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