Stephanie Courtney (born February 8, 1970) 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.
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. 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. After graduation, she moved to New York City, where her roommate was future author and columnist Meghan Daum. While working as a 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 films including The Brothers Solomon, Blades of Glory, The Heartbreak Kid, Melvin Goes to Dinner, and Fred: The Movie.
Filmography +Film Year Title Role Notes1998Sweet Bird of YouKateShort film2003Melvin Goes to DinnerAlex2005Broadcast 23Mrs. MorganShort film2006For Your ConsiderationBoom operator2007Blades of GloryReporter at sign ups2007Sara2007Gayla2009Coco Lipshitz: Behind the LaughterKaren BalsacShort film2009Christmas Eve: AlaskaMelissaShort film2010Fred: The MovieJanet2017Girlfriend's DayCathy Gile2023Peak SeasonLydia Friedman
+Television Year Title Role Notes1998Mr. Show with Bob and DavidWaitressEpisode: "Eat Rotten Fruit from a Shitty Tree"2000Tenacious DVariousEpisode: "The Fan"2001AngelGwen (Files and Records)Episode: "Dad"2002Everybody Loves RaymondWomanEpisode: "Cookies"2003VariousEpisode: "The New Guys"2003Sketch PadVariousEpisode: "Roller"2004Significant OthersPamEpisode: "A School, Not Cool & a Fool"2004Faking the VideoFake producerMain cast; 7 episodes2004Without a TraceLynette ShawEpisode: "American Goddess"2004–2006Tom Goes to the MayorVarious voicesMain cast; 27 episodes2005ERCharlotteEpisode: "Just as I Am"2005Carolina2 episodes2006Courting AlexTicket agentEpisode: "Birthday"2006Lovespring InternationalWoman on tapeEpisode: "A Rear Window"2006Re-AnimatedTeam member DonnaTelevision film 2007 Celebrity DeathmatchMischa Barton, Tina FeyVoice, 2 episodes2007Mad MenMarge5 episodes2007–08CavemenDiane3 episodes2008Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!Demons casting directorEpisode: "Robin"2008Kath & KimRuthEpisode: "Money"2009United States of TaraBethEpisode: "Aftermath"2010Leno family memberEpisode 752010Sons of TucsonDeniseEpisode: "The Break-In"2010HouseClaireEpisode: "Selfish"2010Men of a Certain AgeStephanieEpisode: "If I Could, I Surely Would"2011Emma Webster (young Granny)Voice, episode: "Eligible Bachelors"2011Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred Janet2012Fred: The ShowJanetMain cast; 4 episodes2012Phineas 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 episodes2015, 2020Mike Tyson MysteriesMrs. Ensler, Alicia StevensonVoice, 2 episodes2015W/ Bob and DavidJeannieEpisode: "1.3"2016Major CrimesDr. DebEpisode: "Off the Wagon"2018–23The GoldbergsEssie KarpRecurring, 31 episodes2018, 2024Blaze and the Monster MachinesCousin TillyVoice, 2 episodes2019Green Eggs and HamVariousVoice, 4 episodes
+ Web Year Title Role Notes2007Derek and Simon: The ShowGlendaEpisode: "Troubled Times: Part 2 – Murder & Deception"2008Face to BushMary McQueegle2008–09Back on ToppsDebbie Topps
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