Best Female Martial artists

1. Cynthia Rothrock

Cynthia Rothrock is a martial arts expert and athlete, who went on to become a film actress, starring in a number of highly successful B action movies. She first made a name as an action actress in Hong Kong before going on to wow audiences in her home turf. At the time of her popularity, she was ...

8th dan in tan soo do 4th dan in tae kwon do black belt in kenpo black belt in wushu black belt in Pai Lum and 5-time WKC Champion; AKA & NKC Champion; Long Beach International, Battle of Atlanta, Diamond Nationals, Fort Worth Pro Am & California Superstars Nationals/Internationals Champion , black belt , inside kung fu and martial arts history museum hall of fame entry black belt in eagle chaw black belt in Quan Fa Black Belt in Northern Shaolin my favourite martial arts queen in movies

2. Karen Sheperd

Actress | Hercules: The Legendary Journeys

Karen Sheperd is an accomplished American actress with numerous credits in film, television and theatre. Also a highly accomplished athlete, Karen found an early fascination with theatre as a very young girl. Working backstage on a regional production of "The King and I' in Oregon, Karen found ...

7th dan in Wun Hop Kuen and 2-time US Open Karate Champion; 2-time Diamond Nationals Champion and 2-time West Coast Nationals Champion , WKC Gold medal , black belt and martial arts history museum hall of fame entry Shotokan Karate Kenjukenbo is the first woman to hold the title of #1 Women's Black Belt Forms Champion

3. Angela Mao

Actress | Enter the Dragon

Angela Mao was born as Mao Ching Ying in 1950 as the third of eight children to a family of entertainers for the Peking Opera House. She had a successful career as a Chinesa Opera actress, where her flexibility and martial arts first developed. She was discovered by film producer Raymond Chow who ...

3rd Dan in Hapkido Tae kwon do Wushu

4. Kathy Long

Actress | Romy and Michele's High School Reunion

Kathy Long was kick-boxing first "sex Symbol". The Mia St. John of kick-boxing. Looked more like a blond surfer girl from southern California then a champion kick-boxer. Dominated women's kick-boxing in the 1980s. Retired with a 18-1 kick-boxing record. Fought briefly as a professional boxer with ...

Champion in Kickboxing (2x KICK World Kickboxing Champion , 1x WKA World Kickboxing Champion , 1x ISKA World Kickboxing Champion , 1x WMAC World Kickboxing Champion black belt and martial history musuem hall of fame ) 8th dan in San soo 1st Dan in Aikido Jeet Kune Do Tae kwon do Escrima Wing Chun is a martial arts's trainer and instructor

5. Graciella Casillas

Actress | Fire in the Night

Graciella Casillas was born on August 22, 1956 in Oxnard, California, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for Fire in the Night (1985), Full Impact (1993) and The Lioness Within.

Champion in Kickboxing ( WKA Women's World Bantamweight champion with a record of 35-0 , black belt and martial history musuem hall of fame ) 3rd dan in Ju jutsu 3rd dan in Kenpo Jeet Kune do Tae kwon do Founder of Shen Chun Do Eskrima is also a professional boxer with a record of 6-0 , she is the first competitor to hold both WBMA and WKA championships , she is also the first woman to became an instructor in Carbales Escrima

6. Zara Phythian

Actress | Tribal Get Out Alive

Zara Phythian was born on May 10, 1984 in England. She is an actress and producer, known for Tribal Get Out Alive (2020), Doctor Strange (2016) and Morgan (2016). She has been married to Victor Marke since 2015.

