Cynthia Rothrock
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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
Credits
Eye for an Eye (1996)
as Tina
Millionaires' Express (1986)
as Mountain Bandit
Martial Law II: Undercover (1991)
as Billie Blake
Righting Wrongs (1986)
as Senior Insp. Sandy Jones / Cindy Si
Darkness of Man (2025)
as Nurse Leslie
Vendetta Vette (—)
as LaRue
Yes, Madam! (1985)
as Senior Inspector Carrie Morris
The Inspector Wears Skirts (1988)
as Madam Law
No Retreat, No Surrender 2: Raging Thunder (1987)
as Terry
The Untold Story of No Retreat No Surrender (2026)
as Self
Taken from Rio Bravo (2024)
as Margaret
Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks (2019)
as Self
Mercenaries (2014)
as Mona
Undefeatable (1993)
as Kristi Jones
Magic Crystal (1986)
as Cindy Morgan
Martial Law (1990)
as Billie Blake
Lady Reporter (1989)
as Cindy
Prince of the Sun (1990)
as Bencheuk
Guardian Angel (1994)
as Cynthia McKay
Lady Scorpions (2024)
as Alena Moore
Badass Showdown (2013)
as Ivy
Dying for Living (2025)
as Sin
Sworn to Justice (1996)
as Janna
Jungle Heat (1988)
Actor
Lost Bullet (2003)
as Cynthia
Honor and Glory (1992)
as Tracey Pride
Deep Cover (1997)
as FBI Special Agent Kate Mason
The Last Kumite (2024)
as Julie Jackson
The Art of Action: Martial Arts in the Movies (2002)
as Self
Outside the Law (2002)
as Julie Cosgrove
Anadellia Rises (—)
as Priscilla Kasper
Tiger Claws II (1996)
as Linda Masterson
Rage and Honor II: Hostile Takeover (1993)
as Kris Fairchild
Cinema of Vengeance (1994)
as Self
Showdown in Manila (2016)
as Haines
Angel Of Fury (1992)
as Nancy Bolan
Lady Dragon 2 (1993)
as Susan 'The Golden Angel' Morgan
Tiger Claws (1991)
as Linda Masterson
City Cops (1989)
as Inspector Cindy
Rage and Honor (1992)
as Kris Fairchild
Prey of Wrath (2026)
as Brenda Sands
New York Ninja (2021)
as Det. Janet Flores (voice)
China O'Brien (1990)
as China O'Brien
Fast Getaway (1991)
as Lilly
China O'Brien II (1990)
as China O'Brien
A Doggone Hollywood (2017)
as Mom in Car
Black Creek: Retribution (2027)
as Rose Jennings
Fast Getaway II (1994)
as Lilly
The Martial Arts Kid (2015)
as Cindy
Tiger Claws III (1999)
as Linda Masterson
Lady Dragon (1992)
as Kathy Galagher
Cool Cat Kids Superhero (2018)
as Momma Cat
Tiada Titik Balik (1991)
as Kathy
Portrait in Red (1995)
as Laurel
Asian Ghost Story (2016)
Actor
American Tigers (1996)
as Herself
The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion! (1997)
as Bertha Jo
Sci-Fighter (2004)
as Sally Kirk / The White Dragon
Modern Warriors (2002)
as Self
In Search of the Last Action Heroes (2019)
as Self
Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece (2018)
as Counter Attendant
Angel the Kickboxer (1993)
as Kristi Jones
No Witnesses (1990)
Actor
Night Vision (1997)
as Kristin O'Connor
Black Creek (2024)
as Rose Jennings
Chinese Hercules: The Bolo Yeung Story (—)
as Self
Defend Yourself! (1985)
as Herself
Death Fighter (2017)
as Valerie
Irresistible Force (1993)
as Charlotte Heller
24 Hours to Midnight (1985)
as Devon Grady
Fyre Rises (2024)
as Commander Bodie
Buckle Up (2023)
as Lady X
Santa's Summer House (2012)
as Nanna
Fists of Fury (2017)
as Self
American Expendables: The Films of North American Pictures (2024)
as Self (archive footage)
Star Raiders: The Adventures of Saber Raine (2017)
as Kandra Syn
Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities (1995)
as Self
Redemption (2002)
as Erin Murphy
Re-Enter the 'New York Ninja' (2021)
as Self
Fight to Win (1987)
as Sensei Lauren
The Hanged Man: The Story of Ron Van Clief (2023)
as Herself
Cool Cat Saves the Kids (2015)
as Momma Cat
The Hostage (1998)
as Agent Rebecca Peters
Masters of the Martial Arts Presented by Wesley Snipes (1998)
as Self
Manhattan Chase (2000)
as Nancy
Ryan Carson (2022)
as Ally Watson
Operation Dagon (—)
Actor
No Time To Think (2024)
as Rachel Adams
Spirit2Power (2014)
as Self