Stephanie Kurtzuba is an American film, television, and theater actress. She is best known for her roles in the films The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), Annie (2014), and The Irishman (2019), and on television in recurring roles on The Good Wife and Blue Bloods.
Early life and education Kurtzuba, who is of Polish heritage, was raised in Omaha, Nebraska, where she graduated from Omaha Central High School.Leo Adam Biga, "From Bowling Alley, to Broadway, and Back," Omaha Magazine, August 8, 2016. Retrieved January 20, 2022 Growing up, she performed in local theater productions, with her first role at the age of 10 as an orphan pickpocket in the musical Oliver, and won the Miss Nebraska Pre-Teen pageant.Bob Fischbach, "Central grad, 'Annie,' 'Wolf of Wall Street' actress also co-owns Omaha bowling alley," Omaha World-Herald, December 23, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2022 She briefly attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where she studied journalism, before being accepted to New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where she earned an acting degree.
Career Theater After graduating, she spent time performing in experimental off-off-Broadway productions, before going into commercial theater. Her first Broadway show was as part of a backup trio to Hugh Jackman in The Boy from Oz in 2003.Ben Brantley, "Flash Of 70's Sequins," New York Times, October 17, 2003. As a member of the original Broadway casts of Mary Poppins in 2006 and Billy Elliot the Musical in 2008, she performed at the 2007 and 2009 Tony Awards. Her Off-Broadway credits include the 2018 revival of Stephen Adly Guirgis' Our Lady of 121st St., directed by Phylicia Rashad for Signature Theatre, The Joys of Sex, directed by Jeremy Dobrish for Variety Arts Theater, and Bat Boy: The Musical, directed by Scott Schwartz at the Union Square Theatre.
Film Kurtzuba portrayed Mrs. Kovacevic, a social services clerk with a Russian accent, in the 2014 film adaptation of Annie. Her performance was praised in the Los Angeles TimesBetsy Sharkey, "An 'Annie' without the expected sunshine, spirit or energy," Los Angeles Times, December 18, 2014. and Variety.Ronnie Scheib, "Film Review: 'Annie'," Variety, December 14, 2014. She is featured on the song "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here" on the Annie soundtrack album.Halee Makhan, "'Annie: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack' is Set to Drop on November 17," The Source, October 23, 2014. In The Wolf of Wall Street, directed by Martin Scorsese, she played Kimmie Belzer, a single mom hired by Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) and the only female stockbroker at the company.Corinna Clendenen, "The Wolf of Wall Street – Saint or Sinner?" HuffPost, January 6, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2022 In the Scorsese Netflix film The Irishman, starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, she portrays Irene, the wife of De Niro's character."Who Is Wealthy Widow Rebecca Lexington on 'Bull'? Stephanie Kurtzuba," 2paragraphs, January 23, 2018. She also appeared in Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close and Away We Go opposite John Krasinski.
Television Kurtzuba had recurring roles as Olivia on The Good Wife on CBS, as Sergeant (and later Captain) Paula McNichols on Blue Bloods, as cult member Sabrina on The Leftovers on HBO, and on the Paramount Network miniseries Waco. She has also appeared on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit on NBC, Elementary on CBS, and Bull on CBS.
Personal life Kurtzuba married Joshua Coakley in 2005. They met when Kurtzuba was performing in a show at the Alley Theatre in Houston, and Coakley was working on the show in the props department. They live in New York City and have two sons.
Kurtzuba co-owns West Lanes Bowling Center in Omaha with her father and two siblings. Her maternal grandparents built the bowling alley in 1955.
Kurtzuba is also a model and has been the spokesperson for Red Baron Pizza since 2017.
Filmography Film Year Title Role 2004 Knots Sheila 2008 Parting Words Brenda Turko 2009 Away We Go Performance Mom 2011 Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close Elaine Black 2013 The Wolf of Wall Street Kimmie Belzer 2014 Before I Disappear Blonde Woman Annie Mrs. Kovacevic2018 To Dust Receptionist2019 Bad Education Carol Schweitzer The Irishman Irene Sheeran2023 The Machine LeeAnn Kreischer Fish Out of Water Brenda2024 Fly Me to the Moon Jolene Vanning A Christmas in New Hope Jackie Zinn
Television Year Title Role Notes 2004 Law & Order Janet Episode: The Brotherhood"2006 Related Waitress Episode: "His Name Is Ruth" Numb3rs Publicist Episode: "All's Fair"2010–2014 The Good Wife Olivia Suconik 4 episodes2013 Elementary Eileen Rourke Episode: "Risk Management" Do No Harm Nadia Cross Episode: "Six Feet Deep"2014 The Leftovers Sabrina 2 episodes Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Joan Harris Episode: "Glasgowman's Wrath"2016 Chicago P.D. Detective Ricci Episode: "The Silos"2017 #MotherJudger Deb Web series2018 Bull Rebecca Lexington Episode: "Kill Shot" Waco Carol Noesner Miniseries; 3 episodes The Good CopEvelynEpisode: "Will Cora Get Married?"2019 The Enemy WithinDesiree VillarealEpisode: "An Offer" The Good FightOlivia SuconikEpisode: "The One Where Diane and Liz Topple Democracy" 2019–2024 Blue Bloods Sergeant/Captain Paula McNichols Recurring 2020 Grey's Anatomy Opal 2 episodes2021 Station 19 Opal Episode: "Train in Vain"Dynasty Katie Loftland 2 episodes2021The Blacklist Eva Mason Episode: "Eva Mason (No. 181)"The Watcher Helen Graff Episode: "Götterdämmerung" 2022–2023Tulsa King Clara Truisi Recurring2025–presentYour Friends & Neighbors Diane Miller Recurring 2025 Task Donna 2 episodes
Theatre Year Title Role Notes 2001 Bat Boy: The MusicalShelly (u/s)Off-Broadway 2003–2004 The Boy from Oz Trio member / EnsembleJudy Garland (u/s) Broadway 2004 The Joys of SexStephs Nolton/Gladys/BrandiOff-Broadway 2004–2005 NewsicalPerformerOff-Broadway 2005 A Mother, A Daughter, and A GunEleanor/CherylJess (u/s)Off-Broadway 2006–2007 Mary Poppins Swing Broadway 2008–2009 Billy Elliot the Musical Lesley / Dancer / EnsembleDead Mum (u/s) Broadway 2018 Our Lady of 121st StreetMarciaOff-Broadway
References
External links Official website