Rachel Dratch
| Rachel Dratch | |
|---|---|
 Dratch at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Teacher of the Year | |
| Born |
Rachel Susan Dratch February 22, 1966 Lexington, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Dartmouth College |
| Occupation | Actress, comedian |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Partner(s) | John Wahl |
| Children | 1 |
Rachel Susan Dratch (born February 22, 1966) is an American actress, comedian, producer, and writer. Born and raised in Lexington, Massachusetts, she graduated from Dartmouth College in 1988 and moved to Chicago, Illinois, to study improvisational theatre at The Second City and ImprovOlympic.
Her breakthrough came on the NBC television show Saturday Night Live (SNL), where she was a cast member from 1999 to 2006. Besides her work on SNL, she has appeared as a guest star in television shows such as The King of Queens and 30 Rock, as well as films such as Click and I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. In 2012, she published her autobiographical book Girl Walks Into a Bar: Comedy Calamities, Dating Disasters and a Midlife Miracle. She also portrayed the museum guard in Sesame Street's The Cookie Thief.
Early life
Dratch was born in Lexington, Massachusetts,[1] the daughter of Elaine Ruth (née Soloway), a transportation director, and Paul Dratch, a radiologist.[2][3]
Her younger brother, Daniel, is a television producer and writer, most recently on Anger Management. Dratch grew up the "class clown type",[1] attending William Diamond Middle School and Lexington High School in Massachusetts. She has said that even in her high school's plays she gravitated towards participating in comedies over dramas.[4]
Dratch attended the National Theater Institute at The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in the fall of 1986,[5] and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1988, where she majored in drama and psychology and was a member of the improvisational comedy group "Said and Done".[1]
Career
Dratch was a member of the mainstage cast of the Second City comedy troupe for four years. She received the Joseph Jefferson award for Best Actress in a Revue for the latter two revues in which she performed: Paradigm Lost and Promisekeepers, Losers Weepers. At Second City, she performed alongside future SNL head writers Adam McKay and Tina Fey, as well as future 30 Rock performer Scott Adsit. The first incarnation of her SNL "Wicked" sketch was performed in Second City's Paradigm Lost. In addition to acting, Dratch also played the cello onstage. The theater also hosted the first incarnation of Dratch & Fey (her critically praised two-woman show with Tina Fey[6]), which was later performed at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York, where it was dubbed "the funniest thing to be found on any New York comedy stage" by Time Out New York.[7]
Dratch has appeared in several movies, including Martin & Orloff, The Hebrew Hammer, Down with Love, Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, Click, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, Spring Breakdown, and My Life in Ruins. She also has joined fellow SNL cast members on A.S.S.S.S.C.A.T.: Improv, which aired September 7, 2005, on the Bravo channel. Dratch also made television appearances on NBC's Third Watch and in a recurring role on The King of Queens (playing Denise, the on-off girlfriend of Spence, who worked in a bowling alley). Other television appearances include Monk, Frasier, Wizards of Waverly Place, 30 Rock, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Inside Amy Schumer, Ugly Betty, and, more recently, in season five of The Middle. She recently appeared online with comedian Billy Eichner in a spoof of Jay-Z's and Alicia Keys's "Empire State of Mind", titled "Forest Hills State of Mind."[8]
Dratch was originally cast in the role of Jenna on 30 Rock, and the original pilot episode features her in the role. It did not test well, and the role was recast. She went on to play a variety of small guest roles in several episodes of the first season, including Barbara Walters, Elizabeth Taylor, a cat trainer, a custodian, a blue monster, and a doctor.[9]
On March 19, 2012, Dratch's memoir, Girl Walks Into A Bar: Comedy Calamities, Dating Disasters, and a Midlife Miracle was published. In it, Dratch recounts her experiences after being recast in the 30 Rock pilot, including the birth of her first child.[10]
Saturday Night Live
Her tenure at SNL spanned 1999 to 2006. Dratch's recurring characters included Denise, a Boston teen; Sheldon, the junior-high-school boy from Wake up, Wakefield; one of the Luvahs (with Will Ferrell, as two pretentious professors); Abe Scheinwald, a Hollywood producer with a terrible acquisition record; and, perhaps most memorably, Debbie Downer, a depressed woman who creeped others out with disturbing non sequiturs.[11] In December 2011, she made a guest appearance on Saturday Night Live's Christmas show, hosted by former cast member Jimmy Fallon.
