She’s the dark-haired, Singapore-born beauty who broke barriers in the ’80s, landing a breakout role opposite the decade’s biggest action star. 

This actress made her film debut as a savvy intelligence agent in a brutal jungle war and was the one behind the male lead’s now-iconic red headband in the second chapter of a legendary five-part action saga.

As a glamorous model-turned-actress, she stole hearts opposite Hollywood heavyweights throughout the ’80s and ’90s.

In 1987, she became the third wife of a wildly successful actor-singer, but their union would become strained over his struggles with alcohol until they split in 1993.

After decades on screen, this striking star announced she would be stepping away from Hollywood in March 2025.

Can you guess who?

This actress made her film debut as a savvy intelligence agent in a brutal jungle war and was the one behind the male lead’s now-iconic red headband in the second chapter of a legendary five-part action saga

This actress made her film debut as a savvy intelligence agent in a brutal jungle war and was the one behind the male lead’s now-iconic red headband in the second chapter of a legendary five-part action saga

In 1987, she became the third wife of a wildly successful actor-singer, but their union would become strained over his struggles with alcohol until they split in 1993

 It’s Julia Nickson!

Since she retired earlier this year, Nickson has rarely been seen in public until Tuesday, when she stepped out in Los Angeles, 40 years after the release of the wildly successful movie Rambo: First Blood Part II.

The 66-year-old Singapore-born actress was captured in exclusive Daily Mail photos running errands close to her home in Los Angeles.

Dressed in a sleek, all-black ensemble – including a long-sleeve top, flared leggings, sneakers, and a baseball cap – Nickson was spotted strolling down a bustling Los Angeles street lined with construction crews.

Slung over one arm was a red and blue heart-covered tote stamped with the word ‘love,’ paired with a practical black crossbody bag.

When she was 17 years old, the actress left Singapore to attend the University of Hawaiʻi, where she pursued acting, eventually landing a part in Magnum P.I.

The 66-year-old Singapore-born actress, Julia Nickson was seen in a sleek, all-black outfit – long-sleeve top, flared leggings, sneakers, and a baseball cap – as she ran errands near her Los Angeles home, weaving through a street busy with construction crews

Since retiring earlier this year, Nickson has kept a low profile – until Tuesday, when she was spotted in Los Angeles making a rare public appearance on the 40th anniversary of her most famous role

But it was her acting in Rambo as the unforgettable and courageous Co Bao opposite Sylvester Stallone that kick-started her decades-long career.

Playing the Vietnamese intelligence agent who helps break Rambo out of a prison camp, she’s credited with the main lead’s iconic red headband – a symbol forever linked to the franchise’s second of five installments – which was taken from her dress after her character’s death.

Nickson then achieved critical acclaim playing Princess Aouda, opposite Pierce Brosnan, in the 1989 miniseries Around the World in 80 Days.

She would shock fans with her secret equestrian career, snagging trophies as an amateur jockey in Asia.

In the late ’80s, she married Starsky & Hutch heartthrob David Soul, whom she met on the set of the 1987 TV movie Harry’s Hong Kong, a thriller about a private detective caught between a Chinese syndicate and the authorities while investigating a friend’s mysterious death.

The two had a daughter named China Soul, a talented singer-songwriter.

The role that launched her Hollywood career was Co Bao, a Vietnamese intelligence agent who teams up with Sylvester Stallone’s Rambo in the second film of the five-part action franchise, Rambo: First Blood Part II

Nickson later earned critical acclaim for her portrayal of Princess Aouda opposite Pierce Brosnan in the 1989 miniseries Around the World in 80 Days

She married Starsky & Hutch heartthrob David Soul in the late 80s and they had one daughter, China Soul together, but would divorce in 1993 due partially to his excessive drinking

But their marriage would ultimately end in 1993, due partially to Soul’s excessive drinking, as he told the South China Morning Post: ‘The relationship was strained because I was drinking. Julia and I would fight over that.

‘In 1989, she persuaded me to enter a rehabilitation clinic. Julia told me, “You’re destroying yourself with your drinking – you’ve got to do something”.’

The actress would also get roles in films, including Glitch! (1988), China Cry (1990), K2 (1991), Sidekicks (1992) and White Tiger (1996).

But her journey in Hollywood would come to a close in March of this year, when Nickson took to Instagram to announce her retirement.

‘I have retired for personal reasons. I grew up in Singapore, where most of our moms didn’t have careers.

‘Working over 40 years in the US has been an extraordinary journey with many ups and downs.

‘Feeling extraordinarily grateful for so many talented actors I have had the opportunity to be with on the screen. Forever grateful.’