• Swoosie Kurtz is an American actress with an estimated net worth of over $50 million
• She is the daughter of author Margo Rogers and US Air Force Colonel Frank Allen Kurtz Jr.
• She has won two Tony Awards and an Emmy Award for her work in stage, television, and film
• She has had many guest and recurring roles, most notably in "Mike & Molly" and "Nurse Jackie"
• She was in a longterm relationship with Joshua White from 1964 to 1970
Known for movies
Sisters (1991-1996)
as Alex Reed / Alex Reed Barker / Alex Reed Halsey
Mike & Molly (2010-2016)
as Joyce Flynn
Liar Liar (1997)
as Dana Appleton
Dangerous Liaisons (1988)
as Madame de Volanges
Short Info
| Date Of Birth | September 6, 1944 |
| Fact | Has twice won Broadway's Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role - Play): in 1981 for "The Fifth of July" and in 1986 for "The House of Blue Leaves." She was also nominated two other times: in 1978 as Best Actress (Featured Role - Play) for "Tartuffe," and in 2004 as Best Actress (Play) for "Frozen." |
Contents
Who is Swoosie Kurtz?
Swoosie Kurtz was born on 6 September 1944 in Omaha, Nebraska, USA, and is an actress, known through her award winning career. She has won two Tony Awards and an Emmy Award for her work, with some of her most popular projects being “Fifth of July”, “Carol and Company”, “Mike & Molly”, “The House of Blue Leaves”, and “Liar Liar”.
Happy Birthday #SwoosieKurtz #actors #acting #Broadway #theater #LoveSidney #Sisters #MikeandMolly #FifthofJuly pic.twitter.com/KsWWMLHWRz
— eArtFilm.com: Original Movie Posters for Sale (@eARTFilm) September 7, 2016
The Riches of Swoosie Kurtz
How rich is Swoosie Kurtz? As of mid-2019, sources estimate a net worth that is over $50 million, earned through a successful career in acting since the 1970s, appearing in stage productions, television shows, and films. As she still continues her endeavors, it is expected that her wealth may also continue to increase.
Early Life and Education
Swoosie is the only child of author Margo Rogers and US Air Force Colonel Frank Allen Kurtz Jr. Her father was a decorated World War II bomber pilot, and her name is derived from one of the surviving Boeing B-17D Flying Fortress bombers her father piloted. As a child, the family moved frequently due to his work.
After matriculating from high school, she enrolled at the University of Southern California (USC) where she completed a degree in drama. She then furthered her studies by enrolling at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, known for helping develop numerous high profile theatrical and Hollywood actors. It is registered under the name LAMDA, and the current president is actor Benedict Cumberbatch. The school receives funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), and offers numerous scholarships for its students.
Acting Career
A few of Kurtz’ projects during the early part of her career included support roles in shows such as “The Donna Reed Show” and “To Tell the Truth”. She then switched to work on her career on stage, appearing in her Broadway debut in 1975 in the revival of “Ah, Wilderness!” A few years later, she gained widespread recognition for her work in “Uncommon Women and Others” as well as in “A History of the American Film”, which led her to win a Drama Desk Award. She later gained the Broadway Triple Crown, winning the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Tony Awards thanks to her performances.
She gained a second Tony award for her work in the revival of “The House of Blue Leaves”, shown during 1986. She also appeared in the short-lived variety series entitled “Mary” alongside Michael Keaton and David Letterman. She got her first Emmy nomination for her work in the sitcom “Love, Sidney”, and has actually gained 10 Emmy nominations during her career. She would win one for her guest role in the comedy series entitled “Carol & Company”, which is a comedy anthology series which aired on NBC.
Later Career
In 1991, Swoosie gained her longest running television role in the NBC series “Sisters”, in which she portrayed the wealthy divorcee named Alex Reed Halsey. She got two more Emmy award nominations for her role, and then starred in the series “Pushing Daisies”, playing the character Lily Charles. She also starred in Hollywood films including “Dangerous Liasons” and its remake entitled “Cruel Intentions”, and gained a lot of critical acclaim for her work in the independent film “Citizen Ruth”, before appearing alongside Jim Carrey in “Liar Liar”.
