Cynthia Rothrock: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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*8th Degree Black Belt in [[Tang Soo Do]]

*Black Belt in [[Taekwondo]]

*Black belt in [[~~Eagle Claw~~Karate]]

*Black Belt in [[Eagle Claw]]

*Black Belt in [[Wushu (sport)|Wu Shu]]

*Black Belt in [[~~Northern Shaolin kung fu|~~Northern Shaolin]]

*Black Belt in Pai Lum Tao Kung Fu

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'''Cynthia Rothrock''' is an American [[martial arts|martial artist]] and actress best known for her [[martial arts film]]s. 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]].<ref name="auto">{{cite web |title=2014 International Sports Hall of Fame Inductees |url=https://sportshof.org/2014-hall-of-fame/ |website=www.sportshof.org |author=Dr. Robert Goldman | date=March 11, 2014 | access-date=July 14, 2023}}</ref> In 2016, [[Martial Arts History Museum]] bestowed Rothrock the official title of '''The Queen Of Martial Arts'''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mamuseum.cms.ipressroom.com/news/queen-of-martial-arts-title-bestowed-to-cynthia-rothrock-by-martial-arts-museum|title=Queen of Martial Arts Title bestowed to Cynthia Rothrock by Martial Arts Museum | Martial Arts Museum|website=mamuseum.cms.ipressroom.com}}</ref>

Born in [[Delaware]], Rothrock made her acting debut in the Hong Kong action film ''[[Yes, Madam (1985 film)|Yes, Madam]]'' (1985), alongside [[Michelle Yeoh]]. She went on to ~~appear~~star in several Hong Kong action films, such as ~~a supporting actress, including~~ ''[[Millionaires Express]]'', opposite [[Sammo Hung]], ''[[The Magic Crystal]]'', alongside [[Andy Lau]], ''[[Righting Wrongs]]'', alongside [[Yuen Biao]] (all 1986), ''[[No Retreat, No Surrender 2]]'' (1987), opposite [[Hwang Jang-lee]], and ''[[The Inspector Wears Skirts]]'' (1988), alongside [[Sibelle Hu]].

~~She returned to~~In the US1990s, ~~and in the 1990s,~~Rothrock co-starred with [[Richard Norton (actor)|Richard Norton]] in three martial arts films: ''[[China O'Brien]]'', ''[[China O'Brien II]]'' and ''[[Lady Dragon]]'' (all 1990). She also starred in the American action film ''[[Martial Law (1991 film)|Martial Law]]'', opposite [[David Carradine]], and its sequel, ''[[Martial Law 2: Undercover]]'' (both 1991). She had further starring roles in ''[[Tiger Claws]]'' (1991), opposite [[Bolo Yeung]], ''[[Irresistible Force (film)|Irresistible Force]]'' (1993), alongside [[Stacy Keach]], ''[[Undefeatable]]'', ~~and~~ ''[[Fast Getaway II]]'' (both 1994) and the American psychological thriller film ''[[Eye for an Eye (1996 film)|Eye for an Eye]]'' (1996).

==Early life==

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==Career==

===Martial arts===

Rothrock was World Champion in [[~~Hyeong~~Hyung|forms]] and weapons five times between 1981 and 1985.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cagle |first1=Jess |last2=Parisi |first2=Paula |date=August 9, 1991 |title=Cynthia Rothrock: Action star |url=https://ew.com/article/1991/08/09/cynthia-rothrock-action-star/ |language=en |work=[[EW.com]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122063135/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,315130,00.html |archive-date=January 22, 2008 |access-date=March 29, 2020}}</ref><ref>Schubart (2014), p.145</ref> These categories are not combat-oriented, being displays of fluidity of movement rather than fighting, and are not segregated into male and female categories but fully open to both sexes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Castinado |first1=Marian K. |date=1996 |title=Kungfu's Screen Queen - Cynthia Rothrock |url=http://www.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/index.php?p=magazine&article=59 |url-status=live |work=[[Kung Fu Tai Chi|Kung Fu Magazine]] |language=en |publisher=TC Media |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610050335/http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=59 |archive-date=June 10, 2011 |access-date=March 29, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Meisler |first1=Andy |date=July 3, 1994 |title=The Biggest Star You Never Heard Of |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/03/movies/television-the-biggest-star-you-never-heard-of.html |department=Television |journal=[[The New York Times]] |language=en |page=21 |issn=0362-4331 |oclc=1645522}}</ref>

