Her formal education includes two Bachelor's degrees in Fine Arts and Creative Writing from the University of Mary Washington, as well as a certification from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Rutherford had appeared in several theatrical performances, film roles, and television shows. Among her appearances are Saturday Night Live and the soap opera As the World Turns. Her career has given her a wide range of talents, ranging from the ability to speak numerous dialects, Ballroom, Jazz, and Modern dance techniques, and singing.