Lisa Valerie Kudrow (born July 30, 1963) is an American actress best known for playing the role of Phoebe Buffay and her twin sister, Ursula, on Friends. Along with the rest of the main cast, she participated in the 2021 reunion special Friends: The Reunion.
Biography[]
Lisa's Early life[]
Lisa Kudrow was born in Encino, California, the daughter of Nedra (née Stern), a travel agent, and Lee Kudrow, a headache specialist and physician. She was raised in an upper-middle class Jewish family and has an older sister, Helene Marla, and an older brother, neurologist David Kudrow. She is the niece of composer/conductor Harold Farberman. After attending Portola Middle School in Tarzana, California, she graduated from Taft High School in Woodland Hills, California, and later received her B.S. from Vassar College in Biology in 1985. She also took guitar lessons as a child and is left-handed.
Career[]
Kudrow originally intended to follow in her father's footsteps - researching headaches. However, she was 'discovered' and began her career as an actress. Kudrow began her comedic career as a member of The Groundlings, joining the ranks of those such as Will Ferrell and Janeane Garofalo. Briefly, Lisa joined with Conan O'Brien and director Tim Hillman in the short-lived improv troupe Unexpected Company. She was also the only regular female member of The Transformers Comedy Troupe, a group directed by Stan Wells that currently plays at the Empty Stage Comedy Theatre. She played a role in an episode of Cheers opposite Woody Boyd. She tried out for Saturday Night Live in 1990, but the show chose Julia Sweeney instead. She had a recurring role in Bob, Bob Newhart's third CBS outing, but her character was eliminated at the end of the first season. She was hired to play the role of Roz in Frasier, but the part was re-cast during the filming of the pilot episode because producers didn't think she was right for the part. However, one of the people working on Frasier also worked on Friends and suggested Lisa audition for the show. Her first major television role was Ursula Buffay, the eccentric waitress on Mad About You (this character would later appear in 'Friends' as Phoebe's twin sister).
Despite the previous lack of success, this role led to her starring role on Friends as Phoebe Buffay, a role for which she won the 1998 Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She played the character from 1994 until the show ended in 2004. The program was hugely successful and Kudrow, along with her co-stars, gained wide renown among television viewers. She was the most Emmy-nominated cast member of the show, totaling six nominations. Kudrow received a salary of one million dollars per episode for the last two seasons of Friends. According to the Guinness World Book of Records (2005), Kudrow (along with her female co-stars) became the highest paid TV actress of all time with her $1 million-per-episode paycheck for the tenth season of Friends.
Her film credits include comedic roles in Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, Hanging Up, Marci X, Analyze This and its sequel Analyze That. However, Kudrow has also starred in dramatic roles including the biopic Wonderland about the late porn star John Holmes. She has garnered critical acclaim in mostly dramatic roles for writer-director Don Roos in the films The Opposite of Sex and Happy Endings. After 'Friends', Kudrow portrayed Valerie Cherish, the main character on the HBO original series The Comeback. The series premiered on HBO on June 5, 2005. She also served as co-creator, writer, and executive producer. The show, about a has-been sitcom star trying for a comeback, was not renewed for a second season. Kudrow received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on The Comeback, making her the first Friends cast member to receive a major award nomination since Friends ended.
She has also been a voice over for the animated series Hercules, as Aphrodite. Her most recent work is in the movie adaptation of the bestselling novel, PS, I Love You alongside Hilary Swank, in which she plays a supporting role as Denise. Also, she was the voice of the female grizzly bear Ava in the 2001 film sequel Dr. Dolittle 2, starring alongside Steve Zahn (voice) and Eddie Murphy.
In May 2021, she participated in the special episode Friends: The Reunion.
Personal life[]
Kudrow had a relationship with Conan O'Brien until he moved to New York to host his TV show beginning in 1993. On May 27, 1995, Lisa became the first "Friend" to marry when she wed Michel Stern, a French advertising executive. They have had one son, Julian Murray (born May 7, 1998). Lisa's pregnancy was written into Friends with her character Phoebe having triplets as a surrogate parent for her brother. It's been noted that she is a fan of Sheryl Crow and Shania Twain music.