Personal life
Both of Dratch’s parents were Reform Jews.[12] Dratch attended Hebrew school and had a Bat Mitzvah. She is non-observant as an adult, and instead characterizes the faith she was born into as part of her cultural heritage.[1]
As she discusses in her book, Girl Walks Into a Bar ... , Dratch met John Wahl, a Californian consultant in the natural foods industry, in a bar in 2009. Six months later, Dratch learned she was pregnant, and on August 24, 2010, gave birth to a boy, Eli Benjamin.[13] In an October 2010 interview, Dratch told People that her pregnancy at age 44 shocked her, because she “had bought into all this stuff about, ‘Once you’re over 40 ...’” and had “gone through the whole process of letting go of [the idea of having kids.]” Wahl has since moved to New York City to be closer to Dratch and their son.[14]
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–2006 | Saturday Night Live | Herself/Various (including Debbie Downer) | 1999–2001: Featured Player 2001–2006: Repertory Player Cameos in 2010 and 2011 |
| 2000 | Third Watch | Darla | Season 2, Episode 10: "History" |
| 2002 | Kim Possible | Adrena Lynn | Voice Role, Episode: "All the News" |
| 2002–2004 | The King of Queens | Denise Ruth Battaglia | Six Episodes: Season 5, Episode 5: "Mammary Lane" Season 5, Episode 19: "Cowardly Lyin'" Season 5, Episode 21: "Clothes Encounter" Season 5, Episode 23: "Dog Shelter" Season 6, Episode 3: "King Pong" Season 6, Episode 22: "Alter Ego" |
| 2004 | Soundtracks Live | Dorothy Baker | TV Movie |
| 2004 | Monk | Julie Parlo | Season 2, Episode 13: "Mr. Monk and the Missing Granny" |
| 2004 | Game Over | Alice Smashburn | Regular Cast Voice Role |
| 2004 | Frasier | Horny Date | Season 11, Episode 18: "Match Game" |
| 2005–2006 | O'Grady | Brooke | Voice Role, Two Episodes: Season One, Episode 13: "Remotes" Season Two, Episode: "The Fly" |
| 2006–2012 | 30 Rock | Various Roles | Originally cast as Jenna DeCarlo, later recast. Appearances: Season 1, Episode 1: "Pilot" (as Gretta Johanssen) Season 1, Episode 2: "The Aftermath" as Maria Season 1, Episode 6: "Jack Meets Dennis" as Elizabeth Taylor Season 1, Episode 7: "Tracy Does Conan" as the Blue Man Season 1, Episode 8: "The Break-Up" as Pamela Smew Season 1, Episode 9: "The Baby Show" as Greta Johanssen Season 1, Episode 10: "The Rural Juror" as Barbara Walters Season 1, Episode 13: "Up All Night" as Vlem Season 1, Episode 14: "The C Word" as Greta Johanssen Season 1, Episode 15: "Hard Ball" as Martha Blanch Season 1, Episode 21: "Hiatus" as Dr. Beauvoir Season 5, Episode 4: "Live Show" as Jadwiga Season 5, Episodes 20/21: "100" as the Blue Man and Greta Johanssen Season 6, Episode 4: "The Ballad of Kenneth Parcell" as Not Kenneth (voice, uncredited) |
| 2008 | Aqua Teen Hunger Force | Robot Wife | Voice Role Season 5, Episode 2: "Robots Everywhere" |
| 2008 | Squidbillies | Hippie Woman | Voice Role Season 3, Episode 6: "Earth Worst" |
| 2008 | Assy McGee | Various Roles | Voice Role Season 2, Episode 5: "Pegfinger" (as Brenda Sanchez) Season 2, Episode 7: "Vowel Play" (as Ling) Season 2, Episode 8: "Hands Up" (as Mrs. Sanchez) Season 2, Episode 10: "Showdown in Magic City" (as Brenda Sanchez) Season 2, Episode 5: "The Ballad of Blind Anthony" (as Peabo) Season 2, Episode 14: "Squirrels" |
