Cynthia Rothrock
Cynthia Rothrock

Cynthia Rothrock

Born: March 8, 1957 (69 years)
Wilmington, Delaware, USA

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.

Movies as Actor (89)
Black Creek: Retribution

Black Creek: Retribution

as Rose Jennings

Jun 18, 2027

Жертва на гнева

Жертва на гнева

as Brenda Sands

May 1, 2026

The Untold Story of No Retreat No Surrender

The Untold Story of No Retreat No Surrender

as Self

Jan 24, 2026

Dying for Living

Dying for Living

as Sin

Dec 30, 2025

Darkness of Man

Darkness of Man

as Nurse Leslie

Dec 18, 2025

Black Creek

Black Creek

as Rose Jennings

Oct 9, 2024

Lady Scorpions

Lady Scorpions

as Alena Moore

Aug 23, 2024

American Expendables: The Films of North American Pictures

American Expendables: The Films of North American Pictures

as Self (archive footage)

Aug 13, 2024

The Last Kumite

The Last Kumite

as Julie Jackson

May 9, 2024

Fyre Rises

Fyre Rises

as Commander Bodie

Apr 25, 2024

Taken from Rio Bravo

Taken from Rio Bravo

as Margaret

Feb 23, 2024

No Time To Think

No Time To Think

as Rachel Adams

Jan 13, 2024

Buckle Up

Buckle Up

as Lady X

Jul 6, 2023

The Hanged Man: The Story of Ron Van Clief

The Hanged Man: The Story of Ron Van Clief

as Herself

Jan 1, 2023

Ryan Carson

Ryan Carson

as Ally Watson

Nov 11, 2022

Re-Enter the 'New York Ninja'

Re-Enter the 'New York Ninja'

as Self

Oct 2, 2021

New York Ninja

New York Ninja

as Det. Janet Flores (voice)

Oct 2, 2021

In Search of the Last Action Heroes

In Search of the Last Action Heroes

as Self

Sep 1, 2019

Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks

Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks

as Self

Aug 14, 2019

Cool Cat Kids Superhero

Cool Cat Kids Superhero

as Momma Cat

Sep 16, 2018

Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece

Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece

as Counter Attendant

May 25, 2018

Death Fighter

Death Fighter

as Valerie

Jul 25, 2017

Star Raiders: The Adventures of Saber Raine

Star Raiders: The Adventures of Saber Raine

as Kandra Syn

May 8, 2017

Fists of Fury

Fists of Fury

as Self

Jan 20, 2017

A Doggone Hollywood

A Doggone Hollywood

as Mom in Car

Jan 6, 2017

Asian Ghost Story

Asian Ghost Story

Oct 31, 2016

Showdown in Manila

Showdown in Manila

as Haines

Feb 18, 2016

The Martial Arts Kid

The Martial Arts Kid

as Cindy

Apr 11, 2015

Cool Cat Saves the Kids

Cool Cat Saves the Kids

as Momma Cat

Feb 1, 2015

Mercenaries

Mercenaries

as Mona

Aug 5, 2014

Spirit2Power

Spirit2Power

as Self

Jun 30, 2014

Badass Showdown

Badass Showdown

as Ivy

Apr 1, 2013

Santa's Summer House

Santa's Summer House

as Nanna

Dec 11, 2012

Sci-Fighter

Sci-Fighter

as Sally Kirk / The White Dragon

Jan 1, 2004

Lost Bullet

Lost Bullet

as Cynthia

Oct 1, 2003

Modern Warriors

Modern Warriors

as Self

Aug 20, 2002

Outside the Law

Outside the Law

as Julie Cosgrove

Jun 25, 2002

The Art of Action: Martial Arts in the Movies

The Art of Action: Martial Arts in the Movies

as Self

Jun 1, 2002

Redemption

Redemption

as Erin Murphy

May 28, 2002

Manhattan Chase

Manhattan Chase

as Nancy

Nov 20, 2000

Tiger Claws III

Tiger Claws III

as Linda Masterson

May 12, 1999

Masters of the Martial Arts Presented by Wesley Snipes

Masters of the Martial Arts Presented by Wesley Snipes

as Self

Aug 18, 1998

The Hostage

The Hostage

as Agent Rebecca Peters

Jan 1, 1998

Deep Cover

Deep Cover

as FBI Special Agent Kate Mason

Apr 28, 1997

The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!

