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