- Born
- Birth nameSwoosie Trust Kurtz
- Height5′ 4″ (1.63 m)
- Swoosie is the only child of author Margo and Frank Kurtz. As her father was a colonel in the U.S. Air Force, she moved often during her school years, living in eight different states. At the University of Southern California she majored in drama; later she attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, collected Broadway's "triple crown" (the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards) for her portrayal of Gwen in Lanford Wilson's "The Fifth of July". Since then she has appeared in many TV shows and movies, and received several Emmy and Golden Globe nominations and an Emmy for her guest-starring performance on Carol Burnett's comedy series Carol & Company (1990).- IMDb mini biography by: Tom Zoerner <Tom.Zoerner@informatik.uni-erlangen.de>
- ChildrenNo Children
- ParentsFrank KurtzMargo Rogers
- Her name "Swoosie" is derived from "Swoose" - half swan, half goose - which was the name of the B-17D bomber that her father piloted in World War II. This same aircraft (USAAC 40-3097) once carried future-president Lyndon B. Johnson back to Australia from Port Moresby, New Guinea, after he rode as a Navy observer on a B-26 raid on Lae. It is now owned by the National Air and Space Museum in Washington.
- In 1962, Swoosie and her father both appeared on the game show To Tell the Truth (1956). Col. Kurtz was the contestant, and 18-year-old Swoosie came out at the end of the game to identify her father by handing him his uniform jacket.
- Has twice won Broadway's Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role - Play): in 1981 for "The Fifth of July" and in 1986 for "The House of Blue Leaves." She was also nominated two other times: in 1978 as Best Actress (Featured Role - Play) for "Tartuffe," and in 2004 as Best Actress (Play) for "Frozen."
- Appeared both in Dangerous Liaisons (1988), and a remake, Cruel Intentions (1999), in different roles.
- Played Terry O'Quinn's mother in the Lost (2004) episode, Deus Ex Machina (2005), being just 8 years older than him.
- [on her name] "Change it to what - Tiffany? It's been an advantage. It's unforgettable. I'm the only one."
- I try to tell myself I'm not schizophrenic. But when I'm not acting, I'm not alive. Everyday is just not heightened enough for me. I'm more focused, more interesting when I'm working.
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