American actress and comedian (born 1970)
Stephanie Courtney
Born (1970-02-08 ) February 8, 1970 (age 54) Alma mater Binghamton University (BA )Occupation(s) Actress, comedian Years active 1998–present Known for Portraying Flo in Progressive Insurance ads Spouse Scott Kolanach (m. 2008) Relatives Jennifer 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]
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
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"
2004–2006
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 , Tina Fey
Voice, 2 episodes
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)
Voice, episode: "Eligible Bachelors"
2011
Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred
Janet
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, 2020
Mike Tyson Mysteries
Mrs. Ensler, Alicia Stevenson
Voice, 2 episodes
2015
W/ Bob and David
Jeannie
Episode: "1.3"
2016
Major Crimes
Dr. Deb
Episode: "Off the Wagon"
2018-2023
The Goldbergs
Essie Karp
Recurring, 31 episodes
2019
Green Eggs and Ham
Various
Voice, 4 episodes
References
^ 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 .
^ Elliott, Stuart (January 17, 2010). "Until Flo Ebbs, Progressive Will Capitalize on Her Popularity" . The New York Times . Retrieved May 9, 2010 .
^ Weaver, Caity (November 25, 2023). "Everybody Knows Flo From Progressive. Who Is Stephanie Courtney?" . The New York Times . Retrieved November 30, 2023 .
^ 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 .
^ Paknejad, Tina (Summer 2009). "Newly Famous Pitchwoman" . Binghamton University Magazine . Archived from the original on May 28, 2010.
^ Rudolph, Heather Wood (April 6, 2015). "Get That Life: How I Became "Flo" From the Progressive Commercials" . Cosmopolitan . Retrieved April 9, 2015 .
^ Parsley, Aaron (September 2, 2009). "5 Things to Know About TV's Progressive Insurance Lady" . People . Retrieved October 2, 2019 .
External links
International National People