The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!

as Bertha Jo

Apr 25, 1997

Night Vision

Night Vision

as Kristin O'Connor

Feb 28, 1997

Sworn to Justice

Sworn to Justice

as Janna

Oct 1, 1996

American Tigers

American Tigers

as Herself

Sep 18, 1996

Tiger Claws II

Tiger Claws II

as Linda Masterson

May 25, 1996

Eye for an Eye

Eye for an Eye

as Tina

Jan 12, 1996

Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities

Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities

as Self

Aug 28, 1995

Portrait in Red

Portrait in Red

as Laurel

Jan 1, 1995

Guardian Angel

Guardian Angel

as Cynthia McKay

Nov 14, 1994

Fast Getaway II

Fast Getaway II

as Lilly

Jun 23, 1994

Cinema of Vengeance

Cinema of Vengeance

as Self

Jan 1, 1994

Lady Dragon 2

Lady Dragon 2

as Susan 'The Golden Angel' Morgan

Sep 22, 1993

Rage and Honor II: Hostile Takeover

Rage and Honor II: Hostile Takeover

as Kris Fairchild

Jun 23, 1993

Irresistible Force

Irresistible Force

as Charlotte Heller

May 7, 1993

Undefeatable

Undefeatable

as Kristi Jones

Mar 5, 1993

Angel the Kickboxer

Angel the Kickboxer

as Kristi Jones

Jan 13, 1993

Honor and Glory

Honor and Glory

as Tracey Pride

Jul 15, 1992

Lady Dragon

Lady Dragon

as Kathy Galagher

May 15, 1992

Rage and Honor

Rage and Honor

as Kris Fairchild

May 8, 1992

Angel Of Fury

Angel Of Fury

as Nancy Bolan

Jan 24, 1992

Martial Law II: Undercover

Martial Law II: Undercover

as Billie Blake

Oct 1, 1991

Tiger Claws

Tiger Claws

as Linda Masterson

Aug 30, 1991

Fast Getaway

Fast Getaway

as Lilly

Mar 14, 1991

Tiada Titik Balik

Tiada Titik Balik

as Kathy

Jan 1, 1991

Martial Law

Martial Law

as Billie Blake

Oct 1, 1990

Prince of the Sun

Prince of the Sun

as Bencheuk

Sep 24, 1990

China O'Brien II

China O'Brien II

as China O'Brien

Jun 1, 1990

China O'Brien

China O'Brien

as China O'Brien

Feb 1, 1990

No Witnesses

No Witnesses

Jan 1, 1990

City Cops

City Cops

as Inspector Cindy

Nov 18, 1989

Lady Reporter

Lady Reporter

as Cindy

Apr 1, 1989

The Inspector Wears Skirts

The Inspector Wears Skirts

as Madam Law

Jun 3, 1988

Jungle Heat

Jungle Heat

May 6, 1988

No Retreat, No Surrender 2: Raging Thunder

No Retreat, No Surrender 2: Raging Thunder

as Terry

Nov 5, 1987

Fight to Win

Fight to Win

as Sensei Lauren

Mar 17, 1987

Righting Wrongs

Righting Wrongs

as Senior Insp. Sandy Jones / Cindy Si

Nov 27, 1986

Magic Crystal

Magic Crystal

as Cindy Morgan

Sep 17, 1986

Millionaires' Express

Millionaires' Express

as Mountain Bandit

Jan 30, 1986

Yes, Madam!

Yes, Madam!

as Senior Inspector Carrie Morris

Nov 30, 1985

Defend Yourself!

Defend Yourself!

as Herself

Nov 1, 1985

24 Hours to Midnight

24 Hours to Midnight

as Devon Grady

Jan 1, 1985

Operation Dagon

Operation Dagon

Chinese Hercules: The Bolo Yeung Story

Chinese Hercules: The Bolo Yeung Story

as Self

Vendetta Vette

Vendetta Vette

as LaRue

Anadellia Rises

Anadellia Rises

as Priscilla Kasper