4th dan in Freestyle Karate ( 13 Time World Martial Arts Champion , Triple Womans World Grand Champion (Germany) , Double World Champion & Grand Champion (Spain) , 4-time US National Title Belt Champion , over 50 British Open Championships , World Point Fighting Champion , World Traditional Kata Champion , World Creative / Musical Forms Champion , 10 European Grand Champion Titles , World Traditional Weapon Champion , WUMA European Champion , 8 Gold Medals at the Battle Of Champions , World Weapon Combat Champion and 6 World Champion Rings ) 3rd Dan in Tae kwon do 1st Degree in Yi Tung Shaolin 3rd Dan in San Ryu Do 2nd dan in shotokan karate Champion in Kickboxing ( black belt hall of fame entry )

is the first Brit to be included in Hall of fame

7. Dana Hee

Stunts | Mortal Kombat: Annihilation

Dana Hee is also a television color commentator (local, national, and int'l Taekwondo events). A master of ceremonies (U.S.O.C. Olympic Academy, Olympic Sports Festival, San Francisco-Seoul Sister City Fund raiser, National Educational seminars for CAPHERD and AAHPERD. A motivational speaker (over ...

4th dan in Tae kwon do ( Gold medal at 1988 Summer olympics , gold medals at the 1988 U.S. Olympic Team trials and finals , silver medals at the U.S. National Championships , black belt , Grandmasters , taekwondo and martial arts history musuem hall of fame ) Brown belt in Shotokan Karate Aikido Capoeira Brazilian Jiu jutsu Wushu kickboxing also studied Boxing and wrestling

8. Bridgett Riley

Stunts | Watchmen

Bridgett Riley was born on May 13, 1973 in Oakville, Missouri, USA. She is an actress, known for Watchmen (2009), Jumper (2008) and Star Trek Beyond (2016).

Champion in Kickboxing ( ISKA, WKBA, WKA, UKF & IKBF Champion with a record of 26-2 , black belt hall of fame ) 1st dan in Karate is a pro boxer with a record of 15-3 and a IFBA Champion

9. JuJu Chan Szeto

Actress | Wu Assassins

JuJu Chan Szeto (aka JuJu Chan) is a Chinese American actress, best known for her fight action. She graduated with a Masters degree from the prestigious New York University-Tisch School of the Arts (Film/TV). An award winning actress, she's also a martial artist of several styles but is best known ...

2nd dan in Tae kwon do ( ITF Bronze medalist ) Pro Muay Thai boxer ( Tol Champion ) is the next michelle yeoh and female bruce lee

10. JeeJa Yanin

Actress | Chocolate

Yanin "Jeeja" pronounced "ChiCha" Vismitananda was born in Bangkok, Thailand. Her mother is Prasita Vismitananda and her father, Pawadol Borirak, was a businessman who died when his daughter was 17, she has an older brother, Nantapong "Jeed" Vismitananda. She is mainly of Thai descent with some ...

3rd dan in Tae Kwon do Muay Thai she is called Female Tony Jaa

11. Diana Lee Inosanto

Actress | Ahsoka

For Diana Lee Inosanto, joining the cast of the new Star Wars series, Ahsoka and becoming part of the iconic Star Wars franchise may seem like a dream, but it is very much the real-life culmination of 30 years of dedication and hard work. Originally, Diana was featured in The Mandalorian for the ...

Jeet Kune Do Wushu Savate Pentjak Silat Muay Thai Kickboxing Brazilian Jiu Jutsu is the goddaughter of Martial arts legend Bruce Lee

12. Shannon Lee

Actress | Blade

Shannon Emery Lee (born April 19, 1969) is an American actress, martial artist and businesswoman. She is the daughter of late martial arts film star Bruce Lee and retired martial arts teacher Linda Lee Cadwell, the granddaughter of Cantonese opera singer Lee Hoi-Chuen, and the younger sister of ...

Jeet Kune Do Tae Kwon Do Wushu Kickboxing Is the daughter of Martial arts legend Bruce Lee

13. Chloé Bruce

Stunts | Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens

Chloe began her training at the age of 8 after watching her brother training. She began with Tang Soo Do and at the age of 9 she was told that she was better than average. Ath the age of 10 she was already competing and won her first WKA British title at the age of 12. She was also selected to ...

