Rachel Zawadi Luttrell ( ; born January 19, 1971) is a Canadian actress, best known for her role as Teyla Emmagan in Stargate Atlantis (2004–2009).
Early life Luttrell was born on January 19, 1971, in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, the daughter of Veronica Makihio Shenkunde Luttrell of the Washambala tribe of the Usambara Mountains, and William Leon Luttrell, a doctor from Bossier City, Louisiana. She is one of four daughters. Her family emigrated to Canada when she was five years old, and she was raised in Toronto. 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 and also studied piano at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.
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 first production of Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Lynn Nottage's Las Meninas.
Following a move to Los Angeles, Luttrell became frustrated with some of the minor roles that were offered to her at the time, and considered giving up on her acting career to enroll at UCLA to study architecture. She ventured to the UK instead and studied at the British American Drama Association on a midsummer course at Balliol College, Oxford.
In 2004, Luttrell was cast in a main role as Athosian warrior-leader Teyla Emmagan on Stargate Atlantis. She remained in this role until the end of the series in 2009. Her Atlantis co-star David Hewlett cast her in the Canadian movie A Dog's Breakfast, which he directed.
In 2011, Luttrell ventured into jazz music, releasing her first album I Wish You Love, produced by Gerrit Kinkel and featuring double bass player Jennifer Leitham, Graham Dechter, Konrad Paszkudzki and drummer Jeff Hamilton.
Personal life Luttrell married Loyd Bateman, a former stunt performer, in 2007; they have two children together, a son, Caden, born in 2007, and a daughter, Ridley, born in 2012. They divorced in 2021. Luttrell has two younger sisters, Erica Luttrell, who is also an actress, and Amanda Luttrell Garrigus, who is an on-air personality in the fashion and entertainment worlds.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes1986CourageBobby's DaughterTV film1992Personal EffectsShort film1995House1996Joe's So Mean to JosephineGirl in Bar2001Feast of All SaintsLisetteTV film2001ImpostorScan Room Nurse2003Everyday UseDee2004Stop Thief!NickyShort film2005Portia2007Ratcha2009HardwiredCandace2019Zombieland: Double TapTerrified Woman in Snow
Television Year Title Role Notes1989–1993Street LegalVeronica Beck20 episodes1992Forever KnightOfficer Norma Alves"Hunters"1993Maniac MansionLorrie"Tina and the Teardrops"1995Reporter"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 episodes2011True 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 episodes2019 The I-LandBrooke"The Dark Backward"
References
External links
One on One with Rachel Luttrell Interview with Luttrell about her career and season four of Stargate Atlantis