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Swoosie Kurtz Bio
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Swoosie Kurtz
Swoosie (rhymes with Lucy) Kurtz was born September 6, 1944 in Omaha, Nebraska. Her father was Air Force Colonel Frank Kurtz, and her mother was an author, Margo Kurtz. She was their only child, and her distinctive first name came courtesy of her father. The only remaining B-17D Flying Fortress is on display at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, and it is named the Swoose—half swan and half goose. Her father piloted this plane during World War II and decided to name his only child after it. Moving often, as is so often the case with military families, Kurtz decided to attend University of Southern California majoring in drama. Shortly after, she joined the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
Kurtz landed her first television break at the age of 18 when she appeared opposite her father on the game show To Tell the Truth. In a more typical acting role, she appeared on the soap opera As the World Turns in 1971. She worked steadily fulfilling bit parts throughout the rest of the 70s, including a part in the 1977 comedy Slap Shot starring Paul Newman. She also had a small role in the widely paned sequel to Love Story entitled Oliver’s Story with Ryan ONeal and Candice Bergen.
However, 1979 would be the first time Kurtz was widely acknowledged and praised by critics and the public. She starred opposite Meryl Streep in the Wendy Wasserstein play Uncommon Women…and Others. Just a few short years later in 1982, Kurtz would again enjoy critical acclaim, but this time to a much larger degree than she had ever experienced. She starred in the TV film Fifth of July as well as the Broadway production for which she was awarded the prestigious “triple crown” of acting. That feat entailed winning the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle award.
Her next outing was also very successful, playing the prostitute in the film adaptation of John Irving’s novel The World According to Garp. This film starred Robin Williams with John Lithgow and Glenn Close in supporting roles, the latter two earning Oscar nominations.
From 1981 to 1983, Kurtz took a role in the television series Love, Sidney, which is memorable for featuring the first gay character in a leading role. Kurtz was nominated for the Emmy (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series) in 1982 and 1983.
For Kurtz, theater was the ultimate acting experience, and this is exactly what dominated much of her time in the 80s. In 1986, she appeared as Bananas in The House of Blue Leaves for which she won her second Tony. She also had notable film appearances including Dangerous Liaisons with Michelle Pfeiffer, John Malkovich, Glenn Close, and up and coming stars Keanu Reeves and Uma Thurman.
But it was the early 90s that made Kurtz a household name. She landed a leading role in the popular television series Sisters along with Julianne Phillips, Patricia Kalember, Sela Ward and Ashley Judd. The show ran from 1991 to 1996, and Kurtz was the only “sister” to appear in every single episode. For her efforts, Kurtz was nominated for Emmys in 1993 and 1994. (Ward won an Emmy for her role in 1994.)
After the ending of Sisters, Kurtz has managed to maintain a successful career, but it is dominated by smaller supporting roles. Of particular note have been her appearances on the television series Carol and Company (for which she won an Emmy), her role in the sitcom Still Standing and a recurring part in the critically acclaimed Huff.
Others may recognize her for her film work in Reality Bites (1994), Liar Liar (1997) with Jim Carrey, Cruel Intentions (the 1999 remake of her earlier film Dangerous Liaisons), Bubble Boy (2001) and The Duplex (2003).
Kurtz has never been married nor does she have any children.
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Swoosie Kurtz - Appeared with Mitch Ryan in Liar Liar |
Swoosie Kurtz - Starred in 'Slap Shot' with Paul Newman .
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Swoosie Kurtz - Starred in 'Oliver's Story' with Candice Bergen .
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Swoosie Kurtz - Starred in the play 'Uncommon Women .... and Others' with Meryl Streep .
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