4th Dan in Tang soo do ( WKA World Champion, gold medal at Swiss Open Championships , WKA British Champion , WAKO British Champion , Gold medal at French Open Championship , Gold medal at Irish Open Champion , gold medal at Charlie Lee National Championships , gold medal at US Open Championships , gold medal at Ocean State Nationals , gold medal at Quebec Open Championships and gold medal at New England Open ) kickboxing set a guiness record by 212 kicks in one minute

14. Ronda Rousey

Actress | Fast & Furious 7

Ronda Rousey burst onto the women's MMA scene in August of 2010. Born in Riverside County, California on February 1, 1987 to parents Ron Rousey and AnnMaria DeMars, little Ronda was born with an umbilical cord wrapped around her neck that damaged her vocal cords. She didn't speak coherently until ...

4th dan in Judo ( Olympic Bronze medalist , 5-time USA National champion and Gold medalist, 3 gold medals at Pan-American , Silver & Bronze medalist, World Championships Silver medalist, gold medal at Junior World Championships ) UFC & Strikeforce Champion is the first and youngest American woman to earn a bronze medal in Judo

15. Gina Carano

Actress | The Mandalorian

From pioneering women's MMA to blazing a trail in movies, GINA CARANO is one of Hollywood's most unique rising stars. Carano began her training with Muay Thai to competitive MMA, where she competed in Strikeforce and EliteXC. Her popularity led to her being called the "Face of Women's MMA" and she ...

Kickboxing Pro Muay Thai boxer record 12-1-1 Brazilian Jiu Jutsu is a student of Master Toad and is called Chick Norris

16. Tiana Alexandra-Silliphant

Actress | The Killer Elite

Actress, filmmaker and writer, Tiana Alexandra-Silliphant (Thi Thanh Nga) was born in Saigon, and has shuttled between Vietnam and the USA since she was 5-years-old. Her life has been a true adventure: Child of War, Karate Princess, Bride of God, Actress, Mom, Singer, Songwriter, Film Producer, ...

1st Dan in Tae Kwon do Jeet Kune Do is the first female Student of Bruce Lee and is called Princess Karate

17. Christine Rodriguez

Stunts | Batman & Robin

Mrs. Bannon-Rodriguez is one of the leading female martial artists. Her skills took her to be a WAKO Champion and member of Team Paul Mitchell. She has a 4th degree black belt in Oki-Ryu Kempo and Wushu.

Her champion stats are: 1997 KRZ Magazine's Number #1 Fighter of the '90s, 1995 WAKO-PRO World ...

4th Dan in Oki-Ryu Kenpo Wushu ( 6 gold medals at wako , team paul mitchell member , black belt , inside kung fu and martial arts hall of fame ) Kickboxing ( Bronze Medal in Wako )

18. Kimber Johnson

Actress | 1 Out of 100

A twenty-plus year veteran of the martial arts and 2-time Gold Medalist (Olympic Style Fighting USTU and AAU), Kimber holds a fourth degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. She is recognized as one of the most powerful women fighters and forms champions in the world. Kimber was also a featured performer ...

4th Dan in Tae kwon do ( Gold Medals at AAU & USTU )

19. Cecily Fay

Actress | Warrioress

Cecily Fay was born on April 6, 1978 in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England, UK. She is an actress and composer, known for Warrioress (2013), Babes with Blades (2018) and Snow White and the Huntsman (2012).

Melayu & Pentjak Silat ( 2 time gold medals in EPSF ) Tai Chi is actually the first and only Woman to master both types of silat

20. Rachel Grant

Actress | Die Another Day

Actress Rachel Louise Grant De Longueuil was born on the Island of Luzon in the Philippines. Her mother is Filipino and her father, British. Rachel is the middle of three sisters and grew up in the English town of Nottingham where she and her sisters performed on stage for many years. She attended ...

