Tony Winner Swoosie Kurtz Guests on Showtime's "Huff"

By Andrew Gans
January 2, 2005

Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress Swoosie Kurtz, most recently on Broadway in Frozen, will guest star on the new Showtime drama "Huff" Jan. 2, 2005.

Kurtz will play Madeline, Beth's mother who is battling cancer, in the ninth episode of the 13-part series. The episode, which is titled "Christmas Is Ruined," is described on the series' official website: "Huff's optimistic enthusiasm for this year's Christmas celebration meets its match when Beth's family, including her sick mother and competitive sister, arrive for the festivities. Izzy strains to be hospitable and good-natured, particularly when Russell comes with an unusual date, and pays one last visit to her best friend in the hospital. Byrd plays host of his own when his lost flame Gail shows up with an unexpected present." Kurtz will also appear in the 12th and 13th episodes of the new series.

Hank Azaria plays the title character in the Showtime drama, Dr. Craig "Huff" Huffstodt, "a family man and a successful psychiatrist who gets a wake-up call after a tragedy occurs with one of his patients. His whole existence — as a doctor, husband, father, son and brother — will go through a reawakening, and life will never be quite the same again for anyone." The series also stars Paget Brewster as Beth Huffstodt, Anton Yelchin as Byrd Huffstodt, Andy Comeau as Teddy Huffstodt, Kimberly Brooks as Paula Dellahouse, Blythe Danner as Izzy Huffstodt and Oliver Platt as Russell Tupper.

Swoosie Kurtz has starred on Broadway in Frozen (Tony nomination), Imaginary Friends, Love Letters, The House of Blue Leaves (Tony Award), Fifth of July (Tony Award), A History of the American Film, Tartuffe (Tony nomination), and Ah, Wilderness! She just joined the cast of Off Broadway's Frozen, which begins performances at the East 13th Street Theatre Feb. 25, 2004. Marsha Mason's Broadway credits include The Night of the Iguana, The Good Doctor and Happy Birthday, Wanda June. She received Academy Award nominations for her performances in "Only When I Laugh," "Chapter Two," "The Goodbye Girl" and "Cinderella Liberty."

"Huff" airs Sunday nights on Showtime at 10 PM ET. Visit www.sho.com for more information.