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Stephanie Courtney

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Stephanie Courtney
Born (1970-02-08) February 8, 1970 (age 54)
Stony Point, New York, U.S.
Alma materBinghamton University (BA)
Occupation(s)Actress, comedian
Years active1995–present
Known forFlo in Progressive Insurance ads
SpouseScott Kolanach (m. 2008)

Stephanie Courtney (born February 8, 1970)[1] is an American actress and comedian, best known for playing the advertising character Flo in television and radio commercials for Progressive Corporation beginning in 2008,[2] and noted for her recurring roles on several television series, including the voices of Renee the Receptionist and Joy Peters on the Adult Swim comedy Tom Goes to the Mayor (2004–06), Marge on the AMC drama Mad Men (2007); and Diane on the ABC comedy Cavemen (2007). She also appeared in the season 2 premiere of Men of a Certain Age. She also plays Essie Karp in The Goldbergs. Courtney was a member of The Groundlings, an improvisational and sketch comedy theater in Los Angeles, California.

Early life and education

Courtney was born in Stony Point, Rockland County, New York, the youngest of three children[3] of a high school history teacher father and a singer mother.[1] In 1992, she graduated from Binghamton University with a degree in English, where she played Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible. By then, she said, "I was never tortured over whether I wanted to become an actress. There was never another option in my mind."[4] After graduation, she moved to New York City, where her roommate was future author and columnist Meghan Daum.[1] While working as evening secretary for Smith Barney chairman Robert F. Greenhill, Courtney studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse.[1]

She moved to Los Angeles, where she roomed with her sister, actress Jennifer Courtney.[5] The two wrote and performed the sketch "Those Courtney Girls" in Los Angeles and at the Aspen Comedy Festival.[1] She joined the training program of the improvisational and sketch comedy group The Groundlings, and in 2004 became a member of its 30-person main company.[3] There she met the theater's lighting director, Scott Kolanach,[6] whom she married in 2008.[1]

During her early time in Los Angeles she worked odd jobs, including catering, to support herself.[3]

She has appeared in such films as The Brothers Solomon, Blades of Glory, The Heartbreak Kid, Melvin Goes to Dinner, and Fred: The Movie.

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1998 Sweet Bird of You Kate Short film
2003 Melvin Goes to Dinner Alex
2005 Broadcast 23 Mrs. Morgan Short film
2006 For Your Consideration Boom operator
2007 Blades of Glory Reporter at sign ups
2007 The Brothers Solomon Sara
2007 The Heartbreak Kid Gayla
2009 Coco Lipshitz: Behind the Laughter Karen Balsac Short film
2009 Christmas Eve: Alaska Melissa Short film
2010 Fred: The Movie Janet
2011 Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred Janet
2017 Girlfriend's Day Cathy Gile
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1998 Mr. Show with Bob and David Waitress Episode: "Eat Rotten Fruit from a Shitty Tree"
2000 Tenacious D Various Episode: "The Fan"
2001 Angel Gwen (Files and Records) Episode: "Dad"
2002 Everybody Loves Raymond Woman Episode: "Cookies"
2003 The Man Show Various Episode: "The New Guys"
2003 Sketch Pad Various Episode: "Roller"
2004 Significant Others Pam Episode: "A School, Not Cool & a Fool"
2004 Faking the Video Fake producer Main cast; 7 episodes
2004 Without a Trace Lynette Shaw Episode: "American Goddess"
2004–06 Tom Goes to the Mayor Various voices Main cast; 27 episodes
2005 ER Charlotte Episode: "Just as I Am"
2005 The Comeback Carolina 2 episodes
2006 Courting Alex Ticket agent Episode: "Birthday"
2006 Lovespring International Woman on tape Episode: "A Rear Window"
2006 Re-Animated Team member Donna Television film
2007 Celebrity Deathmatch Mischa Barton (voice) Episode: "The Beginning of Celebrity Deathmatch"
Tina Fey (voice) Episode: "The Banter Bloodbath"
2007 Mad Men Marge 5 episodes
2007–08 Cavemen Diane 3 episodes
2008 Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! Demons casting director Episode: "Robin"
2008 Kath & Kim Ruth Episode: "Money"
2009 United States of Tara Beth Episode: "Aftermath"
2010 The Jay Leno Show Leno family member Episode 75
2010 Sons of Tucson Denise Episode: "The Break-In"
2010 House Claire Episode: "Selfish"
2010 Men of a Certain Age Stephanie Episode: "If I Could, I Surely Would"
2011 The Looney Tunes Show Emma Webster (young Granny) Episode: "Eligible Bachelors"
2012 Fred: The Show Janet Main cast; 4 episodes
2012 Phineas and Ferb Additional voices Episode: "What'd I Miss?"
2014 2 Broke Girls Eleanor Episode: "And the Wedding Cake Cake Cake"
2014 Comedy Bang! Bang! Blanche Episode: "Fred Armisen Wears Black Jeans & Glasses"
2014 You're the Worst Bookstore manager 3 episodes
2015 Mike Tyson Mysteries Mrs. Ensler (voice) Episode: "Ty-Stunned"
2015 W/ Bob and David Jeannie Episode: "1.3"
2016 Major Crimes Dr. Deb Episode: "Off the Wagon"
2018-20 The Goldbergs Essie Karp 3 Seasons
2019 Green Eggs and Ham Various (voice) 4 episodes
2020 Mike Tyson Mysteries Alicia Stevenson (voice) Episode: "The Gift That Keeps on Giving"
Web
Year Title Role Notes
2007 Derek and Simon: The Show Glenda Episode: "Troubled Times: Part 2 – Murder & Deception"
2008 Face to Bush Mary McQueegle
2008–09 Back on Topps Debbie Topps

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Russell, Mallory (February 27, 2012). "Meet Progressive's Flo: Standup Comic Stephanie Courtney". Business Insider. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  2. ^ Elliott, Stuart (January 17, 2010). "Until Flo Ebbs, Progressive Will Capitalize on Her Popularity". The New York Times. Retrieved May 9, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c Hiltbrand, David (April 8, 2010). "Actress-comedian Stephanie Courtney finds her niche with insurance commercials". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  4. ^ Paknejad, Tina (Summer 2009). "Newly Famous Pitchwoman". Binghamton University Magazine. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010.
  5. ^ Rudolph, Heather Wood (April 6, 2015). "Get That Life: How I Became "Flo" From the Progressive Commercials". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  6. ^ Parsley, Aaron (September 2, 2009). "5 Things to Know About TV's Progressive Insurance Lady". People. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
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