Pentjak Silat Escrima is a student of Dan Inosanto

21. Sophia Crawford

Stunts | Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Sophia Crawford was born in Hammersmith, London, and is one of Triplets. She left England in 1986 and took an incredible journey on a bus overland from London to India. After spending some time in India and Nepal, Sophia headed to Thailand, where she began her movie career. At first she was an ...

Karate black belt in Tae kwon do Brazilian Jiu Jutsu is a student of Yukari Oshima , Master Simon Rhee and Master Felicia Oh

22. Caitlin Dechelle

Stunts | The Mandalorian

Caitlin Dechelle was born in Miami, FL and is based in Atlanta, GA. She began her martial arts training at 6 years old and was competing by age 8. She enjoyed the exhilaration of competition and went on to win 94 NASKA & World Titles, making her the most decorated female martial artist in the world...

2nd dan in Goju ryu Karate ( 62 Time World Champion North American Sport Karate Association French Open Winner (2004), Guatemala (2008 & 2009), Mexico (2008), Austria (2009), World Champion WAKO Junior World Champion (2008), Italy 7 time ISKA Forms/Weapons Champion (2005-2010) ) 2nd dan in Tae kwon do Kobudo Kendo is a student of Mike Chat

23. Katheryn Winnick

Actress | Vikings

Award-winning actress, director, producer, Katheryn Winnick, is best known for starring and directing the critically acclaimed, Emmy award-winning television series "Vikings." Winnick made her directorial debut in sixth and final season which earned her "Best Director" at the 2020 WIN Awards. She ...

2nd dan in Karate 3rd dan in Tae kwon do ( silver medal national champion ) opened 3 martial arts school at age 21

24. Mimi Lesseos

Actress | Double Duty

Mimi Lesseos was born on February 25, 1964 in Los Angeles County, California, USA. She is an actress and writer, known for Double Duty (2009), Streets of Rage (1993) and Beyond Fear (1993).

Kickboxing ( international champion ) black belt in Judo black belt in Karate is also a pro wrestler

25. Catya Sassoon

Actress | Tuff Turf

Daughter of English hair stylist Vidal Sassoon and American actress Beverly Adams, she was born and lived her tender years in Manhattan, New York, then in Los Angeles, California.

At 14, she dropped out of Beverly Hills High School to pursue a modeling career in New York, due to the persuasion of ...

Karate ( WKa Champion )

26. Michele Krasnoo

Actress | Kickboxer 4: The Aggressor

Michele Krasnoo was born on July 1, 1974 in Culver City, California, USA. She is an actress, known for Kickboxer 4: The Aggressor (1994), Full Contact (1993) and Death Match (1994). She is married to Stephen Lax. They have three children.

5th dan in tang soo do ( 6 time NBL WORLD CHAMPION , NASKA WORLD CHAMPION ) 1st dan in tae kwon do 1st dan in Shorin Ryu Karate black belt in Wushu studied the martial arts for over 20 years

27. Kim Penn

Actress | The Ultimate Warrior

Hailing from Sydney, Australia, she is a former undefeated kumite fighter and 1988 World Karate Champion. She participated in state, national, and international tournaments, receiving the Most Outstanding Competitor Award at the World Karate Championships in Japan. Her martial arts skills also ...

black belt in taekwon do karate muay thai wushu Eagle Chaw ( WKA champion )

28. Yukari Ôshima

Actress | Lik wong

Daughter of a Chinese woman, who spent her childhood in Nishi Ku (Fukuoka City). When she was in elementary school, her parents divorced and she went to live with her mother, who ran a little restaurant. Being a child she practiced karate in junior high school, represented Kyushu in several ...

black belt in karate ( japanese national champion ) Hung gar

29. Cynthia Khan

Actress | Eternal Fist

After studying Chinese and jazz dance from elementary school, at 17 years old, she won a national contest to find new talents, organized by Taiwanese TV, and shortly after she made several appearances on TV, and also got cast in a bit part in the Taiwanese film "Taipei Story" (1985), directed by ...