Rothrock took first place in forms 32 times and first place in weapons 12 times in her first 38 tournaments, including competing in "Men's Forms" three out of four times, as there was no Women's Division. She was "Grand Master" of five tournaments and came in first place in 4 out of 5 fighting events.<ref name="BB1978">{{Cite magazine |last=Zimmerman |first=Richard |title=Focussing energies with Kung Fu| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KNQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA44 |magazine=[[Black Belt (magazine)|Black Belt]] |volume=17 |date=November 1978 |publisher=Active Interest Media, Inc. |location=Los Angeles, California |pages=45–49 |issue=11 |issn=0277-3066}}</ref>

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Rothrock holds seven black belts and sashes in multiple Far Eastern [[martial arts|martial disciplines]], including [[Tang Soo Do]], [[Taekwondo]] (Korean), [[Eagle Claw]] (Chinese), [[Wushu (sport)|Wushu]], [[Northern Shaolin]], Ng Ying Kungfu (Chinese: 五形功夫) and Pai Lum White Dragon Kung Fu.<ref name="BB1992"/><ref name="Ollhoff2010">{{cite book |last1=Ollhoff |first1=Jim |date=2008 |chapter=Cynthia Rothrock |editor1-last=Hamilton |editor1-first=John |title=Martial Arts Movies |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/martialartsmovie0000ollh/page/16 |series=World of Martial Arts) |language=en |publisher=ABDO |pages=16–17 |isbn=9781599289809}}</ref> She received her 6th degree black belt in Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan in 2006. She was tested by Grand Master Robert Kovaleski, 9th Dan and chair of the I.T.M.A., and was later promoted by him to 7th degree black belt in 2011 and 8th degree black belt in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldwidedojo.com/traditional-based/martial-arts-news/kovaleski-promoted-to-8th-degree |title=Kovaleski Promoted to 8th Degree Black Belt in Seoul, South Korea |date=2011 |department=In The News |website=World Wide Dojo |language=en |access-date=March 30, 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209194024/http://www.worldwidedojo.com/traditional-based/martial-arts-news/kovaleski-promoted-to-8th-degree |archive-date=February 9, 2013}}</ref> She is a martial arts instructor and her favorite weapons are the [[hook sword]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.a3upodcast.com/node/151 |title=A3U Podcast.com – Cynthia Rothrock Episode |publisher=A3U Podcast.com |accessdate=February 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311135107/http://www.a3upodcast.com/node/151 |archive-date=March 11, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1983, Rothrock was inducted into the ''[[Black Belt (magazine)|Black Belt Magazine]]'' Hall of Fame as "Female Competitor of the Year."<ref name="BB1992"/> She was the first woman to appear on the cover of a martial arts magazine, and in 1986, co-authored a book with [[George Chung]] titled, ''Advanced Dynamic Kicks''.<ref name="ChungRothrock1986">{{cite book |last1=Chung |first1=George |last2=Rothrock |first2=Cynthia |editor1-last=Lee |editor1-first=Mike |title=Advanced Dynamic Kicks |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uv-ZDQtEnDUC |date= March 1, 1986 |publisher=Ohara |location=Santa Clarita, California |isbn=9780897501293}}</ref><ref name="RanceRance2005"/> In 2014, she was honored with the Legacy Award at the Urban Action Showcase & Expo at HBO.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=https://www.urbanactionshowcase.com/uflhoh-2014.html |title=UFLHOH 2014 - 2014 Honorees |website=Urban Action Showcase & Expo |access-date=March 30, 2020 }}</ref> In 2016, she was inducted into the ''International Sports Hall of Fame'' by [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] and Dr. Robert Goldman.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bio Cynthia Roth 2014 – ISHOF {{!}} International Sports Hall of Fame {{!}} United States |url=https://sportshof.org/bio-cynthia-roth-2014/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2022, Rothrock received the ''Martial Arts SuperShow'' "Lifetime Achievement Award" in Las Vegas. Past recipients have included [[Chuck Norris]], [[Fumio Demura]], [[Benny Urquidez|Benny “The Jet” Urquidez]] and former Navy SEAL [[Marcus Luttrell]], among others.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 - Legacy |url=https://www.masupershow.com/legacy |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=www.masupershow.com |language=en}}</ref>