| 2008 | Avatar: The Last Airbender | Actress Aang | Season 3, Episode 17: "The Ember Island Players" |
| 2008 | The Consultants | Allie | TV Movie |
| 2008 | Superjail! | Various Roles | Voice Role (uncredited) Season 1, Episode 3: "Ladies Night" |
| 2008–2009 | Wizards of Waverly Place | Future Harper | Season 2, Episode 37: "Future Harper" |
| 2009 | Ugly Betty | Penny Meadows/Mindy Meadows | Season 3, Episode 24: "The Fall Issue" |
| 2009 | Sherri | Teacher | Season 1, Episode 13: "Indecision '09" |
| 2010 | Delocated | Cellist | Season 2, Episode 4: "Mixer" |
| 2010–2013 | Fish Hooks | Koi/Esmargot/Koi's Mom | Voice Role, 28 Episodes. |
| 2011 | Funny or Die Presents | Dirkson | 4 Episodes in Season 2 (2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9) |
| 2011 | Lady Friends | Lisa | TV Movie |
| 2012 | Up All Night | Linda | Season 2, Episode 3: "Swingers" |
| 2012 | Suburgatory | Paula Weingelb | Season 2, Episode 3: "The Witch of East Chatswin" |
| 2012 | The Cleveland Show | Maggie | Season 4, Episode 6: "'Tis the Cleveland to Be Sorry" |
| 2013–2014 | The Middle | Principal Barker | 2 Episodes: Season 5, Episode 3: "The Potato" Season 5, Episode 12: "The Carpool" |
| 2013–2014 | The Awesomes | Joyce Mandrake/Tom Boy | Voice Role 12 Episodes; Recurring Role. |
| 2014–2016 | Broad City | Linda Lodi | 2 Episodes: Season 1, Episode 3: "Working Girls" Season 3, Episode 5: "2016" |
| 2014 | The Neighbors | Pearl | Season 2, Episode 18: "A Night in (Lou Ferrigno's Hibachi) Heaven" |
| 2014 | Inside Amy Schumer | Lisa | Season 2, Episode 4: "Boner Doctor" |
| 2014 | Bob's Burgers | Jodi/Abby | Voice Role, 3 Episodes: Season 4, Episode 9: "Slumber Party Season 5, Episode 7: "Tina Tailor Soldier Spy" Season 5, Episode 12: "The Millie-Churian Candidate" |
| 2014 | Dead Boss | Christine | TV Movie |
| 2015 | Parks and Recreation | Roz | Season 7, Episode 7: Donna & Joe |
| 2015 | Salem Rogers: Model of the Year 1998 | Agatha Todd | Lead role |
| 2015 | Last Week Tonight with John Oliver | Guest Star | Season 2, Episode 25: Wanda Jo Oliver Season 2, Episode 26: Wanda Jo Oliver Season 2, Episode 35: Wanda Jo Oliver |
| 2015 | Unforgettable | Rosie Webb | Season 4, Episode 1 Season 4, Episode 2 |
| 2016 | The $100,000 Pyramid | Herself (celebrity guest) | Season 1, Episode: Rachel Dratch vs. Ana Gasteyer |
| 2016 | The Simpsons | Episode "The Town" | |
| 2017 | Imaginary Mary | Mary | Voice role; Lead role |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Serious Business | Jude Rusell | |
| 2002 | Martin & Orloff | Southern Woman | |
| 2003 | The Hebrew Hammer | Tikva | |
| 2003 | Down With Love | Gladys | |
| 2003 | After School Special | Mrs. Greitzer | |
| 2003 | Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star | Reiner's Secretary | |
| 2004 | Freshman Orientation | Very Drunk Chick | |
| 2004 | Looking for Kitty | Julie | |
| 2005 | Her Minor Thing | Caroline | |
| 2005 | Winter Passing | Female MC | |
| 2006 | Click | Alan/Alice | |
| 2006 | The Pleasure Drivers | Counter Monkey | |