taekwon do

30. Lauren Mary Kim

Stunts | The Mandalorian

Lauren Mary Kim is the faceless action hero that brings adrenaline to films, television and video games. As a child she trained in acrobatics and dance and originally moved to Los Angeles to become a dancer where she landed her first job as a Laker girl. Soon after she trained in acting, martial ...

black belt in tae kwon do Muay thai Wushu black belt in hapkido Pentjak Silat Escrima Capoiera is a student of Grandmaster Jun Chong , Master Simon Rhee , matt mullins and Guro dan inonsato

31. Lynnette Love

Actress | WMAC Masters

Lynnette Love is known for WMAC Masters (1995) and Seoul, U.S.A. (2012).

black belt in Tae kwon do ( olympic gold medalist )

32. Samantha Win

Stunts | Army of the Dead

Samantha Win Tjhia (formerly Samantha Jo) was born in Barrie, Ontario, Canada to a Chinese father and Caucasian/Canadian mother, Charles and Leslie. She has two older brothers who reside in Toronto with the rest of her family. Samantha started acted at the age of 10, appearing in several toy ...

Wushu ( Pan American gold medalist and 2 WWC champion ) Jiu Jutsu Tai chi

33. Chona Jason

Actress | The Time Machine

Chona Jason was born on March 7, 1963 in Hilo, Hawaii, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for The Time Machine (2002), Ghosts of Mars (2001) and Dragon Fury (1995).

1st dan in tae kwon do 1st dan in Karate Hapkido Kickboxing jiu jutsu Kendo Iaido

34. Katalin Zamiar

Actress | Mortal Kombat II

Born 1973 in Chicago, Illinois. She holds 3 black belts in Tae Kwon Do, Goju Karate and Shorin Ryu Karate with 21 years of experience in martial arts and 14 years of experience with boxing. She has the title 'Sifu', and is a national and international fitness presenter. She's a certified trainer ...

black belt in Shorin-Ryu & Goju-Ryu Karate black belt in tae kwon do Krav maga Muay thai Brazilian Jiu jutsu Kickboxing MMA

35. Polly Ling-Feng Shang-Kuan

Actress | Ma lu xiao ying xiong

Polly Ling-Feng Shang-Kuan was born on October 10, 1949 in Pin-Tong, Taiwan. She is an actress, known for Ma lu xiao ying xiong (1973), Bons baisers de Hong-Kong (1975) and Wu lin long hu dou (1970).

black belt in tae kwon do black belt in karate black belt in judo is praised by hong kong saying while Bruce Lee is the dragon,she is the phoenix"

36. Pan Pan Yeung

Actress | Yi ge ren de wu lin

Born in Hong Kong of Shanghai and Sechuan parents. Started martial arts and Chinese opera training when she was 4 year-old, and later at the Fan Kok Fa opera academy. Learned different styles from top masters, including Lee Kwan Hung, of Choy Lay Fatt kung fu; Dan Inosanto of jeet kune do; western ...

Choy Lay Fut Jeet Kune Do karate is a student of master Lee Kwan Hung , Guro Dan Inosanto and sensei Bruce Leung

37. Ka'imi Kuoha

Actress | Veronica Mars

Ka'imi Kuoha is known for Veronica Mars (2004), Return of the Killer Tomatoes! (1988) and Seers of the Ninth Island (2014).

blzck belt in Kara-Ho Kempo

is the daughter of Grandmaster Sam Kuoha

38. Daisy Lang

Actress | Undisputed II: Last Man Standing

Before she appeared as an actress in movies, Daisy Lang became one of the first women pioneers in women's' professional boxing. She has 3 titles in three different categories in Germany: Junior Bantam (1999), Bantam (2003) and Super Bantam Weight (2003). Her sports accomplishments opened the way ...

black belt in karate kickboxing is also a pro boxer (record: 19-3-1) and a WIBF and GBU Champion

39. Malia Bernal

Actress | Sidekicks

Malia Bernal is known for Sidekicks (1992). She was previously married to Al Dacascos.

