Rachel Luttrell

Rachel Zawadi Luttrell (born 19 January 1971) is a Tanzanian-Canadian-American actress best known for her role as Teyla Emmagan, an Athosian warrior leader on Stargate Atlantis.

Rachel Luttrell
Born
Rachel Zawadi Luttrell

(1971-01-19) 19 January 1971 (age 53)
OccupationActress
Years active1986–present
Spouse
Loyd Bateman
(m. 2007; div. 2021)
Children2
RelativesErica Luttrell (sister)

Early life

Luttrell was born 19 January 1971,[1] in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania,[2] the daughter of Veronica Makihio Shenkunde Luttrell[3] of the Washambala tribe of the Usambara Mountains, and Dr. William Leon Luttrell[3] from Bossier City, Louisiana. She is one of four daughters.[3] Her family emigrated to Canada when she was five years old,[2] and she was raised in Toronto.[2] Her family has several musical roots; her father, a former member of the critically acclaimed Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, trained Luttrell's soprano voice. She studied ballet at the Russian Academy of Classical Ballet School[4] and also studied piano at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.[2][4]

Career

Luttrell made her professional debuts in Canada's premier production of Miss Saigon in Toronto, and as "The Enchantress" in the Canadian production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. She would go on to appear in many other stage productions, such as Once On This Island, Goblin Market, and the premier performance of Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Lynn Nottage's Las Meninas.[1]

Following a move to Los Angeles, Luttrell became frustrated with some of the minor roles she was offered to her at the time,[4] and considered giving up on her acting career to enroll at the UCLA to study architecture.[5] She ventured to the UK instead and studied at the British American Drama Association on a midsummer course at Balliol College, Oxford.[5]

In 2004, Luttrell was cast in a main role as Athanosian warrior-leader Teyla Emmagan[2] on Stargate Atlantis.[4] She remained in this role for 99 episodes until the end of the series in 2009.[2][4]

She also appeared in the Canadian movie A Dog's Breakfast, which was directed by her Stargate Atlantis co-star David Hewlett.[1]

In 2011 Luttrell ventured into jazz music, releasing her first album I Wish You Love, produced by Gerrit Kinkel and featuring artists like double bass player Jennifer Leitham, Graham Dechter, and Konrad Paszkudzki, and drummer Jeff Hamilton.[5]

Personal life

Luttrell married Loyd Bateman, a former stunt performer in 2007;[6][2] they have two children together, her son Caden (born 2007)[5] and daughter Ridley (born 2012).[5] Luttrell has two younger sisters, Erica Luttrell,[3] who is also an actress, and Amanda Luttrell Garrigus,[3] who is an on-air personality for fashion and entertainment.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1986CourageBobby's DaughterTV film
1992Personal EffectsShort film
1995House
1996Joe's So Mean to JosephineGirl in Bar
2001Feast of All SaintsLisetteTV film
2001ImpostorScan Room Nurse
2003Everyday UseDee
2004Stop Thief!NickyShort film
2005The AviaryPortia
2007A Dog's BreakfastRatcha
2009HardwiredCandace
2019Zombieland: Double TapTerrified Woman in Snow

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1989-1993Street LegalVeronica Beck20 episodes
1992Forever KnightOfficer Norma Alves"Hunters"
1993Maniac MansionLorrie"Tina and the Teardrops"
1995The Great DefenderReporter"Naked Truth", "Camille"
1997DogsMimi"1.1"
1997In the HouseDaphne"The Cruise: Parts 1 & 2"
1998DamonBrenda"Under Covers"
1998Sleepwalkers"Cassandra"
2001CharmedJanna"Exit Strategy"
2001ERParamedic"Rampage"
2002Touched by an AngelMarla"The Sixteenth Minute"
2004-2009Stargate AtlantisTeyla Emmagan91 episodes
2011True JusticeLt. Humphreys"Urban Warfare: Part 1"
2011NCISNavy Lt. Cmmdr. Stephanie Mosner"Sins of the Father"
2013NCIS: Los AngelesCIA Agent Yvette Lowell"Big Brother"
2015No Sleep Till 18Jill"Everyone's Got an Opinion"
2016ArrowRosie"Code of Silence"
2018Girlfriends' Guide to DivorceOona Falcone2 episodes
2019The I-LandBrooke"The Dark Backward"

References

External links