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Swoosie Kurtz (born on September 6, 1944, in Omaha, Nebraska) is an American actress.

Early Life and Namesake

Kurtz is the only child of Air Force Colonel Frank Kurtz, and his wife, author Margo Kurtz. She got her unique first name "Swoosie" (which rhymes with Lucy, rather than woozy) from her father. It is derived from the sole surviving example, at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, of the B-17D Flying Fortress airplane, named "The Swoose" or simply "Swoose" - half swan, half goose - which her father piloted during World War II. (Her first television appearance, in fact, was on To Tell the Truth at age 18, introducing her father and two impostors.)

As a military brat she moved frequently due to her father's career. When it came time to enter college, Kurtz decided on the University of Southern California where she majored in drama. She then attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Career

Kurtz first gained attention in the late 70s in Uncommon Women and Others, the breakthrough play by Wendy Wasserstein. Kurtz was soon was awarded Broadway's "triple crown" (the Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle awards) for her portrayal of Gwen in Lanford Wilson's The Fifth of July. She won a second Tony for her performance as Bananas in a 1986 revival of The House of Blue Leaves by John Guare.

Kurtz had starring roles in the television series Love, Sidney and Sisters. She has also received an Emmy for her guest-starring performance on Carol Burnett's comedy series Carol & Company. Recently, Kurtz has had a recurring guest role as Judy Miller's mother on the CBS sitcom Still Standing, John Locke's mother, Emily Annabeth Locke, on Lost, and as Beth Huffstodt's mother on Huff.

Kurtz frequently received stellar reviews even in less praised projects, and she is widely respected as one of Hollywood's most sought-after supporting actresses, doing a lot of work she would rather not so as to pay the bills and be able to really act in the theatre.

She has never married or had children, although she was for some years partnered with the actor Brent Spiner.

Filmography

• Lost (2004) TV series .... Emily Annabeth Locke
• Duplex (2003) .... Jean
• The Rules of Attraction (2002) .... Mrs. Mimi Jared
• Bubble Boy (2001) .... Mrs. Livingston
• Get Over It (2001) .... Beverly Landers
• Sleep Easy, Hutch Rimes (2000) .... Binny Redwine
• The White River Kid (1999) .... Mummy Weed
• Love & Money (1999) TV Series .... Effie Conklin
• Cruel Intentions (1999) .... Dr. Regina Greenbaum
• Outside Ozona (1998) .... Rosalee
• Liar Liar (1997) .... Dana Appleton
• Party Girl (1996) TV Series .... Judy Burkhard (1996)
• Citizen Ruth (1996) .... Diane Siegler
• Storybook (1995) .... Queen Evilia
• Reality Bites (1994) .... Charlane McGregor
• The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom (1993) (TV) .... Marla Harper
• Walking the Dog (1991)
• Sisters (1991) .... Alexandra 'Alex' Reed Halsey Barker/Barkerowitz
• A Shock to the System (1990) .... Leslie Marshall
• Stanley and Iris (1990) .... Sharon
• Dangerous Liaisons (1988) .... Madame de Volanges
• Bright Lights, Big City (1988) .... Megan
• Vice Versa (1988) .... Tina
• The House of Blue Leaves (1987) (TV) .... Bananas Shaughnessy
• True Stories (1986) .... Miss Rollings
• Wildcats (1986) .... Verna McGrath
• Against All Odds (1984) .... Edie
• The World According to Garp (1982) .... The Hooker
• Fifth of July (1982) (TV) .... Gwen Landis
• Love, Sidney (1981) TV Series .... Laurie Morgan
• Uncommon Women and Others (1979) ....Rita Altabel
• Oliver's Story (1978) .... Gwen Simpson
• First Love (1977) .... Marsha
• Slap Shot (1977) .... Shirley
• As the World Turns (1956) TV Series .... Ellie Bradley (1971)

External links

• Swoosie Kurtz Downstage Center interview at American Theatre Wing, October 2006

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