Lisa Kudrow Makes Bold Admission About Her Time Working on 'Friends'
Lisa Kudrow Makes Bold Admission About Her Time Working on 'Friends' originally appeared on Parade.
The revelation that just shattered every 90s kid's heart has me questioning everything I thought I knew about our beloved Phoebe Buffay.Lisa Kudrow's latest confession about portraying the quirky masseuse-musician on proves that even our most iconic TV moments required more work behind the scenes than we ever imagined.
Speaking with Parker Posey for series, the 61-year-old actress delivered a truth bomb that has fans everywhere doing double takes. Kudrow revealed that bringing Phoebe to life was actually "a lot of work" because the character was "so far from who I was as a human being."
For those of us who grew up believing Kudrow simply channeled her inner free spirit every Thursday night, this admission feels like discovering Santa isn't real all over again. The actress explained she had to mentally justify everything Phoebe said to make it feel authentic: "I needed to justify everything she was saying in my head so that it felt like she meant it and it was real to her."
The most mind-blowing part? According to People, Matt LeBlanc apparently told Kudrow during Season 2 or 3, "What's the matter with you? You're her. You don't have to," when she worried about not doing enough preparation. The irony that Joey Tribbiani had to remind Phoebe's actress to relax is peak Friends meta-humor.What makes this revelation particularly fascinating is how Kudrow's dedication to craft created one of television's most memorable characters. Her six Emmy nominations and one win for Phoebe prove that sometimes the best performances come from actors stretching far beyond their comfort zones.
Kudrow also shared insights about the cast's real-life dynamics, crediting Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, and LeBlanc with modeling "respectful communication" that kept their six-way friendship functional. "We really did get along," she confirmed, "We also worked hard at being friends."
For 90s kids who've rewatched Friends countless times on streaming platforms, learning about Kudrow's internal process adds new layers to appreciate. Every "Smelly Cat" performance and Central Perk conversation now feels even more impressive knowing the thoughtful preparation behind Phoebe's seemingly effortless eccentricity.
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Lisa Kudrow Makes Bold Admission About Her Time Working on 'Friends' first appeared on Parade on Jun 9, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
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