." Rothrock was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and began training in martial arts at the age of 13. She quickly rose through the ranks, winning numerous championships in karate, kickboxing and taekwondo. In 1981, she was named World Champion in Forms and Weapons. In 1985, Rothrock made her film debut, alongside Michelle Yeoh, in the Hong Kong action film "Yes, Madam!" The film was a box office success and made Rothrock a star in Asia. She went on to star in several more Hong Kong films, including "Millionaires' Express" (1986), "Magic Crystal" (1986), "Righting Wrongs" (1986) and "Lady Reporter" (1989). Rothrock would return to the United States to further her acting career in many more martial arts films, including two "China O'Brien" movies in 1990, as well as "Lady Dragon" (1992), "Rage And Honor" (1992) and "Sworn To Justice" (1996). In 2024, Rothrock co-wrote, produced and starred in a crowd-funded martial arts western, entitled "Black Creek," for which there's also an accompanying graphic novel. Rothrock made history by becoming the inaugural woman to grace the cover of Karate Illustrated (August 1981)[20] and holds the distinction of being the first woman featured on the cover three times in the magazine's history. In March 2024, Black Belt Magazine named Rothrock in its list of "The Most Influential Women Martial Artists on the Planet." Along with teaching martial arts, Rothrock is also a successful businesswoman, with her own line of martial arts clothing and accessories.

Known For
Filmography
The Untold Story of No Retreat No Surrender

The Untold Story of No Retreat No Surrender

Self

2026
Dying for Living

Dying for Living

Sin

2025
Darkness of Man

Darkness of Man

Nurse Leslie

2025
Black Creek

Black Creek

Rose Jennings

2024
Lady Scorpions

Lady Scorpions

Alena Moore

2024
American Expendables: The Films of North American Pictures

American Expendables: The Films of North American Pictures

Self (archive footage)

2024
The Last Kumite

The Last Kumite

Julie Jackson

2024
Fyre Rises

Fyre Rises

Commander Bodie

2024
Taken from Rio Bravo

Taken from Rio Bravo

Margaret

2024
No Time To Think

No Time To Think

Rachel Adams

2024
Buckle Up

Buckle Up

Lady X

2023
The Hanged Man: The Story of Ron Van Clief

The Hanged Man: The Story of Ron Van Clief

Herself

2023
Ryan Carson

Ryan Carson

Ally Watson

2022
New York Ninja

New York Ninja

Det. Janet Flores (voice)

2021
Re-Enter the 'New York Ninja'

Re-Enter the 'New York Ninja'

Self

2021
In Search of the Last Action Heroes

In Search of the Last Action Heroes

Self

2019
Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks

Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks

Self

2019
Cool Cat Kids Superhero

Cool Cat Kids Superhero

Momma Cat

2018
Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece

Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece

Counter Attendant

2018
Death Fighter

Death Fighter

Valerie

2017
Star Raiders: The Adventures of Saber Raine

Star Raiders: The Adventures of Saber Raine

Kandra Syn

2017
Fists of Fury

Fists of Fury

Self

2017
A Doggone Hollywood

A Doggone Hollywood

Mom in Car

2017
Asian Ghost Story

Asian Ghost Story

2016
Showdown in Manila

Showdown in Manila

Haines

2016
The Martial Arts Kid

The Martial Arts Kid

Cindy

2015
Cool Cat Saves the Kids

Cool Cat Saves the Kids

Momma Cat

2015
Mercenaries

Mercenaries

Mona

2014
Spirit2Power

Spirit2Power

Self

2014
Badass Showdown

Badass Showdown

Ivy

2013
Santa's Summer House

Santa's Summer House

Nanna

2012
Sci-Fighter

Sci-Fighter

Sally Kirk / The White Dragon

2004
Lost Bullet

Lost Bullet

Cynthia

2003
Modern Warriors

Modern Warriors

Self

2002
Outside the Law

Outside the Law

Julie Cosgrove

2002
The Art of Action: Martial Arts in the Movies

The Art of Action: Martial Arts in the Movies

Self

2002
Redemption

Redemption

Erin Murphy

2002
Manhattan Chase

Manhattan Chase

Nancy

2000
Tiger Claws III

Tiger Claws III

Linda Masterson

1999
Masters of the Martial Arts Presented by Wesley Snipes

Masters of the Martial Arts Presented by Wesley Snipes

Self

1998
The Hostage

The Hostage

Agent Rebecca Peters

1998
Deep Cover

Deep Cover

FBI Special Agent Kate Mason

1997
The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!

The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!

Bertha Jo

1997
Night Vision

Night Vision

Kristin O'Connor

1997
Sworn to Justice

Sworn to Justice

Janna

1996
American Tigers

American Tigers

Herself

1996
Tiger Claws II

Tiger Claws II

Linda Masterson

1996
Eye for an Eye

Eye for an Eye

Tina

1996

Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities

Self

1995
Portrait in Red

Portrait in Red

Laurel

1995
Guardian Angel

Guardian Angel

Cynthia McKay

1994
Fast Getaway II

Fast Getaway II

Lilly

1994
Cinema of Vengeance

Cinema of Vengeance

Self

1994
Lady Dragon 2

Lady Dragon 2

Susan 'The Golden Angel' Morgan

1993
Rage and Honor II: Hostile Takeover

Rage and Honor II: Hostile Takeover

Kris Fairchild

1993
Irresistible Force

Irresistible Force

Charlotte Heller

1993
Undefeatable

Undefeatable

Kristi Jones

1993
Angel the Kickboxer

Angel the Kickboxer

Kristi Jones

1993
Honor and Glory

Honor and Glory

Tracey Pride

1992
Lady Dragon

Lady Dragon

Kathy Galagher

1992
Rage and Honor

Rage and Honor

Kris Fairchild

1992
Angel Of Fury

Angel Of Fury

Nancy Bolan

1992
Martial Law II: Undercover

Martial Law II: Undercover

Billie Blake

1991
Tiger Claws

Tiger Claws

Linda Masterson

1991
Fast Getaway

Fast Getaway

Lilly

1991
Tiada Titik Balik

Tiada Titik Balik

Kathy

1991
Martial Law

Martial Law

Billie Blake

1990
Prince of the Sun

Prince of the Sun

Bencheuk

1990
China O'Brien II

China O'Brien II

China O'Brien

1990
China O'Brien

China O'Brien

China O'Brien

1990

No Witnesses

1990
City Cops

City Cops

Inspector Cindy

1989
Lady Reporter

Lady Reporter

Cindy

1989
The Inspector Wears Skirts

The Inspector Wears Skirts

Madam Law

1988
Jungle Heat

Jungle Heat

1988
No Retreat, No Surrender 2: Raging Thunder

No Retreat, No Surrender 2: Raging Thunder

Terry

1987
Fight to Win

Fight to Win

Sensei Lauren

1987
Righting Wrongs

Righting Wrongs

Senior Insp. Sandy Jones / Cindy Si

1986
Magic Crystal

Magic Crystal

Cindy Morgan

1986
Millionaires' Express

Millionaires' Express

Mountain Bandit

1986
Yes, Madam!

Yes, Madam!

Senior Inspector Carrie Morris

1985
Defend Yourself!

Defend Yourself!

Herself

1985
24 Hours to Midnight

24 Hours to Midnight

Devon Grady

1985