Cynthia Rothrock
- Acting
- March 8, 1957 · 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
Filmography
- Black Creek: Retribution · Rose Jennings, Producer
- Prey of Wrath · Brenda Sands
- The Untold Story of No Retreat No Surrender · Self
- Dying for Living · Sin
- Darkness of Man · Nurse Leslie
- Black Creek · Rose Jennings, Writer
- Lady Scorpions · Alena Moore
- American Expendables: The Films of North American Pictures · Self
- The Last Kumite · Julie Jackson
- Fyre Rises · Commander Bodie
- Taken from Rio Bravo · Margaret
- No Time To Think · Rachel Adams
- Buckle Up · Lady X
- The Hanged Man: The Story of Ron Van Clief · Self
- Ryan Carson · Ally Watson
- Re-Enter the 'New York Ninja' · Self
- New York Ninja · Det. Janet Flores (Voice)
- The Art of Action · Self
- In Search of the Last Action Heroes · Self
- Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks · Self
- Cool Cat Kids Superhero · Momma Cat
- Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece · Counter Attendant
- Death Fighter · Valerie
- Star Raiders: The Adventures of Saber Raine · Kandra Syn
- Fists of Fury · Self
- A Doggone Hollywood · Mom in Car
- Asian Ghost Story
- Showdown in Manila · Haines
- The Martial Arts Kid · Cindy, Co-producer
- Cool Cat Saves the Kids · Momma Cat
- Mercenaries · Mona
- Spirit2Power · Self
- Badass Showdown · Ivy
- Santa's Summer House · Nanna
- Too Young to Die · Self
- Sci-Fighter · Sally Kirk / The White Dragon
- Lost Bullet · Cynthia
- Modern Warriors · Self
- Outside the Law · Julie Cosgrove, Executive producer
- The Art of Action: Martial Arts in the Movies · Self
- Redemption · Erin Murphy
- Through the Night with... · Self
- Manhattan Chase · Nancy
- Tiger Claws III · Linda Masterson
- Masters of the Martial Arts Presented by Wesley Snipes · Self
- The Hostage · Agent Rebecca Peters
- Deep Cover · FBI Special Agent Kate Mason
- The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion! · Bertha Jo
- Night Vision · Kristin O'Connor
- Sworn to Justice · Janna, Associate Producer
- American Tigers · Self
- Tiger Claws II · Linda Masterson
- Eye for an Eye · Tina
- Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities · Self
- Hercules: The Legendary Journeys · Enforcer II
- Portrait in Red · Laurel
- Guardian Angel · Cynthia McKay
- Fast Getaway II · Lilly
- Cinema of Vengeance · Self
- Lady Dragon 2 · Susan 'The Golden Angel' Morgan
- Rage and Honor II: Hostile Takeover · Kris Fairchild, Associate Producer
- Irresistible Force · Charlotte Heller
- Undefeatable · Kristi Jones
- Angel the Kickboxer · Kristi Jones
- Eek! The Cat · Cynthia Rothrock (Voice)
- Honor and Glory · Tracey Pride, Producer
- Lady Dragon · Kathy Galagher
- Rage and Honor · Kris Fairchild, Associate Producer
- Angel Of Fury · Nancy Bolan
- Martial Law II: Undercover · Billie Blake
- Tiger Claws · Linda Masterson
- Fast Getaway · Lilly
- Tiada Titik Balik · Kathy
- Martial Law · Billie Blake
- Prince of the Sun · Bencheuk
- The Word
- China O'Brien II · China O'Brien
- China O'Brien · China O'Brien
- No Witnesses
- The Best of the Martial Arts Films · Self