Swoosie is the only child of author Margo and Air Force Colonel Frank Kurtz. Due to her father's job she moved 17 times during school, lived in 8 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 achieved much: has appeared in many TV shows and movies, got several Emmy and Golden Globe nominations and an Emmy for her guest-starring performance on Carol Burnett's comedy series Carol & Company.
Her name "Swoosie" is derived from the air plane "Swoose" - half swan, half goose - which her father piloted in WW-II. In 1962, Swoosie and her father both appeared on the game show "To Tell The Truth". 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. May 28, 1991: Starred in the first production of Terrence McNally's play "Lips Together, Teeth Apart" with Nathan Lane, Christine Baranski, and Anthony Heald. 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."