In recent years, she’s had guest roles in popular shows such as “ER”, “Desperate Housewives”, and “Lost”. She also had recurring roles in the drama entitled “That’s Life”, and the sitcom “Still Standing”. In the show “Huff” she played the role of Madeleine Sullivan, while portraying a lesbian in the show “Nurse Jackie” alongside Blythe Danner. In 2010, she starred in the sitcom entitled “Mike & Molly” in which she played Joyce Flynn, aired on CBS and starring Billy Gardell alongside Melissa McCarthy, who fall in love after meeting at a Chicago Overeaters Anonymous group. She also had a recurring role in the comedy show “Man with a Plan” in which she played Matt LeBlanc’s mother.
Personal Life
For her personal life, it is known that Kurtz has never been married; one of her most well-documented romances was with Joshua White, a relationship which lasted from 1964 to 1970 – he is known for the Joshua Light Show, a liquid light show which portrayed psychedelic art, and was often used as a lighting background for live band performances during the 1960s and ‘70s. He used magic lantern techniques, electrical engineering, and theatrical lighting which were developed while he was at school to create the light shows.
Swoosie has stated that she enjoys her name, as there is no one named like her; the bomber she was named after is now owned by the National Air and Space Museum in Washington. According to her, she feels most alive when she is acting, and finds life more interesting while she is working. She has jokingly told herself that she might be schizophrenic due to her love for playing other roles. One of the reasons there is very little information about her is due to the lack of any presence on major social media websites. She does not have an account on any of the major websites including Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
General Info
| Full Name | Swoosie Kurtz |
| Date Of Birth | September 6, 1944 |
| Height | 1.63 m |
| Profession | Actor |
| Education | University of Southern California, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art |
| Nationality | American |
Family
| Parents | Margo Rogers, Frank Kurtz |
Accomplishments
| Awards | Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress - Comedy Series, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, Obie Award for Performance, Obie Award for Best Performance... |
| Nominations | Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Play, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting... |
| Movies | Dangerous Liaisons, Liar Liar, Cruel Intentions, Bubble Boy, Citizen Ruth, Reality Bites, The World According to Garp, Wildcats, The Rules of Attraction, Stanley & Iris, Slap Shot, True Stories, Against All Odds, Vice Versa, Get Over It, A Shock to the System, Category 7: The End of the World, Duple... |
| TV Shows | Mike & Molly, Pushing Daisies, ER, Love & Money, Party Girl, Sisters, Love, Sidney, Mary |
Social profile links
Quotes
| # | Quote |
|---|---|
| 1 | I try to tell myself I'm not schizophrenic. But when I'm not acting, I'm not alive. Everyday is just not heightened enough for me. I'm more focused, more interesting when I'm working. |
| 2 | [on her name] "Change it to what - Tiffany? It's been an advantage. It's unforgettable. I'm the only one." |
Facts
| # | Fact |
|---|---|
| 1 | She was awarded the 1987 Drama Logue Award for Outstanding Performance for "Hunting Cockroaches" at the Mark Taper Forum Theatre in Los Angeles, California. |
| 2 | Currently starring on a television show with 'Janeane Garafalo'. [June 2005] |
| 3 | appearing in "Heartbreak House" for the Roundabout Theatre Company in New York City. [November 2006] |
| 4 | Is a registered Democrat. |
| 5 | Nominated for the 2007 Tony Award (New York City) for Actress in a Drama for "Heartbreak House". |
| 6 | She was nominated for a 1975 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actress in a Principal Role for her performance in "The Philanthropist", at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. |
| 7 | Played Terry O'Quinn's mother in the Lost (2004) episode, Lost: Deus Ex Machina (2005), being just 8 years older than him. |