Official Account[]
Filmography[]
Film[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Overdrawn at the Memory Bank | Extra | |
| 1986 | America 3000 | Warrior Women Leader | Uncredited |
| 1989 | L.A. on $5 a Day | Charmer | |
| 1991 | To the Moon, Alice | Friend of Perky Girl | Short film |
| The Unborn | Louisa | ||
| 1992 | Dance with Death | Millie | |
| In the Heat of Passion | Esther | ||
| 1994 | In the Heat of Passion 2: Unfaithful | Teller | |
| 1995 | The Crazysitter | Adrian Wexler-Jones | |
| 1996 | Mother | Linda | |
| 1997 | Romy and Michele's High School Reunion | Michele Weinberger | |
| Clockwatchers | Paula | ||
| Hacks | Reading Woman | ||
| 1998 | The Opposite of Sex | Lucia DeLury | |
| 1999 | Analyze This | Laura MacNamara Sobel | |
| 2000 | Hanging Up | Maddy Mozell | |
| Lucky Numbers | Crystal | ||
| 2001 | All Over the Guy | Marie | |
| Dr. Dolittle 2 | Ava | Voice | |
| 2002 | Bark! | Dr. Darla Portnoy | |
| Analyze That | Laura Sobel | ||
| 2003 | Marci X | Marci Field | |
| Wonderland | Sharon Holmes | ||
| 2005 | Happy Endings | Mamie | |
| 2007 | Kabluey | Leslie | |
| P.S. I Love You | Denise | ||
| 2009 | Hotel for Dogs | Lois Scudder | |
| Powder Blue | Sally | ||
| Paper Man | Claire Dunn | ||
| Bandslam | Karen Burton | ||
| The Other Woman | Dr. Carolyn Soule | ||
| 2010 | Easy A | Mrs. Griffith | |
| 2014 | Neighbors | Carol Gladstone | |
| 2016 | El Americano: The Movie | Lucille | Voice |
| Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising | Carol Gladstone | ||
| The Girl on the Train | Martha | ||
| 2017 | Table 19 | Bina Kepp | |
| The Boss Baby | Janice Templeton | Voice | |
| 2018 | Lovesick Fool – Love in the Age of Like | Ozma | Voice, Short film |
| 2019 | Long Shot | Katherine | |
| Booksmart | Charmaine Antsler | ||
| 2020 | Like a Boss | Shay Whitmore | |
| 2021 | The Boss Baby: Family Business | Janice Templeton | Voice |
| 2022 | Better Nate Than Ever | Heidi | |
| TBA | The Parenting |
Television[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Married to the Mob | Pilot | |
| Cheers | Emily | Episode: "Two Girls for Every Boyd" | |
| Just Temporary | Nicole | Television film | |
| 1990 | Newhart | Sada | Episode: "The Last Newhart" |
| Life Goes On | Stella | Episode: "Becca and the Band" | |
| 1991 | Murder in High Places | Miss Stich | Television film |
| 1992 | Room for Two | Woman in Black | Episode: "Not Quite... Room for Two" |
| 1993 | Flying Blind | Amy | Episode: "My Dinner with Brad Schimmel" |
| Bob | Kathy Fleisher | 3 episodes | |
| 1993–1999 | Mad About You | Ursula Buffay | 24 episodes |
| 1993–1994 | Coach | Lauren / Nurse Alice | 2 episodes |
| 1994–2004 | Friends | Phoebe Buffay | Main role, 236 episodes |
| 1995–2001 | Ursula Buffay | Recurring role, 8 episodes | |
| 1996 | Hope & Gloria | Phoebe Buffay | Episode: "A New York Story" |
| Duckman | Female Beta Maxians | Voice, episode: "The One with Lisa Kudrow in a Small Role" | |
| Saturday Night Live | Host | Episode: "Lisa Kudrow/Sheryl Crow" | |
| 1997 | Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist | Lisa | Voice, episode: "Reunion" |
| 1998 | The Simpsons | Alex Whitney | Voice, episode: "Lard of the Dance" |
| 1998–1999 | Hercules | Aphrodite | Voice, 4 episodes |
| 2001 | King of the Hill | Marjorie Pittman | Voice, episode: "The Exterminator" |
| Blue's Clues | Dr. Stork | Voice, episode: "The Baby's Here!" | |
| 2005 | Father of the Pride | Foo-Lin | Voice, 2 episodes |
| Hopeless Pictures | Sandy | Voice, 2 episodes | |
| 2005, 2014 | The Comeback | Valerie Cherish | 21 episodes; also co-creator, writer and executive producer |
| 2006 | American Dad! | Ghost of Christmas Past | Voice, episode: "The Best Christmas Story Never Told" |
| 2008–2014 | Web Therapy | Fiona Wallice | 132 episodes; also co-creator, writer and executive producer |