| 2007 | I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry | Benefits Supervisor Sara Powers | |
| 2008 | Bill | Doctor Robardo | Short Film |
| 2008 | Harold | Ms. Vicky Norris | |
| 2009 | Spring Breakdown | Judi Joskow | Also a Writer and Producer |
| 2009 | Love N' Dancing | Kalle | |
| 2009 | I Hate Valentine's Day | Kathy Jeemy | |
| 2009 | My Life in Ruins | Kim Sawchuck | |
| 2011 | Just Go with It | Kirsten Brant | |
| 2012 | Teacher of The Year | Assistant Principal | Short Film |
| 2012 | That's My Boy | Phil's Wife | |
| 2013 | Syrup | Clerk | |
| 2014 | A Little Game | Aunt Diane | |
| 2015 | The Grief of Others | Madeleine Berkowitz | |
| 2015 | Sisters | Kelly | |
| 2016 | Hurricane Bianca | Deborah Ward |
Theater
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Privacy | Various Roles | Off-Broadway at The Public Theater |
Web
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Submissions Only | Fiona Evans | Webseries Season 1, Episode 6: "Somethin' Else" |
| 2015 | The Dratchelor [15] | Herself | Funny Or Die web series |
Awards and nominations
- 1997 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actress in a Revue for Paradigm Lost (won)
- Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actress in a Revue for Promisekeepers, Losers Weepers (won)
- 2006 Teen Choice Award for Choice Comedian (nominated)
References
- 1 2 3 4 Gerri Miller (October 18, 2005). "Rachel Dratch". Archived from the original on October 18, 2005. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
Raised in a Reform Jewish family, Dratch did have a Bat Mitzvah but does not consider herself to be observant. “It’s more a heritage thing, I guess,” she says of her relationship to her roots.
- ↑ Aucoin, Don (February 18, 2000). "Live! From Lexington, It's Rachel Dratch". Boston Globe.
- ↑ "Marriage Announcement 1 -- No Title". Boston Globe. January 26, 1964.
- ↑ "RACHEL DRATCH on EMPLOYEE of the MONTH". SoundCloud.
- ↑ Kristina, Dorsey (December 2010). "Live! From New Haven! It's Rachel Dratch in "Celebrity Autobiography"!". The Day.
- ↑ Townsend, Tim (July 7, 2000). "Comic Duo Splits Sides". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 13, 2009.
- ↑ Emmanuel, Greg (July 2000). "SNL's Tina Fey and Rachel Dratch have found a hilarious way to spend their summer vacations.". Time Out New York: 77.
- ↑ Billy Eichner (17 January 2010). "Billy Eichner - Empire State Of Mind - Forest Hills State of Mind with Rachel Dratch" – via YouTube.
- ↑ Rosenblum, Emma (October 15, 2006). "Rachel Rolls With It". New York Mag.
- ↑ Gostin, Nicki (April 3, 2012). "'Girl Walks Into A Bar': Rachel Dratch Talks Baby, Life After 'SNL'". Huffington Post. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ↑ SNL Archives | Cast. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
- ↑ Burstein, Nathan (April 28, 2012). "From 'SNL' to performing for the 'Tribe'". The Times of Israel. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
- ↑ Former 'Saturday Night Live' star Rachel Dratch welcomes first son Eli Benjamin, a September 8, 2010, article from the New York Daily News
- ↑ "Rachel Dratch Reveals Her Son's Father". People.com. October 27, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
- ↑ "The Dratchelor".