Cynthia Rothrock
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
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
Eek! The Cat
Through the Night with...
The Art of Action
New York Ninja
Millionaires' Express
Yes, Madam!
Eye for an Eye
All Movies (89)
- Black Creek: Retribution2027 · as Rose Jennings
- Жертва на гнева2026 · as Brenda Sands
- The Untold Story of No Retreat No Surrender2026 · as Self
- Dying for Living2025 · as Sin
- Darkness of Man2025 · as Nurse Leslie
- Black Creek2024 · as Rose Jennings
- Lady Scorpions2024 · as Alena Moore
- American Expendables: The Films of North American Pictures2024 · as Self (archive footage)
- The Last Kumite2024 · as Julie Jackson
- Fyre Rises2024 · as Commander Bodie
- Taken from Rio Bravo2024 · as Margaret
- No Time To Think2024 · as Rachel Adams
- Buckle Up2023 · as Lady X
- The Hanged Man: The Story of Ron Van Clief2023 · as Herself
- Ryan Carson2022 · as Ally Watson
- Re-Enter the 'New York Ninja'2021 · as Self
- New York Ninja2021 · as Det. Janet Flores (voice)
- In Search of the Last Action Heroes2019 · as Self
- Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks2019 · as Self
- Cool Cat Kids Superhero2018 · as Momma Cat
- Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece2018 · as Counter Attendant
- Death Fighter2017 · as Valerie
- Star Raiders: The Adventures of Saber Raine2017 · as Kandra Syn
- Fists of Fury2017 · as Self
- A Doggone Hollywood2017 · as Mom in Car
- Asian Ghost Story2016
- Showdown in Manila2016 · as Haines
- The Martial Arts Kid2015 · as Cindy
- Cool Cat Saves the Kids2015 · as Momma Cat
- Mercenaries2014 · as Mona
- Spirit2Power2014 · as Self
- Badass Showdown2013 · as Ivy
- Santa's Summer House2012 · as Nanna
- Sci-Fighter2004 · as Sally Kirk / The White Dragon
- Lost Bullet2003 · as Cynthia
- Modern Warriors2002 · as Self
- Outside the Law2002 · as Julie Cosgrove
- The Art of Action: Martial Arts in the Movies2002 · as Self
- Redemption2002 · as Erin Murphy
- Manhattan Chase2000 · as Nancy
- Tiger Claws III1999 · as Linda Masterson
- Masters of the Martial Arts Presented by Wesley Snipes1998 · as Self
- The Hostage1998 · as Agent Rebecca Peters
- Deep Cover1997 · as FBI Special Agent Kate Mason
- The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!1997 · as Bertha Jo
- Night Vision1997 · as Kristin O'Connor
- Sworn to Justice1996 · as Janna
- American Tigers1996 · as Herself
- Tiger Claws II1996 · as Linda Masterson
- Eye for an Eye1996 · as Tina
- Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities1995 · as Self
- Portrait in Red1995 · as Laurel
- Guardian Angel1994 · as Cynthia McKay
- Fast Getaway II1994 · as Lilly
- Cinema of Vengeance1994 · as Self
- Lady Dragon 21993 · as Susan 'The Golden Angel' Morgan
- Rage and Honor II: Hostile Takeover1993 · as Kris Fairchild
- Irresistible Force1993 · as Charlotte Heller
- Undefeatable1993 · as Kristi Jones
- Angel the Kickboxer1993 · as Kristi Jones
- Honor and Glory1992 · as Tracey Pride
- Lady Dragon1992 · as Kathy Galagher
- Rage and Honor1992 · as Kris Fairchild
- Angel Of Fury1992 · as Nancy Bolan
- Martial Law II: Undercover1991 · as Billie Blake
- Tiger Claws1991 · as Linda Masterson
- Fast Getaway1991 · as Lilly
- Tiada Titik Balik1991 · as Kathy
- Martial Law1990 · as Billie Blake
- Prince of the Sun1990 · as Bencheuk
- China O'Brien II1990 · as China O'Brien
- China O'Brien1990 · as China O'Brien
- No Witnesses1990
- City Cops1989 · as Inspector Cindy
- Lady Reporter1989 · as Cindy
- The Inspector Wears Skirts1988 · as Madam Law
- Jungle Heat1988
- No Retreat, No Surrender 2: Raging Thunder1987 · as Terry
- Fight to Win1987 · as Sensei Lauren
- Righting Wrongs1986 · as Senior Insp. Sandy Jones / Cindy Si
- Magic Crystal1986 · as Cindy Morgan
- Millionaires' Express1986 · as Mountain Bandit
- Yes, Madam!1985 · as Senior Inspector Carrie Morris
- Defend Yourself!1985 · as Herself
- 24 Hours to Midnight1985 · as Devon Grady
- Operation Dagon—
- Chinese Hercules: The Bolo Yeung Story— · as Self
- Vendetta Vette— · as LaRue
- Anadellia Rises— · as Priscilla Kasper
All TV Shows (5)
- The Art of Action2020 · as Self
- Too Young to Die2012 · as Self
- Through the Night with...2002 · as Self
- Hercules: The Legendary Journeys1995 · as Enforcer II
- Eek! The Cat1992 · as Cynthia Rothrock (voice)