Wun Hop Kuen founder and 7th dan in Xiang Dai ( black belt hall of fame ) is the wife of martial artist master Al decrassos and the first woman to operate martial arts schools in America and Germany

40. Fredia Gibbs

Actress | Knockout

Fredia Gibbs was born in Chester, PA. USA . Multi Sport Champion. Billed as the Most Dangerous Kickboxing Women In the World after knocking out Frances Champion. Gibbs is a 3x World Kickboxing Champion. She is known for her work on The Roseanne Barr ( 2002) The World Toughest Women. She was ...

champion in Muay thai ( 3-time ISKA Champion; record: 16-0-1 ) 1st dan in tae kwon do Ju jitsu

41. Aoni Ma

Actress | The Favor

Aoni Ma is known for The Favor (2009), Aleta: Vampire Mistress (2019) and Die Fighting (2014).

Wushu ( 3-time International Kung Fu Gold medalist ) is the daughter of master Ma JinLong

42. Chris Yen

Actress | Give 'em Hell Malone

Chris Yen is known for Give 'em Hell Malone (2009), Shanghai Knights (2003) and Rise of the Tarragon.

Wushu (Chinese International Bronze Medalist) tai chi is the sister of martial artist actor Donnie Yen and daughter of Master Bow-Sim Mark

43. Michiko Nishiwaki

Actress | Everything Everywhere All at Once

Michiko Nishiwaki is a multi-talented lady. An actress, martial artist, stunt woman, fight choreographer, and Japan's first Woman's Bodybuilding and Power lifting Champion. She held these titles for 1980, 1981 and 1982. While still keeping her femininity and not bulking up with the aid of anabolic ...

Goju-Ryu Karate Wushu is Japan's first National Woman's Bodybuilding and Powerlifting Champion

44. Sasisa Jindamanee

Actress | Kerd ma lui

Sasisa Jindamanee is known for Born to Fight (2004), Muay Thai Giant (2008) and Power Kids (2009).

Champion in Muay Thai ( Junior National Champion ) comptes in Thai junior championships

45. Kessarin Ektawatkul

Actress | Kerd ma lui

Kessarin Ektawatkul is known for Born to Fight (2004), Pirate of the Lost Sea (2008) and Game Rak Game Payabaht (2021).

black belt in Tae Kwon Do (Thailand National Champion)

46. Kelly Gallant

Actress | TC 2000

Kelly Gallant is known for TC 2000 (1993), Superfights (1995) and Talons of the Eagle (1992).

black belt in Isshin-Ryu Karate is also a martial arts's instructor

47. Roongtawan Jindasing

Actress | Kill 'em All

Roongtawan Jindasing is known for Kill 'em All (2012) and Raging Phoenix (2009).

4th dan in judo ( South Eastern Asian Games gold medalist , Asian Judo Championship bronze medalist ) is also a coach for the thai judo national team

48. Laura Niles

Actress | Californication

Laura Niles is an actress, stand-up comedian, writer, and director from Los Angeles, California.

Laura made her start in entertainment as a model and actress, and joined Screen Actors Guild in 1997. She has been cast in numerous TV and film roles, notably as the boxing instructor in Californication.

...

4th dan in shaolin kung fu is also an amateur boxer

49. Crystal Santos

Self | Man at Arms: Art of War

Crystal Santos was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Her parents are Antonio Santos and Cynthia Davis, her father is from Mexico and her mother is Mexican American. The first style Crystal was introduced to was boxing, her father Antonio Santos was a boxer. At the age of 18-19 she briefly...

Wing Chun wun hop kuen do kajukenpo taekwondo Judo Brazilian Jiu Jutsu Muay thai is a student of Grandmaster Eric Lee , Grandmaster Samuel Kwok , Master Simon Rhee , Grandmaster Gene Lebell