Cynthia Rothrock
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- March 8, 1957 (age 69)
- Birthplace
- Wilmington, Delaware, USA
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.
Known For
Photos
Filmography
Operation Dagon
Movie
Chinese Hercules: The Bolo Yeung Story
Movie · as Self
Vendetta Vette
Movie · as LaRue
Anadellia Rises
Movie · as Priscilla Kasper
Inmates
Movie
Black Creek: Retribution
Movie · as Rose Jennings
Prey of Wrath
Movie · as Brenda Sands
The Untold Story of No Retreat No Surrender
Movie · as Self
She's So Hot
Movie · as Sensei
Darkness of Man
Movie · as Nurse Leslie
Dying for Living
Movie · as Sin
Black Creek
Movie · as Rose Jennings
Fyre Rises
Movie · as Commander Bodie
Taken from Rio Bravo
Movie · as Margaret
Lady Scorpions
Movie · as Alena Moore
No Time To Think
Movie · as Rachel Adams
The Last Kumite
Movie · as Julie Jackson
American Expendables: The Films of North American Pictures
Movie · as Self (archive footage)
Buckle Up
Movie · as Lady X
The Hanged Man: The Story of Ron Van Clief
Movie · as Herself
Ryan Carson
Movie · as Ally Watson
Re-Enter the 'New York Ninja'
Movie · as Self
New York Ninja
Movie · as Det. Janet Flores (voice)
The Art of Action
TV · as Self · 1 ep
In Search of the Last Action Heroes
Movie · as Self
Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks
Movie · as Self
Cool Cat Kids Superhero
Movie · as Momma Cat
Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece
Movie · as Counter Attendant
Star Raiders: The Adventures of Saber Raine
Movie · as Kandra Syn
Death Fighter
Movie · as Valerie
Fists of Fury
Movie · as Self
A Doggone Hollywood
Movie · as Mom in Car
Showdown in Manila
Movie · as Haines
Asian Ghost Story
Movie
Cool Cat Saves the Kids
Movie · as Momma Cat
The Martial Arts Kid
Movie · as Cindy
Spirit2Power
Movie · as Self
Mercenaries
Movie · as Mona
Badass Showdown
Movie · as Ivy
Santa's Summer House
Movie · as Nanna
Too Young to Die
TV · as Self · 1 ep
Sci-Fighter
Movie · as Sally Kirk / The White Dragon
Lost Bullet
Movie · as Cynthia
Outside the Law
Movie · as Julie Cosgrove
Redemption
Movie · as Erin Murphy
Modern Warriors
Movie · as Self
The Art of Action: Martial Arts in the Movies
Movie · as Self
Through the Night with...
TV · as Self · 1 ep
Manhattan Chase
Movie · as Nancy
Tiger Claws III
Movie · as Linda Masterson
Masters of the Martial Arts Presented by Wesley Snipes
Movie · as Self
The Hostage
Movie · as Agent Rebecca Peters
The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!
Movie · as Bertha Jo
Deep Cover
Movie · as FBI Special Agent Kate Mason
Night Vision
Movie · as Kristin O'Connor
Tiger Claws II
Movie · as Linda Masterson
Sworn to Justice
Movie · as Janna
American Tigers
Movie · as Herself
Eye for an Eye
Movie · as Tina
Portrait in Red
Movie · as Laurel
Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities
Movie · as Self
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
TV · as Enforcer II · 1 ep
Fast Getaway II
Movie · as Lilly
Guardian Angel
Movie · as Cynthia McKay
Cinema of Vengeance
Movie · as Self
Undefeatable
Movie · as Kristi Jones
Rage and Honor II: Hostile Takeover
Movie · as Kris Fairchild
Lady Dragon 2
Movie · as Susan 'The Golden Angel' Morgan
Angel the Kickboxer
Movie · as Kristi Jones
Irresistible Force
Movie · as Charlotte Heller
Rage and Honor
Movie · as Kris Fairchild
Lady Dragon
Movie · as Kathy Galagher
Honor and Glory
Movie · as Tracey Pride
Angel Of Fury
Movie · as Nancy Bolan
Eek! The Cat
TV · as Cynthia Rothrock (voice) · 1 ep
Fast Getaway
Movie · as Lilly
Martial Law II: Undercover
Movie · as Billie Blake
Tiger Claws
Movie · as Linda Masterson
Tiada Titik Balik
Movie · as Kathy
China O'Brien
Movie · as China O'Brien
China O'Brien II
Movie · as China O'Brien
Martial Law
Movie · as Billie Blake
Prince of the Sun
Movie · as Bencheuk
No Witnesses
Movie
The Best of the Martial Arts Films
Movie · as Self
The Word
TV · 1 ep
Lady Reporter
Movie · as Cindy
City Cops
Movie · as Inspector Cindy
The Inspector Wears Skirts
Movie · as Madam Law
Jungle Heat
Movie
No Retreat, No Surrender 2: Raging Thunder
Movie · as Terry
Fight to Win
Movie · as Sensei Lauren
Righting Wrongs
Movie · as Senior Insp. Sandy Jones / Cindy Si
Magic Crystal
Movie · as Cindy Morgan
Millionaires' Express
Movie · as Mountain Bandit
24 Hours to Midnight
Movie · as Devon Grady
Yes, Madam!
Movie · as Senior Inspector Carrie Morris
Defend Yourself!
Movie · as Herself