Leonor Magdalena Varela Palma entered the global screen industry in 1995, building a career that spans television miniseries and international film productions. Born in Santiago in 1972, she later moved to France to pursue formal training at the Conservatoire de Paris, eventually establishing herself as a performer with dual Chilean and French citizenship.
Early Development and Migration
The daughter of massage therapist Leonor Palma-Keller and cognitive neuroscientist Francisco Varela García, Varela experienced political upheaval during her infancy. Following the 1973 military coup d'état in Chile, her family fled the country. She grew up with three siblings, Alejandra, Javier, and Gabriel, and eventually settled in France, where she acquired the education that would ground her professional performance work.
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Varela secured international recognition through the title role in the 1999 television production of Cleopatra. Her presence in the film industry continued with the 2002 Marvel Comics adaptation Blade II, where she portrayed the character Nyssa Damaskinos. Beyond film, her television credits include a recurring appearance as the original Marta in the series Arrested Development, a role in Stargate: Atlantis, and the character Marta Del Sol in the 2012 TNT series Dallas. Her performance in the 2004 feature Innocent Voices earned her a nomination for the Ariel Award for Best Actress in 2005.
Personal Life and Advocacy
Varela married producer Lucas Akoskin in April 2013, following the start of their relationship in 2011. The couple had two children, Matteo, born in November 2012, and Luna Mae, born in February 2015. Matteo, who was diagnosed with the condition leukodystrophy shortly after birth, died in November 2018 at the age of five. Outside of her professional roles, Varela maintains a focus on marine life conservation. As a vegetarian, she participates in advocacy for the welfare of whales through organizations such as Save The Whales Again.
Fast facts
- Born: 29 December 1972, Santiago
- Education: Conservatoire de Paris
- Citizenship: Chile and France
- Spouse: Lucas Akoskin
- Languages: Spanish
- Ariel Award Nomination: 2005
Questions readers ask
What notable roles has Leonor Varela played?
She is known for her title role in the 1999 Cleopatra miniseries and for playing Nyssa Damaskinos in the 2002 film Blade II.
What advocacy work does Varela perform?
She is a marine life activist focused on the welfare of whales and works with groups like Save The Whales Again.
