Swoosie Kurtz | |
|---|---|
 Kurtz at the 2009 premiere ofPoliWood | |
| Born | (1944-09-06)September 6, 1944 (age 81)[1] Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1962–present |
| Parent | Frank Kurtz Jr. (father) |
Swoosie Kurtz (/ˈswuːsi/SWOO-see; born September 6, 1944)[1] is an American actress. She is the recipient of anEmmy Award and twoTony Awards.
Kurtz made herBroadway debut in the 1975 revival ofAh, Wilderness. She has received five Tony Award nominations, winning for bothFifth of July (1981) andThe House of Blue Leaves (1986); her other nominations were forTartuffe (1988),Frozen (2004), andHeartbreak House (2007).
For her television work, she has received eight Emmy Award nominations, with one win forCarol and Company in 1990. Other television credits include theNBC dramaSisters (1991–1996),Huff (2004–2006),Pushing Daisies (2007–2009), and the hitCBS sitcomMike & Molly (2010–2016). Her films includeWildcats (1986),Dangerous Liaisons (1988),Stanley & Iris (1990),Citizen Ruth (1996),Liar Liar (1997) andBubble Boy (2001).
Kurtz was born on September 6, 1944, inOmaha, Nebraska, the only child of author Margaret "Margo" (née Rogers) andAir Force ColonelFrank Allen Kurtz Jr., a decoratedWorld War II American bomber pilot.[2][3] She got her first name "Swoosie" (which rhymes with Lucy, rather than woozy) from her father. It is derived from theB-17D Flying Fortress bomber which her father piloted duringWorld War II, which was named "The Swoose" (half swan, half goose).[4][5]
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Kurtz's first television appearance at age 17 was onThe Donna Reed Show 4th-season episode "The Golden Trap" (February, 1962). She also appeared onTo Tell the Truth at eighteen, identifying her father from two impostors.[6] She made her debut as a series regular on the daytime dramaAs The World Turns in 1971. Kurtz began her career in theater, making her Broadway debut in the 1975 revival ofAh, Wilderness! She first gained wide recognition in 1978 for two theatrical productions,Uncommon Women and Others, the breakthrough play byWendy Wasserstein in which she appeared in a 1977 workshop at theEugene O'Neill Theater Center and then Off-Broadway, and the musicalA History of the American Film for which she won aDrama Desk Award. Kurtz was soon awardedBroadway's "triple crown" (theTony Award, Drama Desk, andOuter Critics Circle awards) for her portrayal of Gwen inLanford Wilson'sFifth of July. She won a second Tony for her performance as Bananas in a 1986 revival ofThe House of Blue Leaves byJohn Guare. She starred as playwrightLillian Hellman in the 2002Nora Ephron playImaginary Friends.[7]
In 1978, Kurtz was part of the ensemble cast ofMary Tyler Moore's short-lived variety seriesMary, that also includedDavid Letterman andMichael Keaton. In 1981, Kurtz began two seasons alongsideTony Randall in the sitcomLove, Sidney, in a role that earned her the first of her 10Emmy Award nominations. In 1990, she won her first Emmy for a guest-starring role onCarol Burnett's comedy seriesCarol & Company.[8]
From 1991 to 1996, Kurtz had her longest-running television role, starring as wealthy divorcee Alex Reed Halsey on the NBC dramaSisters, a role that earned her two more Emmy Award nominations. She also starred in theABC television seriesPushing Daisies asLily Charles.
In recent years, Kurtz has guest-starred on the hit seriesER andLost andDesperate Housewives and has also had recurring roles as Valerie on the dramaThat's Life, as Judy's mother Helen on thesitcomStill Standing, as Madeleine Sullivan on theShowtime drama seriesHuff, and most recently as part of a lesbian married couple withBlythe Danner on the drama seriesNurse Jackie. In 2010, Kurtz began starring on the CBS sitcomMike & Molly as Joyce Flynn. Kurtz has also appeared in a recurring part asMatt LeBlanc's mother in the comedy seriesMan with a Plan. In 2021, she began appearing asMayim Bialik's mother in the comedy seriesCall Me Kat.
Although her main focus has been television, Kurtz has starred in several major Hollywood films including the Agatha Christie dramaCaribbean Mystery (1983),Dangerous Liaisons (1988), its remakeCruel Intentions (1999), as a lesbian activist in the acclaimed indie filmCitizen Ruth (1996), and alongsideJim Carrey inLiar Liar (1997).
