Acting · Wilmington, Delaware, USA · Born March 8, 1957
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.
MovieBlack Creek: Retribution
2027
as Rose Jennings
MoviePrey of Wrath
2026
as Brenda Sands
MovieThe Untold Story of No Retreat No Surrender
2026
as Self
MovieDying for Living
2025
as Sin
MovieDarkness of Man
2025
as Nurse Leslie
MovieBlack Creek
2024
as Rose Jennings
MovieLady Scorpions
2024
as Alena Moore
MovieAmerican Expendables: The Films of North American Pictures
2024
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Last Kumite
2024
as Julie Jackson
MovieFyre Rises
2024
as Commander Bodie
MovieTaken from Rio Bravo
2024
as Margaret
MovieNo Time To Think
2024
as Rachel Adams
MovieBuckle Up
2023
as Lady X
MovieThe Hanged Man: The Story of Ron Van Clief
2023
as Herself
MovieRyan Carson
2022
as Ally Watson
MovieRe-Enter the 'New York Ninja'
2021
as Self
MovieNew York Ninja
2021
as Det. Janet Flores (voice)
TVThe Art of Action
2020
as Self
MovieIn Search of the Last Action Heroes
2019
as Self
MovieIron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks
2019
as Self
MovieCool Cat Kids Superhero
2018
as Momma Cat
MovieFury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece
2018
as Counter Attendant
MovieDeath Fighter
2017
as Valerie
MovieStar Raiders: The Adventures of Saber Raine
2017
as Kandra Syn
MovieFists of Fury
2017
as Self
MovieA Doggone Hollywood
2017
as Mom in Car
MovieAsian Ghost Story
2016
MovieShowdown in Manila
2016
as Haines
MovieThe Martial Arts Kid
2015
as Cindy
MovieCool Cat Saves the Kids
2015
as Momma Cat
MovieMercenaries
2014
as Mona
MovieSpirit2Power
2014
as Self
MovieBadass Showdown
2013
as Ivy
MovieSanta's Summer House
2012
as Nanna
TVToo Young to Die
2012
as Self
MovieSci-Fighter
2004
as Sally Kirk / The White Dragon
MovieLost Bullet
2003
as Cynthia
MovieModern Warriors
2002
as Self
MovieOutside the Law
2002
as Julie Cosgrove
MovieThe Art of Action: Martial Arts in the Movies
2002
as Self
MovieRedemption
2002
as Erin Murphy
TVThrough the Night with...
2002
as Self
MovieManhattan Chase
2000
as Nancy
MovieTiger Claws III
1999
as Linda Masterson
MovieMasters of the Martial Arts Presented by Wesley Snipes
1998
as Self
MovieThe Hostage
1998
as Agent Rebecca Peters
MovieDeep Cover
1997
as FBI Special Agent Kate Mason
MovieThe Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!
1997
as Bertha Jo
MovieNight Vision
1997
as Kristin O'Connor
MovieSworn to Justice
1996
as Janna
MovieAmerican Tigers
1996
as Herself
MovieTiger Claws II
1996
as Linda Masterson
MovieEye for an Eye
1996
as Tina
Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities
1995
as Self
TVHercules: The Legendary Journeys
1995
as Enforcer II
MoviePortrait in Red
1995
as Laurel
MovieGuardian Angel
1994
as Cynthia McKay
MovieFast Getaway II
1994
as Lilly
MovieCinema of Vengeance
1994
as Self
MovieLady Dragon 2
1993
as Susan 'The Golden Angel' Morgan
MovieRage and Honor II: Hostile Takeover
1993
as Kris Fairchild
MovieIrresistible Force
1993
as Charlotte Heller
MovieUndefeatable
1993
as Kristi Jones
MovieAngel the Kickboxer
1993
as Kristi Jones
TVEek! The Cat
1992
as Cynthia Rothrock (voice)
MovieHonor and Glory
1992
as Tracey Pride
MovieLady Dragon
1992
as Kathy Galagher
MovieRage and Honor
1992
as Kris Fairchild
MovieAngel Of Fury
1992
as Nancy Bolan
MovieMartial Law II: Undercover
1991
as Billie Blake
MovieTiger Claws
1991
as Linda Masterson
MovieFast Getaway
1991
as Lilly
MovieTiada Titik Balik
1991
as Kathy
MovieMartial Law
1990
as Billie Blake
MoviePrince of the Sun
1990
as Bencheuk
TVThe Word
1990
MovieChina O'Brien II
1990
as China O'Brien
MovieChina O'Brien
1990
as China O'Brien
No Witnesses
1990
MovieCity Cops
1989
as Inspector Cindy
MovieLady Reporter
1989
as Cindy
MovieThe Inspector Wears Skirts
1988
as Madam Law
MovieJungle Heat
1988
MovieNo Retreat, No Surrender 2: Raging Thunder
1987
as Terry
MovieFight to Win
1987
as Sensei Lauren
MovieRighting Wrongs
1986
as Senior Insp. Sandy Jones / Cindy Si
MovieMagic Crystal
1986
as Cindy Morgan
MovieMillionaires' Express
1986
as Mountain Bandit
MovieYes, Madam!
1985
as Senior Inspector Carrie Morris
MovieDefend Yourself!
1985
as Herself
Movie24 Hours to Midnight
1985
as Devon Grady
Operation Dagon
MovieChinese Hercules: The Bolo Yeung Story
as Self
Vendetta Vette
as LaRue
MovieAnadellia Rises
as Priscilla Kasper