| 2010 | Cougar Town | Dr. Amy Evans | Episode: "Rhino Skin" |
| 2010–present | Who Do You Think You Are? | Herself | Executive producer; Episode: "Lisa Kudrow" |
| 2011 | Allen Gregory | Sheila | Voice, episode: "Mom Sizemore" |
| 2011–2015 | Web Therapy | Fiona Wallice | 44 episodes; also co-creator, writer and executive producer |
| 2013 | Wendell and Vinnie | Natasha | Episode: "Swindel & Vinnie" |
| Scandal | Congresswoman Josephine Marcus | 4 episodes | |
| 2015 | BoJack Horseman | Wanda Pierce | Voice, 7 episodes |
| 2016 | Angie Tribeca | Monica Vivarquar | Episode: "Pilot" |
| Must See TV: An All-Star Tribute to James Burrows | Herself | Television documentary | |
| 2016–2019 | Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt | Fairy Godmother, Lori-Ann Schmidt | 3 episodes |
| 2017 | RuPaul's Drag Race | Guest | Episode: "She Done Already Done Brought It On" |
| 2018 | Grace and Frankie | Sheree | 3 episodes |
| Bright Futures | Narrator | Unsold television pilot | |
| 2018–present | 25 Words or Less | Herself | Recurring guest, also executive producer |
| 2019 | Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas | Television film, executive producer | |
| 2020 | The Good Place | Hypatia | Episode: "Patty" |
| Space Force | Maggie Naird | Recurring role | |
| Death to 2020 | Jeanetta Grace Susan | Television special | |
| 2020–2021 | Feel Good | Linda | Main role |
| 2021 | Friends: The Reunion | Herself | HBO Max special; also executive producer |
| History of the Sitcom | Herself | Television documentary | |
| 2021-present | HouseBroken | Honey | Voice, main role |
| 2022 | Celebrity Iou | Herself | HGTV |
| Rick and Morty | Tyrannosaurus | Voice, episode: "JuRicksic Mort" | |
| TBA | Time Bandits | Penelope | Upcoming miniseries |
Awards & nominations[]
- Emmy Awards
- 1995 - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, "Friends" - (Nominated)
- 1997 - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, "Friends" - (Nominated)
- 1998 - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, "Friends" - (Won)
- 1999 - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, "Friends" - (Nominated)
- 2000 - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, "Friends" - (Nominated)
- 2001 - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, "Friends" - (Nominated)
- 2006 - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, "The Comeback" - (Nominated)
- Golden Globe Awards
- 1996 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV, "Friends" (Nominated)
- Screen Actors Guild Awards
- 1996 - Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series, "Friends" - (Nominated)
- 1999 - Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series, "Friends" - (Nominated)
- 2000 - Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series, "Friends" - (Won)
- 2004 - Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series, "Friends" - (Nominated)
- American Comedy Awards
- 1996 - Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV Series, "Friends" - (Nominated)
- 1999 - Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV Series, "Friends" - (Nominated)
- 1999 - Funniest Female Guest Appearance in a TV Series, "Mad About You" - (Nominated)
- 1999 - Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, "The Opposite of Sex" - (Nominated)
- 2000 - Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV Series, "Friends" - (Won)
- 2000 - Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication, "1999 MTV Movie Awards" - (Nominated)
- 2000 - Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, "Analyze This" - (Nominated)
- 2001 - Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV Series, "Friends" - (Nominated)
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- She is the oldest cast member from the six Friends.
External links[]
- Lisa Kudrow at Wikipedia
- Lisa Kudrow at the Internet Movie Database