Swoosie Kurtz

Swoosie Kurtz
Name	Swoosie Kurtz
Caption	Kurtz in 2013
Birth name	Swoosie Kurtz
Birth date	6 September 1944
Birth place	Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1962–present
Alma mater	University of Southern California, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art

Swoosie Kurtz is an acclaimed American actress renowned for her versatility across stage, film, and television. With a career spanning over six decades, she has earned critical praise for her comedic timing and dramatic depth, securing a Tony Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and an Obie Award. Kurtz is particularly noted for her work on the Broadway stage and in television series such as Sisters and Mike & Molly.

Early life and education

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, she is the daughter of author Margo Kurtz and Colonel Frank Kurtz, a decorated World War II B-17 Flying Fortress pilot. Her unique name, "Swoosie," derives from "The Swoose," her father's B-17D aircraft. She spent parts of her childhood in Ohio, Florida, and Texas due to her father's military postings before the family settled in Los Angeles. Kurtz initially studied drama at the University of Southern California before earning a scholarship to the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, where she honed her classical training.

Career

Kurtz's professional career began on the stage in the early 1960s, with early appearances in productions at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and off-Broadway. Her breakthrough came with the 1978 Broadway play Uncommon Women and Others, for which she won an Obie Award. She transitioned to television with a notable role on the NBC drama Sisters, winning a Primetime Emmy Award in 1990. Her film career includes roles in The World According to Garp, Dangerous Liaisons, and Liar Liar. On television, she later gained widespread recognition for her role as Mike's mother on the CBS sitcom Mike & Molly and has made memorable guest appearances on series like ER and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Personal life

Kurtz has been private about her personal life, never marrying and having no children. She has been a long-time resident of New York City and is known for her philanthropic work, particularly with organizations supporting the arts and HIV/AIDS research. A dedicated stage actress, she maintains strong ties to the New York theatre community and has been an advocate for The Actors Fund.

Filmography

A selective list of her film and television work includes the film Slap Shot (1977), The World According to Garp (1982), Dangerous Liaisons (1988), Reality Bites (1994), and Liar Liar (1997). Notable television series include Sisters (1991–1996), ER (1996–2009), Desperate Housewives (2008), and Mike & Molly (2010–2016). She also voiced characters in animated series such as Futurama and Adventure Time.

Stage work

Kurtz is a stalwart of the American theater, with a prolific Broadway and off-Broadway career. She won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance in The House of Blue Leaves in 1986. Other significant Broadway credits include Fifth of July, Frozen, and Heartbreak House. She has frequently collaborated with playwrights like John Guare and Lanford Wilson and performed at major regional theaters including the Mark Taper Forum and the Kennedy Center.

Awards and nominations

Kurtz's accolades include a Tony Award (1986), two Primetime Emmy Awards (1990, 2015), and an Obie Award (1978). She has received multiple Drama Desk Award nominations and won for The House of Blue Leaves. Her television work has earned her several Emmy Award nominations, and she received a Satellite Award nomination for her role in Mike & Molly. In 2003, she was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.

Category:American film actresses Category:American television actresses Category:American stage actresses Category:Tony Award winners