Cynthia Rothrock
Rate Person

Cynthia Rothrock

Acting

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.

Films Featuring Cynthia Rothrock

24 Hours to Midnight

19854.4

Re-Enter the 'New York Ninja'

20215.7

Undefeatable

19935.3

Darkness of Man

20255.5

China O'Brien

19905.5

China O'Brien II

19905.0

Black Creek

20244.7

Fast Getaway

19915.9

Portrait in Red

19954.1

No Retreat, No Surrender 2: Raging Thunder

19876.0

Tiger Claws II

19965.0

Martial Law II: Undercover

19916.1

Tiger Claws

19915.5

Righting Wrongs

19867.6

Rage and Honor II: Hostile Takeover

19935.4

Rage and Honor

19925.1

Martial Law

19906.2

Yes, Madam!

19857.2

Sci-Fighter

20043.8

Lady Dragon 2

19934.9

Lady Dragon

19925.4

Buckle Up

20232.0

Prince of the Sun

19905.1

Fast Getaway II

19944.9

Honor and Glory

19924.4

Sworn to Justice

19965.3

Spirit2Power

2014

Lady Reporter

19896.5

Angel the Kickboxer

1993

Cool Cat Saves the Kids

20153.3

American Tigers

19964.0

Magic Crystal

19866.6

Outside the Law

20024.3

The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!

19975.4

Manhattan Chase

20005.6

City Cops

19895.6

Guardian Angel

19944.7

Tiger Claws III

19994.2

Santa's Summer House

20123.9

Badass Showdown

20132.2

Angel Of Fury

19923.8

Redemption

20026.2

Fight to Win

19875.5

Night Vision

19975.4

Deep Cover

19974.7

Irresistible Force

19935.4

Eye for an Eye

19966.3

Mercenaries

20145.1

Fyre Rises

20245.4

The Inspector Wears Skirts

19886.2

Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities

Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities

199510.0

Millionaires' Express

19866.7

Operation Dagon

Operation Dagon

Prey of Wrath

2026

The Martial Arts Kid

20156.2

Ryan Carson

2022

Showdown in Manila

20163.4

Taken from Rio Bravo

20246.8

Lady Scorpions

20245.8

No Time To Think

2024

The Last Kumite

20246.8

Asian Ghost Story

20164.3

American Expendables: The Films of North American Pictures

20245.0

Star Raiders: The Adventures of Saber Raine

20173.8

Jungle Heat

19883.3

Defend Yourself!

198510.0

Death Fighter

20176.6

Cool Cat Kids Superhero

20181.2

Fists of Fury

2017

Modern Warriors

20025.5

A Doggone Hollywood

20174.3

Masters of the Martial Arts Presented by Wesley Snipes

19989.0

Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece

20183.9

No Witnesses

No Witnesses

199010.0

In Search of the Last Action Heroes

20197.0

The Art of Action: Martial Arts in the Movies

20025.9

Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks

20196.8

Cinema of Vengeance

19946.2

The Hostage

19985.5

Lost Bullet

20035.3

New York Ninja

20214.9

Chinese Hercules: The Bolo Yeung Story

Vendetta Vette

Vendetta Vette

Dying for Living

2025

Tiada Titik Balik

1991

The Untold Story of No Retreat No Surrender

2026

Anadellia Rises

The Hanged Man: The Story of Ron Van Clief

20232.0

Black Creek: Retribution

2027

The Best of the Martial Arts Films

19908.8