Lisa Kudrow

Lisa Kudrow is an American actress, comedian, and producer best known for her role as Phoebe Buffay on NBC’s Friends (1994-2004). Born in Los Angeles to a physician father, she earned a biology degree from Vassar College before pursuing comedy with The Groundlings improv troupe.

Kudrow’s breakthrough came with Friends, where her portrayal of the quirky, lovable Phoebe earned her an Emmy Award and made her one of television’s highest-paid actresses. She reportedly earned $1 million per episode in the final seasons and continues to earn substantial residuals.

Beyond Friends, Kudrow created, wrote, and starred in The Comeback (2005, 2014), a satirical comedy about a former sitcom star seeking relevance in Hollywood. The show became a cult classic and critical favorite. She also created and produced Web Therapy (2008-2015) and appeared in films including Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997), Analyze This (1999), and Booksmart (2019).

In 2026, Kudrow returns for The Comeback Season 3 on HBO Max, bringing back her beloved character Valerie Cherish 12 years after Season 2.