| 8 | Appeared both in Dangerous Liaisons (1988), and a remake, Cruel Intentions (1999), in different roles. |
| 9 | Has twice won Broadway's Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role - Play): in 1981 for "The Fifth of July" and in 1986 for "The House of Blue Leaves." She was also nominated two other times: in 1978 as Best Actress (Featured Role - Play) for "Tartuffe," and in 2004 as Best Actress (Play) for "Frozen." |
| 10 | May 28, 1991: Starred in the first production of Terrence McNally's play "Lips Together, Teeth Apart" with Nathan Lane, Christine Baranski and Anthony Heald. |
| 11 | In 1962, Swoosie and her father both appeared on the game show To Tell the Truth (1956). Col. Kurtz was the contestant, and 18-year-old Swoosie came out at the end of the game to identify her father by handing him his uniform jacket. |
| 12 | Her name "Swoosie" is derived from "Swoose" - half swan, half goose - which was the name of the B-17D bomber that her father piloted in World War II. This same aircraft (USAAC 40-3097) once carried future-president Lyndon Johnson back to Australia from Port Moresby, New Guinea, after he rode as a Navy observer on a B-26 raid on Lae. It is now owned by the National Air and Space Museum in Washington. |
Pictures
Movies
Actress
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hank | 2009 | TV Series | Evelyn Funk |
| Heroes | 2009 | TV Series | Millie Houston |
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | 2009 | TV Series | Judge Hilda Marsden |
| Desperate Housewives | 2009 | TV Series | Jessie |
| Pushing Daisies | 2007-2009 | TV Series | Lily Charles |
| An Englishman in New York | 2009 | Connie Clausen | |
| Living Proof | 2008 | TV Movie | Elizabeth |
| Superman/Doomsday | 2007 | Video | Martha Kent (voice) |
| Huff | 2004-2006 | TV Series | Madeleine Sullivan |
| Category 7: The End of the World | 2005 | TV Movie | Penny Hall |
| Still Standing | 2005 | TV Series | Helen Michaels |
| Nadine in Date Land | 2005 | TV Movie | Mrs. M |
| Lost | 2005 | TV Series | Emily Locke |
| True | 2005 | TV Movie | |
| Duplex | 2003 | Jean | |
| The Wild Thornberrys | 2003 | TV Series | Michelle Naidell |
| The Rules of Attraction | 2002 | Mrs. Jared | |
| Street Time | 2002 | TV Series | Victoria Van Kleek |
| That's Life | 2001-2002 | TV Series | Valerie Wilkinson |
| The Wilde Girls | 2001 | TV Movie | Sierra Lambert |
| Bubble Boy | 2001 | Mrs. Livingston | |
| The Fighting Fitzgeralds | 2001 | TV Series | |
| Get Over It | 2001 | Beverly Landers | |
| Sleep Easy, Hutch Rimes | 2000 | Binny Redwine | |
| The Outer Limits | 2000 | TV Series | Justice Kendall Woods |
| Love & Money | 1999-2000 | TV Series | Effie Conklin |
| The White River Kid | 1999 | Mummy Weed | |
| Cruel Intentions | 1999 | Dr. Greenbaum | |
| Outside Ozona | 1998 | Rosalee | |
| Armistead Maupin's More Tales of the City | 1998 | TV Mini-Series | Betty Ramsey |
| ER | 1998 | TV Series | Tina Marie Chambliss |
| My Own Country | 1998 | TV Movie | Hope Flanders |
| Touched by an Angel | 1997 | TV Series | Libby Glaser |
| Suddenly Susan | 1996-1997 | TV Series | Liz Miller Keane |
| Liar Liar | 1997 | Dana Appleton | |
| Little Girls in Pretty Boxes | 1997 | TV Movie | Allison Bryant |
| Party Girl | 1996 | TV Series | Judy Burkhard |
| Storybook | 1996 | Queen Evilia | |
| Sisters | 1991-1996 | TV Series | Alex Reed Alex Reed Barker Alex Reed Halsey |
| A Promise to Carolyn | 1996 | TV Movie | Kay |
| Citizen Ruth | 1996 | Diane Siegler | |
| Harvey | 1996 | TV Movie | Veta Simmons |
| The Magic School Bus | 1995 | TV Series | Dorothy Ann's Mom / NASA Woman |
| Hope & Gloria | 1995 | TV Series | Swoosie Kurtz |
| Betrayed: A Story of Three Women | 1995 | TV Movie | Joan Bixler |
| One Christmas | 1994 | TV Movie | Emily |
| Reality Bites | 1994 | Charlane McGregor | |
| And the Band Played On | 1993 | TV Movie | Mrs. Johnstone |
| The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom | 1993 | TV Movie | Marla Harper |
| Terror on Track 9 | 1992 | TV Movie | Marcia Hobbs |
| Walking the Dog | 1991 | Short | |
