Stephanie Courtney


Stephanie Courtney 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, 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, Marge on the AMC drama Mad Men ; and Diane on the ABC comedy Cavemen. 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 of a high school history teacher father and a singer mother. 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." After graduation, she moved to New York City, where her roommate was future author and columnist Meghan Daum. While working as evening secretary for Smith Barney chairman Robert F. Greenhill, Courtney studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse.
She moved to Los Angeles, where she roomed with her sister, actress Jennifer Courtney. The two wrote and performed the sketch "Those Courtney Girls" in Los Angeles and at the Aspen Comedy Festival. 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. There she met the theater's lighting director, Scott Kolanach, whom she married in 2008.
During her early time in Los Angeles she worked odd jobs, including catering, to support herself.
She has appeared in such films as The Brothers Solomon, Blades of Glory, The Heartbreak Kid, Melvin Goes to Dinner, and .

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1998Mr. Show with Bob and DavidWaitressEpisode: "Eat Rotten Fruit from a Shitty Tree"
2000Tenacious DVariousEpisode: "The Fan"
2001AngelGwen Episode: "Dad"
2002Everybody Loves RaymondWomanEpisode: "Cookies"
2003'VariousEpisode: "The New Guys"
2003Sketch PadVariousEpisode: "Roller"
2004Significant OthersPamEpisode: "A School, Not Cool & a Fool"
2004Faking the VideoFake producerMain cast; 7 episodes
2004Without a TraceLynette ShawEpisode: "American Goddess"
2004–06Tom Goes to the MayorVarious voicesMain cast; 27 episodes
2005ERCharlotteEpisode: "Just as I Am"
2005'Carolina2 episodes
2006Courting AlexTicket agentEpisode: "Birthday"
2006Lovespring InternationalWoman on tapeEpisode: "A Rear Window"
2006Re-AnimatedTeam member DonnaTelevision film
2007Celebrity DeathmatchMischa Barton Episode: "The Beginning of Celebrity Deathmatch"
2007Celebrity DeathmatchTina Fey Episode: "The Banter Bloodbath"
2007Mad MenMarge5 episodes
2007–08CavemenDiane3 episodes
2008Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!Demons casting directorEpisode: "Robin"
2008Kath & KimRuthEpisode: "Money"
2009United States of TaraBethEpisode: "Aftermath"
2010'Leno family memberEpisode 75
2010Sons of TucsonDeniseEpisode: "The Break-In"
2010HouseClaireEpisode: "Selfish"
2010Men of a Certain AgeStephanieEpisode: "If I Could, I Surely Would"
2011'Emma Webster Episode: "Eligible Bachelors"
2012JanetMain cast; 4 episodes
2012Phineas and FerbAdditional voicesEpisode: "What'd I Miss?"
20142 Broke GirlsEleanorEpisode: "And the Wedding Cake Cake Cake"
2014Comedy Bang! Bang!BlancheEpisode: "Fred Armisen Wears Black Jeans & Glasses"
2014You're the WorstBookstore manager3 episodes
2015Mike Tyson MysteriesMrs. Ensler Episode: "Ty-Stunned"
2015W/ Bob and DavidJeannieEpisode: "1.3"
2016Major CrimesDr. DebEpisode: "Off the Wagon"
2018-20The GoldbergsEssie Karp3 Seasons
2019Green Eggs and HamVarious 4 episodes
2020Mike Tyson MysteriesAlicia Stevenson Episode: "The Gift That Keeps on Giving"

YearTitleRoleNotes
2007Derek and Simon: The ShowGlendaEpisode: "Troubled Times: Part 2 – Murder & Deception"
2008Face to BushMary McQueegle
2008–09Back on ToppsDebbie Topps