From 1964 to 1970, Kurtz was romantically involved withJoshua White ofThe Joshua Light Show.[9]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Slap Shot | Shirley Upton | |
| First Love | Marsha | ||
| 1978 | Oliver's Story | Gwen Simpson | |
| 1982 | The World According to Garp | The Hooker | |
| 1983 | A Caribbean Mystery | Ruth Walter | |
| 1984 | Against All Odds | Edie | |
| 1986 | Wildcats | Verna McGrath | |
| True Stories | Miss Rollings | ||
| 1988 | Vice Versa | Lillian Brookmeyer / Turk | |
| Bright Lights! | Megan | ||
| Dangerous Liaisons | Madame de Volanges | ||
| 1990 | Stanley & Iris | Sharon | |
| A Shock to the System | Leslie Marshall | ||
| 1991 | Walking the Dog | — | Short film |
| 1994 | Reality Bites | Charlane McGregor | |
| 1996 | Citizen Ruth | Diane Siegler | |
| Storybook | Queen Evilia | ||
| 1997 | Liar Liar | Dana Appleton | |
| 1998 | Outside Ozona | Rosalee | |
| 1999 | Cruel Intentions | Dr. Regina Greenbaum | |
| The White River Kid | Mummy Weed | ||
| 2001 | Get Over It | Beverly Landers | |
| Bubble Boy | Mrs. Livingston | ||
| 2002 | The Rules of Attraction | Mrs. Jared | |
| 2003 | Duplex | Jean | akaOur House |
| 2004 | Sleep Easy, Hutch Rimes | Binny Redwine | |
| 2007 | Superman: Doomsday | Martha Kent | Voice |
| 2009 | An Englishman in New York | Connie Clausen | |
| 2018 | Overboard | Grace |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | The Donna Reed Show | Mimi | Episode: "The Golden Trap" |
| 1971 | As the World Turns | Ellie Bradley[10] | Unknown episodes |
| 1976 | Kojak | Julie Di Nata | Episode: "Black Thorn" |
| 1978 | Mary | Skit characters | Unknown episodes |
| 1979 | Uncommon Women and Others | Rita Altabel | Unknown episodes |
| Walking Through the Fire | Caria | TV movie | |
| 1980 | Marriage is Alive and Well | Jane Tremont | |
| The Mating Season | Roberta | ||
| 1981–1983 | Love, Sidney | Laurie Morgan | 44 episodes Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series(1982–83) |
| 1985 | Guilty Conscience | Jackie Willis | TV movie |
| A Time to Live | Patricia | ||
| 1987 | American Playhouse | Bananas Shaughnessy / Gwen Landis | 2 episodes |
| Trying Times | Wanda | Episode: "The Visit" | |
| 1988 | Baja Oklahoma | Doris Steadman | Television film Nominated—CableACE Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film |
| 1990 | Carol & Company | Laurie | Episode: "Reunion" Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series |
| The Image | Joanne Winstow-Darvish | Television film Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie | |
| 1991 | Terror on Track 9 | Marcia Hobbs | TV movie |
| 1991–1996 | Sisters | Alex Reed Barker | Main role (127 episodes) Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series(1993–94) Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series |
| 1993 | The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom | Marla Harper | TV movie |
| And the Band Played On | Mrs. Johnstone | Television film Nominated—CableACE Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie | |
| 1994 | One Christmas | Emily | TV movie |
| 1995 | Betrayed: A Story of Three Women | Joan Bixler | |
| Hope and Gloria | Herself | Episode: "How to Get an Ed in Business" | |
| The Magic School Bus | Mrs. Hudson | Voice, episode: "Out of This World" | |
| 1996 | Party Girl | Judy Burkhard | 3 episodes |
| A Promise to Carolyn | Kay | TV movie | |
| Harvey | Verna Simmons | ||
| 1996–1997 | Suddenly Susan | Liz Miller Keane | 3 episodes |
| 1997 | Touched by an Angel | Libby King | Episode: "Charades" |
| Little Girls in Pretty Boxes | Allison Bryant | TV movie | |
| 1998 | ER | Tina Marie Chambliss | Episode: "Suffer the Little Children" Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series |
| More Tales of the City | Betty Borg Ramsey | 3 episodes | |
| My Own Country | Hope Flanders | TV movies | |
| 1999–2000 | Love & Money | Effie Conklin | 13 episodes |