Rothrock made history by becoming the inaugural woman to grace the cover of ''Karate Illustrated'' (August 1981)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Entertainment |first=Martial Arts |date=2011-10-11 |title=Cynthia Rothrock: The Reigning Queen of Action Films |url=https://www.martialartsentertainment.com/cynthia-rothrock-the-reigning-queen-of-action-films/ |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=Martial Arts & Action Entertainment |language=en-US}}</ref> and holds the distinction of being the first woman featured on the cover three times in the magazine's history''.''<ref>{{Cite news |date=1987-10-25 |title=Cynthia Rothrock 1987 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-leader-cynthia-rothrock-1987/25393977/ |access-date=2024-03-05 |work=The Times Leader |pages=51}}</ref>

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===Acting===

In 1983, while Rothrock was on [[Ernie Reyes, Sr.|Ernie Reyes]]' West Coast Demonstration Team, she was discovered by [[Orange Sky Golden Harvest|Golden Harvest]] in Los Angeles, California. It was two years (1985) later that she made her first martial arts movie for them, ''[[Yes, Madam (1985 film)|Yes, Madam]]'' (also known as ''Police Assassins'' or ''In the Line of Duty Part 2''), which also starred [[Michelle Yeoh]]. It proved to be a box office success. Rothrock ended up staying in Hong Kong until 1988 doing seven films there.<ref name="BB1992">{{cite magazine |last=Rothrock |first=Cynthia |title=Hollywood's Hit Woman |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9s8DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA90 |magazine=[[Black Belt (magazine)|Black Belt]] |volume=30 |date=September 1992 |publisher=Active Interest Media, Inc. |location=Los Angeles, California |page=90 |issue=9 |issn=0277-3066}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sly's Match? |first=Pat H. |last=Broeske |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=1989 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-01-29-ca-1566-story.html |access-date=December 21, 2010}}</ref> Possibly her first US film was ''[[24 Hours to Midnight]]'', a [[Leo Fong]]-directed film, which also starred [[Stack Pierce]] and

[[Bernie Pock]] (son of actress [[Nancy Kwan]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.filmaffinity.com/us/film211144.html |title=24 Hours to Midnight (1985) |website=FilmAffinity |access-date=March 30, 2020 }}</ref>

Rothrock became one of the few Western performers to achieve genuine stardom in the local [[Cinema of Hong Kong|Hong Kong film industry]] before achieving success in their own country. She was credited as 羅芙洛 ("Fu Lok Law" or "Foo Lok Law") in many Hong Kong movies.<ref name="Palmer1995">{{cite book |last=Palmer |first=Bill |title=The Encyclopedia of Martial Arts Movies |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qW8rAUX6yvIC&pg=PA411 |date=1995 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=9780810830271 |page=411}}</ref> Producer [[Pierre David (film producer)|Pierre David]] initiated Rothrock's move to the American turf. David offered her a co-starring role with [[Chad McQueen]] in ''Martial Law'', Rothrock's first U.S. production. For the next 10 years, she led a successful career in action movies. Her films include ''[[China O'Brien]]'' and ''China O'Brien 2'', ''Guardian Angel'', ''Honor & Glory'', ''[[No Retreat, No Surrender 2]]'' and ''Prince of the Sun'', amongst a roster of thirty films.<ref name="Willis2004">{{cite book |last=Willis |first=Andrew |title=Film Stars: Hollywood and Beyond |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_2ZXBaDJ6DUC&pg=PA174 |date=September 4, 2004 |publisher=Manchester University Press |isbn=9780719056451 |pages=174–179}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The First Action Heroes 3 Female Martial Artists Ready To Blaze Trail To Big Screen |first=Sid |last=Smith |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=1993 |url= http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1993-11-04-9311040015-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914061243/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1993-11-04-9311040015-story.html |accessdate=December 21, 2010|archive-date=September 14, 2018 }}</ref>

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Rothrock appeared as Bertha Jo in the 1997 television film ''[[The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!]]''<ref>{{cite news |last=Everett |first=Todd |title=Review: 'Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!' |url=https://variety.com/1997/film/reviews/dukes-of-hazzard-reunion-1200449537/ |accessdate=March 30, 2020 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=April 24, 1997}}</ref>

Rothrock did voice work on the animated series ''[[Eek! ~~The~~the Cat]]'', which premiered in September 1992.<ref name="RanceRance2005">{{cite book |last=Rance |first=Penelope T. J. |title=Martial Arts |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ao6GAAAAIAAJ |date=2005 |publisher=Virgin Books |isbn=9780753510780 |page=118}}</ref>

