Stephanie Courtney

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Stephanie Courtney
Born (1970-02-08) February 8, 1970 (age 54)
Alma mater Binghamton University (BA)
Occupation(s)Actress, comedian
Years active1998–present
Known forPortraying Flo in Progressive Insurance ads
SpouseScott Kolanach (m. 2008)
RelativesJennifer Courtney (sister)

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] [3]

Contents

Courtney is also 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 (2004–2006), 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, and played 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 of a high-school history teacher father and a singer mother. [4] [1] In 1992, she graduated with a degree in English from Binghamton University, where she played Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible, affirming her decision to be an actress. [5] After graduation, she moved to New York City, where her roommate was future author and columnist Meghan Daum. [1] While working as a 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. [6] 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. [4] There she met the theater's lighting director, Scott Kolanach, [7] whom she married in 2008. [1]

During her early time in Los Angeles she worked odd jobs, including catering, to support herself. [4]

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
YearTitleRoleNotes
1998Sweet Bird of YouKateShort film
2003 Melvin Goes to Dinner Alex
2005Broadcast 23Mrs. MorganShort 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
2009Coco Lipshitz: Behind the LaughterKaren BalsacShort film
2009Christmas Eve: AlaskaMelissaShort film
2010 Fred: The Movie Janet
2017 Girlfriend's Day Cathy Gile
Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
1998 Mr. Show with Bob and David WaitressEpisode: "Eat Rotten Fruit from a Shitty Tree"
2000 Tenacious D VariousEpisode: "The Fan"
2001 Angel Gwen (Files and Records)Episode: "Dad"
2002 Everybody Loves Raymond WomanEpisode: "Cookies"
2003 The Man Show VariousEpisode: "The New Guys"
2003Sketch PadVariousEpisode: "Roller"
2004 Significant Others PamEpisode: "A School, Not Cool & a Fool"
2004 Faking the Video Fake producerMain cast; 7 episodes
2004 Without a Trace Lynette ShawEpisode: "American Goddess"
2004–2006 Tom Goes to the Mayor Various voicesMain cast; 27 episodes
2005 ER CharlotteEpisode: "Just as I Am"
2005 The Comeback Carolina2 episodes
2006 Courting Alex Ticket agentEpisode: "Birthday"
2006 Lovespring International Woman on tapeEpisode: "A Rear Window"
2006 Re-Animated Team member DonnaTelevision film
2007 Celebrity Deathmatch Mischa Barton, Tina Fey Voice, 2 episodes
2007 Mad Men Marge5 episodes
2007–08 Cavemen Diane3 episodes
2008 Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! Demons casting directorEpisode: "Robin"
2008 Kath & Kim RuthEpisode: "Money"
2009 United States of Tara BethEpisode: "Aftermath"
2010 The Jay Leno Show Leno family memberEpisode 75
2010 Sons of Tucson DeniseEpisode: "The Break-In"
2010 House ClaireEpisode: "Selfish"
2010 Men of a Certain Age StephanieEpisode: "If I Could, I Surely Would"
2011 The Looney Tunes Show Emma Webster (young Granny) Voice, episode: "Eligible Bachelors"
2011 Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred Janet
2012 Fred: The Show JanetMain cast; 4 episodes
2012 Phineas and Ferb Additional voicesEpisode: "What'd I Miss?"
2014 2 Broke Girls EleanorEpisode: "And the Wedding Cake Cake Cake"
2014 Comedy Bang! Bang! BlancheEpisode: "Fred Armisen Wears Black Jeans & Glasses"
2014 You're the Worst Bookstore manager3 episodes
2015, 2020 Mike Tyson Mysteries Mrs. Ensler, Alicia StevensonVoice, 2 episodes
2015 W/ Bob and David JeannieEpisode: "1.3"
2016 Major Crimes Dr. DebEpisode: "Off the Wagon"
2018-2023 The Goldbergs Essie KarpRecurring, 31 episodes
2019 Green Eggs and Ham VariousVoice, 4 episodes
Web
YearTitleRoleNotes
2007 Derek and Simon: The Show GlendaEpisode: "Troubled Times: Part 2 – Murder & Deception"
2008Face to BushMary McQueegle
2008–09 Back on Topps Debbie Topps

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 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. Weaver, Caity (November 25, 2023). "Everybody Knows Flo From Progressive. Who Is Stephanie Courtney?". The New York Times . Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 Hiltbrand, David (April 8, 2010). "Actress-comedian Stephanie Courtney finds her niche with insurance commercials". The Washington Post . Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  5. Paknejad, Tina (Summer 2009). "Newly Famous Pitchwoman". Binghamton University Magazine. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010.
  6. Rudolph, Heather Wood (April 6, 2015). "Get That Life: How I Became "Flo" From the Progressive Commercials". Cosmopolitan . Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  7. Parsley, Aaron (September 2, 2009). "5 Things to Know About TV's Progressive Insurance Lady". People . Retrieved October 2, 2019.