| 2000 | The Outer Limits | Justice Kendall Woods | Episode: "Final Appeal" |
| 2001 | The Fighting Fitzgeralds | Martha | Episode: "When Irish Eyes Are Smilin'" |
| The Wilde Girls | Sierra Lambert | TV movie | |
| 2001–2002 | That's Life | Valerie Wilkinson | 4 episodes |
| 2002 | Street Time | Victoria Van Kleek | Episode: "The Truth Hurts... Bad" |
| 2003 | The Wild Thornberrys | Michelle Naidell | Voice, episode: "The Wild Snob-berry" |
| 2004–2006 | Huff | Madeleine Sullivan | 8 episodes Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series(2005–06) |
| 2005 | Lost | Emily Annabeth Locke | Episode: "Deus Ex Machina" |
| 2005–2014 | American Dad! | Betty Smith / Marylin Thacker | Voice, 6 episodes |
| 2005 | Still Standing | Helen Michaels | 2 episodes |
| True | TV movie | ||
| Category 7: The End of the World | Penny Hall | ||
| Nadine in Date Land | |||
| 2007–2009 | Pushing Daisies | Lily Charles | 15 episodes |
| 2008 | Living Proof | Elizabeth | TV movie |
| 2009 | Desperate Housewives | Jessie | Episode: "The Story of Lucy and Jessie" |
| Heroes | Millie Houston | 2 episodes | |
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Judge Hilda Marsden | Episode: "Crush" | |
| Rita Rocks | Marilyn | 7 episodes | |
| 2009–2011 | Nurse Jackie | Mrs. Scheinhorn | 2 episodes |
| 2010 | Chuck | Laura Turner | Episode: "Chuck Versus the Role Models" |
| 2010–2016 | Mike & Molly | Joyce Flynn | Main role (127 episodes) |
| 2016–2018 | Grace and Frankie | Janet | 2 episodes |
| 2017–2020 | Man with a Plan | Beverly Burns | Recurring role (25 episodes) |
| 2018 | The Dangerous Book for Boys | Tiffany McKenna | 6 episodes |
| Lethal Weapon | Ruthie | 2 episodes | |
| 2021–2023 | Call Me Kat | Sheila | Main role (53 episodes) |
| 2021-present | Rugrats | Minka Kropotkin | Voice, recurring role[11] |
| Year | Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | The Firebugs | Ann | Martinique Theatre July 1, 1968 – July 7, 1968 |
| 1970 | The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds | Janice Vickery | Mercer Arts Center April 7, 1970 – May 14, 1972 |
| 1975 | Ah, Wilderness! | Muriel McComber | Circle in the Square Theatre September 18, 1975 – November 23, 1975 |
| 1976 | Children | Jane | Stage 73 October 20, 1976 |
| 1977 | Uncommon Women and Others | Rita Altabel | Marymount Manhattan Theatre November 17, 1977 – December 4, 1977 |
| Tartuffe | Mariane | Circle in the Square Theatre September 25, 1977 – November 20, 1977 | |
| 1978 | A History of the American Film | Bette | ANTA Playhouse March 30, 1978 – April 16, 1978 |
| 1979 | Wine Untouched | Unknown | Harold Clurman Theater June 18, 1979 – June 28, 1979 |
| 1980 | Fifth of July | Gwen Landis | New Apollo Theatre November 5, 1980 – January 24, 1982 |
| 1985 | The Beach House | Annie | Circle Repertory Company December 19, 1985 – February 2, 1986 |
| 1986 | The House of Blue Leaves | Bananas Shaughnessy | Vivian Beaumont Theater April 29, 1986 – March 15, 1987 |
| 1989 | Love Letters | Melissa Gardner(replacement) | Edison Theatre November 14, 1989 – November 19, 1989 |
| 1991 | Lips Together, Teeth Apart | Sally Truman | New York City Center May 28, 1991 – January 5, 1992 |
| 1999 | The Mineola Twins | Myrna/Myra | Laura Pels Theatre February 18, 1999 – May 30, 1999 |
| The Vagina Monologues | Unknown | Westside Theatre October 3, 1999 – January 26, 2003 | |
| 2002 | The Guys | The Flea Theater January 17, 2002 – December 20, 2002 | |
| Imaginary Friends | Lillian Hellman | Ethel Barrymore Theatre December 12, 2002 – February 16, 2003 | |
| 2003 | Intrigue with Faye | Woman | Acorn Theater June 11, 2003 – July 16, 2003 |
| 2004 | Frozen | Nancy | Circle in the Square Theatre May 4, 2004 – August 22, 2004 |
| 2006 | Heartbreak House | Hesione Hushabye | American Airlines Theatre October 11, 2006 – December 17, 2006 |
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