| Carol & Company | 1990 | TV Series | Laurie |
| A Shock to the System | 1990 | Leslie Marshall | |
| Stanley & Iris | 1990 | Sharon | |
| The Image | 1990 | TV Movie | Joanne Winstow-Darvish |
| Dangerous Liaisons | 1988 | Madame de Volanges | |
| Bright Lights, Big City | 1988 | Megan | |
| Vice Versa | 1988 | Tina | |
| Baja Oklahoma | 1988 | TV Movie | Doris Steadman |
| Trying Times | 1987 | TV Series | Wanda |
| American Playhouse | 1982-1987 | TV Series | Bananas Shaughnessy / Gwen Landis |
| True Stories | 1986 | Miss Rollings | |
| Wildcats | 1986 | Verna McGrath | |
| Guilty Conscience | 1985 | TV Movie | Jackie Willis |
| A Time to Live | 1985 | TV Movie | Patricia |
| Against All Odds | 1984 | Edie | |
| A Caribbean Mystery | 1983 | TV Movie | Ruth Walter |
| Love, Sidney | 1981-1983 | TV Series | Laurie Morgan |
| The World According to Garp | 1982 | The Hooker | |
| The Mating Season | 1980 | TV Movie | Roberta |
| Marriage Is Alive and Well | 1980 | TV Movie | Jane Tremont |
| Great Performances | 1976-1979 | TV Series | Rita Altabel / Muriel McComber |
| Walking Through the Fire | 1979 | TV Movie | Caria |
| Oliver's Story | 1978 | Gwen Simpson | |
| Mary | 1978 | TV Series | Skit characters |
| First Love | 1977 | Marsha | |
| Slap Shot | 1977 | Shirley Upton | |
| Kojak | 1976 | TV Series | Julie Di Nata |
| The Doctors | 1969 | TV Series | Student Nurse |
| The Donna Reed Show | 1962 | TV Series | Mimi |
| As the World Turns | 1956 | TV Series | Ellie Bradley (1971) |
| Furst Born | 2016 | TV Movie completed | Margaret |
| Mike & Molly | 2010-2016 | TV Series | Joyce Flynn |
| Grace and Frankie | 2016 | TV Series | Janet |
| American Dad! | 2006-2014 | TV Series | Betty Smith / Marylin Thacker |
| Nurse Jackie | 2009-2011 | TV Series | Mrs. Scheinhorn |
| Chuck | 2010 | TV Series | Laura Turner |
| Rita Rocks | 2009 | TV Series | Marilyn |
Soundtrack
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Love, Sidney | 1981 | TV Series performer: "Friends Forever" |
Thanks
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Guys | 2002 | special thanks |
Self
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entertainment Tonight | 2010-2016 | TV Series | Herself |
| Home & Family | 2014-2015 | TV Series | Herself / Herself - Guest |
| The Queen Latifah Show | 2014 | TV Series | Herself |
| The Insider | 2014 | TV Series | Herself |
| The Talk | 2011-2014 | TV Series | Herself - Guest |
| Hope and Miracles: The Making of 'Living Proof' | 2009 | Video documentary short | Herself |
| The Bonnie Hunt Show | 2008 | TV Series | Herself |
| Reinventando Hollywood | 2008 | TV Movie documentary | Herself |
| Tavis Smiley | 2007 | TV Series | Herself |
| The 61st Annual Tony Awards | 2007 | TV Special | Herself - Nominee: Best Leading Actress in a Play |
| Working in the Theatre | 1986-2006 | TV Series documentary | Herself |
| The 58th Annual Tony Awards | 2004 | TV Special | Herself - Presenter: Regional Theatre Award & Nominee: Best Leading Actress in a Play |
| The 53rd Annual Tony Awards | 1999 | TV Special | Herself - Presenter: Best Featured Actress in a Musical |
| The 50th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1998 | TV Special | Herself - Nominated: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series |
| The 52nd Annual Tony Awards | 1998 | TV Special | Herself - Presenter: Best Lighting Design & Best Scenic Design |
| The Annual Museum of Television and Radio Gala | 1997 | TV Movie | Herself |
| The 51st Annual Tony Awards | 1997 | TV Special | Herself - Presenter: Best Scenic Design |
| The Rosie O'Donnell Show | 1996 | TV Series | Herself |
| The 3th Annual Women in Hollywood Awards | 1996 | TV Special | Herself |
| 1st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | 1995 | TV Special | |
| The 46th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1994 | TV Special | Herself - Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special & Co-Presenter: Outstanding Writing in a Miniseries or a Special |
| The 48th Annual Tony Awards | 1994 | TV Special | Herself - Presenter: Best Revival of a Play |
| Vicki! | 1993-1994 | TV Series | Herself |
