She has one of the most recognizable faces and voices on television, thanks to her spunky, sometimes over-the-top persona. The woman who portrays her is a talented actor named Stephanie Courtney. Despite this, she wasn’t yet known as the quirky, red-lipped insurance agent. Before being hired by Progressive in 2007, Courtney worked in various roles within the entertainment industry. 

Stephanie Courtney was born in New York in 1970. She was the youngest of three siblings, and her family lived 30 miles away from Manhattan. Her mother, a singer, heavily influenced her while growing up, and this led to

Courtney loves everything related to musical theater. 

During her school years, she frequently tried out for various musicals and plays and thoroughly enjoyed the theater experience.

Stephanie Courtney completed her studies at Binghamton University and pursued stand-up comedy.

She hit a milestone when she starred in her first national commercial for Bud Light during the SuperBowl in 1999. 

In the subsequent years, Stephanie auditioned for multiple TV and film roles, eventually landing minor parts in shows such as “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “ER.” Stephanie Courtney’s first recurring role was in “Tom Goes to the Mayor,” an animated series on Adult Swim. It wasn’t until 2004 that she got the part. Courtney played Joy Peters and even had her music video.

She starred in 27 episodes from 2004 to 2006. 

After a non-speaking part in a Bud Light commercial, Courtney got a more significant role in a Skittles ad. 

Courtney has done commercials for companies like McDonald’s, Glade, and General Mills. She almost got the role of Toyota Jan in the carmaker’s ads, but Laurel Coppock got it instead. Her most significant career break came in 2007 when she became Flo in the Progressive commercials. 

Stephanie Courtney is married to Scott Kolanach and is a mom.

While Courtney was working with The Groundlings in Los Angeles, she met Scott Kolanach, who worked in lighting.

They waited a bit before having their first child when Courtney turned 40. She mentioned to Cosmopolitan that she booked Flo when she was almost 38 and was calmer since she got these things later in life. They got married when Courtney was 35.   Courtney admits to being a late bloomer but still enjoys her life.