Shining a spotlight on celebrities and athletes who love to travel. Created and developed by Stacy Steponate Greenberg.
Iron Man 3. Devil Wears Prada. Dinner With Schmucks. Diverse, fascinating, fun films that may have only one thing in common: The stunning Stephanie Szostak. Born and raised in France, Stephanie came to the US to play golf for the College of William and Mary, made her way to NYC, worked in marketing for Chanel, then quickly discovered a passion for acting and has been non-stop ever since. Now starring in the hit USA television series Satisfaction, the Overhead Compartment teed it up with this busy actress to find out a bit about her show, her life and, most importantly, get some golf tips.
The Overhead Compartment with Stephanie Szostak begins now….
OC: In Satisfaction, on USA Network, you play a married woman who takes up with a male escort. What did you think when you first read the script?
SS: I loved the script, the writing and the themes. Neil and Grace seemed real, their search was something relatable, and I was interested from the get-go in playing Grace and getting to know her. It seemed Neil and Grace were about to transform, they both had a secret hunger to discover the hidden worlds in themselves. And then, I also loved the humor in the pilot episode. My favorite scene ended up being the one where Neil, having his world turned upside down, visits the Zen Master. He struggles to answer his phone, condoms fall out of his pocket, and the Master tells him all of his answers are in a flower.
OC: How do people react when they recognize you from the show?
SS: One woman told me the show saved her marriage. “Wow!” I said “How?” She said they were dealing with infedelity and the show got them to talking and they were celebrating their 15th anniversary that day. That day I texted Sean Jablonski, our show creator, to tell him he made a difference in someone’s life.
OC: You’re from outside Paris. What are three things no visitor to that city should miss?
SS: The Picasso Museum, Montmartre and walking along the Seine banks. Walk everywhere you can. Walking is absolutely the best way to discover Paris.
OC: What is a restaurant no tourist ever goes to in Paris that you love? What do you order when you eat there?
SS: There is Lescure, rue de Mondovi, just off Place de la Concorde. Very small, crowded, with long communal tables. It’s a “country inn” that hasn’t changed an iota since my parents used to go there in the early 60’s. Except now it’s the grandkids and grand nieces and nephews of those that were there at that time. Typical country cooking, from the Limousin, just as it’s been for probably a couple of hundred years. It’s very well known to the folks who work nearby at the American Embassy and Consulate, and tourists do find it. Still, very few places in Paris that compare with authenticity and quality for the price.
OC: You moved to the US for college and played on the golf team. Do you still play? What is your handicap?
SS: I don’t play nearly as much as I used to but one of my highlights is my son caddying for me the past two years in our Club Championship (St. Andrews in Hastings on the Hudson). And, we are undefeated! I’m a 12 handicap now. I was a 5 in college and hopefully, will be able to reach single digits again someday.
OC: What is your favorite golf course in the US?
SS: Playing Pebble Beach was an incredible experience. I played with my husband 12 years ago, the whole experience was pure perfection. The course, the ocean, the caddies, the bag pipes at the restaurant when we were done.
OC: How about in Europe?
SS: My two favorite courses are in Northern Ireland. Royal County Down for its breathtaking scenery and Royal Portrush Golf Club where I felt at one with the course, nature and its ruggedness.
OC: What is the most interesting city your work has ever taken you to?
SS: About ten years ago, I did a short movie in Leviev in the Ukraine in the middle of winter. Frigid temperatures, ground covered in snow and a dreamy city that felt from another time. I remember people watching and thinking you could feel the weight of history on people’s faces. It’s a beautiful country. Hopefully its people can live in peace soon.
OC: Your show is shot in Atlanta. What do you do during your downtime there?
SS: I’m really enjoying my time in Atlanta! I live in the Inman Park area which is filled with restaurants and walking distance to other great little neighborhoods such as Virginia Highlands and Little Five Points. I’ve been to a couple of Braves games and have enjoyed riding my bike on the beltline, going to summer festivals and eating out of course!
OC: Favorite restaurant in Atlanta?
SS: Fat Matt’s for Ribs! Also, Rathbuns for steak and the outside bar at Canoe for oysters and rosé wine.
OC: You worked with Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada. What was it like working with such an icon?
SS: My first role in a studio movie and it was opposite Meryl Streep. I plastered my bathroom with pictures of her for weeks before so I wouldn’t be intimidated when I met her. When I did, she was just wonderful. I wrote her a card to let her know how amazing it was for me to work with her. I had a very small role with only two scenes. One of our scenes was a flashback with no dialogue but we both had a question about it. She said to me “let’s go ask the director” and she took me with her and said to the director “David, Stephanie and I both have a question”. An experience I will NEVER forget!
OC: What is the first thing you do when arriving in a hotel room?
SS: Check out the bathroom.
OC: Complete the following sentence: I never leave home:
SS: I never leave home without keys.
OC: One thing nobody in the world knew about me until right now:
SS: I have size 10 feet. You know what they say about women with big feet? Big heart.
Stephanie Szostak, please use care upon departure as items may have shifted in The Overhead Compartment during our journey. Thanks for choosing us for your travel tips! Have a wonderful day!
