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