When you think of FRIENDS, there’s a good chance your mind jumps to Phoebe Buffay strumming her guitar at Central Perk. Quirky, lovable, and just a little bit unpredictable, Phoebe became a fan favorite in no time. But behind that role is Lisa Kudrow, an actor whose career has quietly defied expectations.
She might not have the flashiest roles, but Kudrow’s choices have always leaned toward originality. And that’s something worth talking about.
A Career That Didn’t Begin in Acting
Red carpets were never part of Lisa Kudrow’s dream growing up. She graduated from Vassar College with a degree in biology and did medical research with her father, a physician. Acting wasn’t the plan; it was something that just blossomed over time. She tiptoed over and did some improv and trained with The Groundlings in L.A., and little by little found herself in television.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing from the outset. She had been (and even recast) in Frasier, lost out to a couple of significant parts, and spent some time waiting for her niche in Hollywood to really find her. But when she did, it was powerful.
How Phoebe Changed Everything
FRIENDS came along in 1994. Kudrow already had some traction playing Ursula, the eccentric waitress on Mad About You. The showrunners liked the character so much, they carried her over into FRIENDS as Phoebe’s twin sister.
Phoebe wasn’t your usual sitcom character. She was strange in the best way, full of odd stories and weirdly wise one-liners. Kudrow made her more than a punchline. There was always a heart beneath the weirdness, which is why so many people connected with her.
Lisa’s performance earned her an Emmy in 1998, and even though she didn’t always get the same spotlight as some of her co-stars, she was consistently strong throughout all ten seasons.
After FRIENDS: Unconventional, But Intentional
Once FRIENDS wrapped up in 2004, Kudrow didn’t jump into another mainstream sitcom. She went in a totally different direction with The Comeback—a show that was honestly way ahead of its time. It followed Valerie Cherish, a fading TV actress trying to make herself relevant again through reality TV. It was awkward, raw, and almost uncomfortable to watch—but that was the point.
The show didn’t get the love it deserved right away, but when it returned in 2014 for a second season, critics finally caught up. Kudrow’s performance was praised for being sharp and painfully real.
Then there was Web Therapy, another unusual project. She played Fiona Wallice, a therapist offering online sessions that are… less than helpful. It started as a web series and eventually made its way to Showtime. It was weird, funny, and completely different from the sitcom world.
Keeping Her Life Private
Kudrow’s always kept a fairly low profile outside of work. She married French advertising executive Michel Stern in 1995, and the two have one son, Julian. You won’t find her in the tabloids much, and that seems to be a conscious choice.
Even during the big FRIENDS Reunion in 2021, Kudrow came across as grounded and reflective. She didn’t try to steal the spotlight—just shared honest memories and gave the fans what they came for.
Still Creating, Still Curious
These days, Kudrow seems to prefer work behind the scenes. She’s been producing more, popping up in the occasional film or series (like Space Force), and lending her voice to animated shows. No big reinventions, no overexposure, just steady, thoughtful work.
What’s refreshing about her is that she doesn’t try to be everything at once. She picks her moments. And somehow, that feels more impressive than staying constantly in the spotlight.
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Final Thoughts
It’s easy to remember Lisa Kudrow as just Phoebe. That’s how many of us first met her. But once you look beyond the guitar and the offbeat humor, there’s a whole different side to her career.
Lisa Kudrow didn’t just “keep working after FRIENDS”—she carved out a space that’s entirely her own. One where oddball characters, dry humor, and real emotion come together in a way that few actors manage. And maybe that’s why she’s still relevant—not in a loud way, but in one that lasts.
Writer – Subham Choudhary