Cynthia Rothrock
Acting • Born 1957-03-08
Biography
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.
Filmography
92 credits
24 Hours to Midnight
Movie • 1985
Devon Grady
Re-Enter the 'New York Ninja'
Movie • 2021
Self
Undefeatable
Movie • 1993
Kristi Jones
Darkness of Man
Movie • 2025
Nurse Leslie
China O'Brien
Movie • 1990
China O'Brien
China O'Brien II
Movie • 1990
China O'Brien
Black Creek
Movie • 2024
Rose Jennings
Fast Getaway
Movie • 1991
Lilly
Portrait in Red
Movie • 1995
Laurel
No Retreat, No Surrender 2: Raging Thunder
Movie • 1987
Terry
Tiger Claws II
Movie • 1996
Linda Masterson
Martial Law II: Undercover
Movie • 1991
Billie Blake
Tiger Claws
Movie • 1991
Linda Masterson
Righting Wrongs
Movie • 1986
Senior Insp. Sandy Jones / Cindy Si
Rage and Honor II: Hostile Takeover
Movie • 1993
Kris Fairchild
Rage and Honor
Movie • 1992
Kris Fairchild
Martial Law
Movie • 1990
Billie Blake
Yes, Madam!
Movie • 1985
Senior Inspector Carrie Morris
Sci-Fighter
Movie • 2004
Sally Kirk / The White Dragon
Lady Dragon 2
Movie • 1993
Susan 'The Golden Angel' Morgan
Lady Dragon
Movie • 1992
Kathy Galagher
Buckle Up
Movie • 2023
Lady X
Prince of the Sun
Movie • 1990
Bencheuk
Fast Getaway II
Movie • 1994
Lilly
Honor and Glory
Movie • 1992
Tracey Pride
Sworn to Justice
Movie • 1996
Janna
Spirit2Power
Movie • 2014
Self
Lady Reporter
Movie • 1989
Cindy
Angel the Kickboxer
Movie • 1993
Kristi Jones
Cool Cat Saves the Kids
Movie • 2015
Momma Cat
American Tigers
Movie • 1996
Herself
Magic Crystal
Movie • 1986
Cindy Morgan
Outside the Law
Movie • 2002
Julie Cosgrove
The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!
Movie • 1997
Bertha Jo
Manhattan Chase
Movie • 2000
Nancy
City Cops
Movie • 1989
Inspector Cindy
Guardian Angel
Movie • 1994
Cynthia McKay
Tiger Claws III
Movie • 1999
Linda Masterson
Santa's Summer House
Movie • 2012
Nanna
Badass Showdown
Movie • 2013
Ivy
Angel Of Fury
Movie • 1992
Nancy Bolan
Redemption
Movie • 2002
Erin Murphy
Fight to Win
Movie • 1987
Sensei Lauren
Night Vision
Movie • 1997
Kristin O'Connor
Deep Cover
Movie • 1997
FBI Special Agent Kate Mason
Irresistible Force
Movie • 1993
Charlotte Heller
Eye for an Eye
Movie • 1996
Tina
Mercenaries
Movie • 2014
Mona
Fyre Rises
Movie • 2024
Commander Bodie
The Inspector Wears Skirts
Movie • 1988
Madam Law
Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities
Movie • 1995
Self
Millionaires' Express
Movie • 1986
Mountain Bandit
Operation Dagon
Movie
Prey of Wrath
Movie
Brenda Sands
The Martial Arts Kid
Movie • 2015
Cindy
Ryan Carson
Movie • 2022
Ally Watson
Showdown in Manila
Movie • 2016
Haines
Taken from Rio Bravo
Movie • 2024
Margaret
Lady Scorpions
Movie • 2024
Alena Moore
No Time To Think
Movie • 2024
Rachel Adams
The Last Kumite
Movie • 2024
Julie Jackson
Asian Ghost Story
Movie • 2016
American Expendables: The Films of North American Pictures
Movie • 2024
Self (archive footage)
Star Raiders: The Adventures of Saber Raine
Movie • 2017
Kandra Syn
Jungle Heat
Movie • 1988
Defend Yourself!
Movie • 1985
Herself
Death Fighter
Movie • 2017
Valerie
Cool Cat Kids Superhero
Movie • 2018
Momma Cat
Fists of Fury
Movie • 2017
Self
Modern Warriors
Movie • 2002
Self
A Doggone Hollywood
Movie • 2017
Mom in Car
Masters of the Martial Arts Presented by Wesley Snipes
Movie • 1998
Self
Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece
Movie • 2018
Counter Attendant
No Witnesses
Movie • 1990
In Search of the Last Action Heroes
Movie • 2019
Self
The Art of Action: Martial Arts in the Movies
Movie • 2002
Self
Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks
Movie • 2019
Self
Cinema of Vengeance
Movie • 1994
Self
The Hostage
Movie • 1998
Agent Rebecca Peters
Lost Bullet
Movie • 2003
Cynthia
New York Ninja
Movie • 2021
Det. Janet Flores (voice)
Chinese Hercules: The Bolo Yeung Story
Movie
Self
Vendetta Vette
Movie
LaRue
Dying for Living
Movie • 2025
Sin
Tiada Titik Balik
Movie • 1991
Kathy
The Untold Story of No Retreat No Surrender
Movie • 2026
Self
Anadellia Rises
Movie
Priscilla Kasper
Through the Night with...
TV • 2002
Self
Eek! The Cat
TV • 1992
Cynthia Rothrock (voice)
Too Young to Die
TV • 2012
Self
The Art of Action
TV • 2020
Self
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
TV • 1995
Enforcer II