| The 5th Annual GLAAD Media Awards | 1994 | TV Special | Herself |
| The 16th Annual CableACE Awards | 1994 | TV Special | Herself - Presenter |
| Intimate Portrait | 1993 | TV Series documentary | Herself |
| The 45th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1993 | TV Special | Herself - Nominee: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series |
| Late Night with David Letterman | 1982-1992 | TV Series | Herself / Herself - Guest |
| One on One with John Tesh | 1991-1992 | TV Series | Herself |
| The 44th Annual Writers Guild of America Awards | 1992 | TV Special | Herself |
| The Chuck Woolery Show | 1991 | TV Series | Herself |
| The 12th Annual CableACE Awards | 1991 | TV Special | Herself |
| The 42nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1990 | TV Special | Herself - Winner: Outstanding Guest Actress in Comedy Series & Nominee: Outstanding Supporting Actress in Miniseries or Special |
| Night of 100 Stars III | 1990 | TV Movie | Herself |
| The More You Know | 1989 | TV Series | Herself |
| The 43rd Annual Tony Awards | 1989 | TV Special | Herself - Presenter: Best Direction of a Play |
| The 46th Annual Golden Globe Awards | 1989 | TV Special | Herself |
| The 41st Annual Tony Awards | 1987 | TV Special | Herself - Presenter: Best Featured Actess in a Play |
| The 40th Annual Tony Awards | 1986 | TV Special | Herself - Winner: Best Featured Actress in a Play |
| The 35th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1983 | TV Special | Herself - Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series |
| The 34th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1982 | TV Special | Herself - Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series |
| The 36th Annual Tony Awards | 1982 | TV Special | Herself - Presenter: American Theatre Wing |
| The 39th Annual Golden Globe Awards | 1982 | TV Special documentary | Herself - Presenter |
| The 35th Annual Tony Awards | 1981 | TV Special | Herself - Winner: Best Featured Actress in a Play |
| The 32nd Annual Tony Awards | 1978 | TV Special | Herself - Nominee: Best Featured Actress in a Play |
| To Tell the Truth | 1962 | TV Series | Herself |
Archive Footage
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entertainment Tonight | 2016 | TV Series | Herself |
Awards
Won Awards
| Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | OFTA Television Award | Online Film & Television Association | Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series | Huff (2004) |
| 1990 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series | Carol & Company (1990) |
Nominated Awards
| Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series | Huff (2004) |
| 2005 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series | Huff (2004) |
| 1998 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series | ER (1994) |
| 1998 | OFTA Television Award | Online Film & Television Association | Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series | ER (1994) |
| 1995 | CableACE | CableACE Awards | Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries | And the Band Played On (1993) |
| 1995 | Actor | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series | Sisters (1991) |
| 1994 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | Sisters (1991) |
| 1994 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special | And the Band Played On (1993) |
| 1993 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | Sisters (1991) |
| 1991 | CableACE | CableACE Awards | Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries | The Image (1990) |
| 1990 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special | The Image (1990) |
| 1989 | Golden Globe | Golden Globes, USA | Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television | Baja Oklahoma (1988) |
| 1989 | ACE | CableACE Awards | Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries | Baja Oklahoma (1988) |
| 1983 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Love, Sidney (1981) |
| 1982 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Love, Sidney (1981) |
Source: IMDb, Wikipedia