Rothrock made an appearance in the television series ''[[Hercules: The Legendary Journeys]]'', playing Hera's second Enforcer in the 1996 episode, "Not Fade Away."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cynthia Rothrock: The Queen of Martial Arts {{!}} Psychology Today |url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-blame-game/201902/cynthia-rothrock-the-queen-martial-arts |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=www.psychologytoday.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

After starring in the 2004 film ''Xtreme Fighter'' (a.k.a. ''Sci-Fighter''), where she played "Sally Kirk/The White Dragon," Rothrock retired from acting to teach private martial arts lessons at her martial arts studio in [[~~Studio City, Los Angeles|~~Studio City, California]].<ref name="Hill2012">{{cite book |last=Hill |first=Katrina |title=Action Movie Freak |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q8VJyo29-BQC&pg=PA246 |date=2012 |publisher=Krause Publications |location=Iola, Wisconsin |isbn=9781440232268 |pages=246–247}}</ref> She returned to acting for the role as Nanna in the 2012 Christmas family film ''Santa's Summer House'', alongside British martial artist and actor [[Gary Daniels]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bzfilm.com/articles-notes/action-stars-unite-for-christmas-family-film-santas-summer-house-exclusive/ |date=August 10, 2012 |title=Action stars unite for Christmas family film "Santa's Summer House" (exclusive) |work=BZFilm.com}}</ref>

In 2014, Rothrock starred in the action movie ''[[Mercenaries (2014 film)|Mercenaries]]'', alongside [[Kristanna Loken]], [[Brigitte Nielsen]], [[Vivica A. Fox]] and [[Zoë Bell]].<ref>{{cite news |title= Burbank International Film Festival to shine the spotlight on 'media capital' |date=August 29, 2014 |work=Los Angeles Daily News |first=Bob |last=Strauss |url=http://www.dailynews.com/arts-and-entertainment/20140829/burbank-international-film-festival-to-shine-the-spotlight-on-media-capital}}</ref>

In 2023, Rothrock began production on the movie ''Black Creek'', in which she took on multiple roles. She not only produced it, but also co-wrote the script and stars as the lead. This dark and gritty dystopian Western combines elements of action and martial arts, featuring a powerful female protagonist played by Rothrock herself. Joining her are familiar faces from her previous [[Robert Clouse]] film ''[[China O'Brien]]'', including [[Richard Norton (actor)|Richard Norton]] and Keith Cooke. ''Black Creek'' is set to be released in 2024, and will have an accompanying graphic novel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=Black Belt |date=2024-02-23 |title=Cynthia Rothrock Unveils 'Black Creek' Graphic Novel: A Cinematic Saga Expands into Comics |url=https://www.blackbeltmag.com/cynthia-rothrock-unveils-black-creek-graphic-novel-a-cinematic-saga-expands-into-comics |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=Black Belt Magazine |language=en}}</ref>

==Filmography==

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*(2018) ''Paying Mr. McGetty'' as Herself

*(2021) ''Vendetta Vette'' as LaRue

*(2021) ''Cool Cat Saves ~~The~~the Kids (Director's Cut)'' - Momma Cat (voice, archive footage from ''Cool Cat Kids Superhero'')

*(2021) ''Diary of Aa Lunatic'' as Mrs. Cloudover

*(2021) ''[[New York Ninja]]'' as the voice of Detective Janet Flores

*(2022) ''Prey of Wrath'' as Brenda Sands

*(2024) ''[[The Last Kumite]]'' as Julie Jackson

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* [[Genoa]], October 5, 2016 - Rothrock was awarded the title of "Knight of Sport" by the National Order Knights of Sport, with the support of ASI.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Salvatore Taverniti|url= http://www.preserreedintorni.it/squillace-cz-kung-fu-lino-perlongo-maestro-dellanno/ |title= Prestigioso riconoscimento mondiale al primo "Hall of fame of martial arts Italy," svoltosi nei giorni scorsi a Genova|publisher=Presserredintorni.it |date=22 October 2016|access-date=July 1, 2023}}</ref>

* In 2014, Rothrock was inducted into the [[International Sports Hall of Fame]].<ref name="auto"/>

* In 2016, [[Martial Arts History Museum]] bestowed Rothrock the official title of "Queen Of The Martial Arts".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mamuseum.cms.ipressroom.com/news/queen-of-martial-arts-title-bestowed-to-cynthia-rothrock-by-martial-arts-museum|title=Queen of Martial Arts Title bestowed to Cynthia Rothrock by Martial Arts Museum | Martial Arts Museum|website=mamuseum.cms.ipressroom.com}}</ref>

==References==