Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay

Biography

Lisa was born on July 30, 1963 in Encino, California and was raised in Tarzana. Her Father was a headache specialist and Lisa expected to follow in his footsteps when she graduated from Vassar College in New York with a B.S. in biology and returned to California to work with him. But her career was cut short when her brother's friend, Jon Lovitz (Saturday Night Live album), suggested she audition for the comedy troupe, The Groundlings. She was not accepted the first time because of a lack of experience, but after she worked with Cynthia Szigeti, a well-known comedy teacher, she was accepted in 1989. During that time, Lisa was involved in a romance with then-unknown late night host, Conan O'Brien, which later evolved into an enduring friendship.

During Lisa's road to success, she endured some disappointments before she one the role of Phoebe Buffay on Friends. Her first role was as radio producer, Roz Doyle, on Frasier, but she was replaced by Pery Gilpin before the pilot episode was even shot. Lisa also had hoped that her role as waitress Ursula on "Mad About You" would sturn into something more, but fate had other plans. The next pilot she read for and was cast in was Friends! The character Phoebe was originally not cast as a twin, but the producers of Friends thought this would be an interesting way to have a crossover between Phoebe and Ursula.

Lisa received an Emmy nomination for "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy" for her work during the show's debut season and has been faced with many opportunities from Hollywood movie-makers and advertising representatives ever since.

So far, Lisa's various appearances have included hosting the VH1 Honors Awards, modeling for a milk ad with Jennifer Aniston (Rachel), and the Friends Diet Coke campaign.

Lisa has just given birth to a baby boy and is enjoying life with her French husband, Michael Stern.

Filmography

Movies
Television/TV Movies
Clockwatchers, 1997 (Paula) Friends, 1994, TV Series (Phoebe Buffay)
Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion, 1997 (Michelle) Bob, 1992 TV Series (Kathy Fleisher)
Mother, 1996 (Linda) Mad About You, 1992 [Ursula, waitress at Riff's (1993-)]
The Crazysitter, 1995 (Adrian Wexter-Jones)
In the Heat of Passion II: Unfaithful, 1994 (Bank Employee)
In the Heat of Passion, 1992
The Unborn, 1991 (Louisa)
L.A. on $5 a Day, 1989 (Charmer)

Other Guest Appearances

Phoebe Pics


Click on the picture at left to see my favorite Phoebe pics. To make a picture bigger, just click on it!