Beginning her career in her teenage years, Cendrakasih had her first starring role in 1955's Ibu dan Putri (Mother and Daughter).

[3] Cendrakasih studied at a Sekolah Kepandaian Putri, a school that taught young girls the skills needed to manage a household.

Her first starring role was Ibu dan Putri (Mother and Daughter, 1955), directed by Ha van Wu and co-starring Lies Noor.

[1] After completing Habis Gelap Terbitlah Terang (After Darkness There is Light, 1959), directed by Ho Ah Loke [ms], she married a Betawi man and took a hiatus from acting.

[2] She acted in sixty films in nine years, including Hostess Anita (Anita the Hostess, 1971), Aku Tak Berdosa (I Haven't Sinned, 1972), Si Doel Anak Modern (Doel the Modern Child, 1976), and Betty Bencong Slebor (Betty the Clumsy Transvestite, 1978).

[2] Director and star Rano Karno wrote for her and cast her in the role of Lela, Doel's mother, who is often referred to as Mak Nyak.

[6] On 29 January 2024, during her 86th birthday, Google honored Cendrakasih with a Doodle which was based from her character in Si Doel series.