---
name: "Lisa Kudrow"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/lisa-kudrow"
fi1m_id: "lisa-kudrow"
imdb_id: "nm0001435"
tmdb_id: 14406
wikidata_id: "Q179041"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "30 July 1963"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 12
average_fi1m_score: 69
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 11
updated: "2026-10-13T21:56:22.795285+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Lisa Kudrow

## Identity

Lisa Kudrow

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/lisa-kudrow
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** lisa-kudrow
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001435
- **TMDB ID:** 14406
- **Wikidata ID:** Q179041
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Kudrow, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q179041, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001435/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/14406

Actor. Born 30 July 1963 in Encino, California, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 30 July 1963, Encino, California, USA
- **Active:** 1994–present
- **Also known as:** Lisa V. Kudrow, Lisa Valerie Kudrow
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 12: 11 acting, 1 producing
- **Frequently works with:** [Courteney Cox](https://film.one/person/courteney-cox.md), [Jennifer Aniston](https://film.one/person/jennifer-aniston.md), [Marc Platt](https://film.one/person/marc-platt.md), [Matthew Perry](https://film.one/person/matthew-perry.md), [Matt LeBlanc](https://film.one/person/matt-leblanc.md)
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won · 5 nominated)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 69, as actor, over 11 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 80 (2), 2010s 69 (7), 2020s 56 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 69 to 65 across 11 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 4 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 10 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 10, Animation 3, Family 2, Action & Adventure 1, Crime 1, Drama 1
- **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,180m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Kudrow, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q179041, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001435/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/14406

## Streaming the US now

- **Netflix:** [*BoJack Horseman*](https://film.one/tv/bojack-horseman.md) (91), [*Neighbors*](https://film.one/film/neighbors.md) (70), [*Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising*](https://film.one/film/neighbors-2-sorority-rising.md) (58), [*Death to 2020*](https://film.one/film/death-to-2020.md) (47)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Booksmart*](https://film.one/film/booksmart.md) (81), [*The Girl on the Train*](https://film.one/film/the-girl-on-the-train.md) (52)
- **HBO Max:** [*Friends*](https://film.one/tv/friends.md) (78), [*Friends: The Reunion*](https://film.one/film/friends-the-reunion.md) (58)
- **Apple TV:** [*Easy A*](https://film.one/film/easy-a.md) (77), [*Time Bandits*](https://film.one/tv/time-bandits-2024.md) (62)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Lisa Kudrow

> Lisa Kudrow gives eccentric characters their own conversational rhythm, and makes that rhythm funny. We rate her ability to unsettle a friendly ensemble; the more uncomfortable comedy she helped create afterwards asks for a greater tolerance of embarrassment.

In *Friends* (1994), Lisa Kudrow's Phoebe Buffay never quite settles into the same rhythm as the other five. Matthew Perry puts unexpected pressure on a word; David Schwimmer gives discomfort a physical weight; Kudrow makes the pace of an exchange less predictable. We warmed to Phoebe because that difference never stopped us believing she belonged with these people. The writing can strain to distinguish the six friends, but Kudrow gives it something useful: a character who does not seem to be waiting for permission to be peculiar.

There are limits to what that timing can repair. The social circle in *Friends* can feel airless, and the writing sometimes insists on differences the actors have already made clear. Kudrow's performance gives us a reason to return despite those faults. She also took an early film lead opposite Mira Sorvino, playing Michele Weinberger in *Romy and Michele's High School Reunion* (1997).

The sharper turn came after *Friends*, when she co-created, wrote and starred in *The Comeback* (2005). Developed with writer and director Michael Patrick King, it gives her Valerie Cherish, a self-absorbed former sitcom actress being followed in mock-reality style. Here the character's desperation makes embarrassment harder to shrug off, and the discomfort can crowd out the broader laughs. Co-creating and starring as Fiona Wallice in the improvised *Web Therapy* (2008) kept her involved in creating her own work.

Olivia Wilde's *Booksmart* (2019) finds her in a supporting part as Charmaine, while Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever carry the central friendship. We recommend that film for its humour and warmth, while finding its treatment of the friends' mistakes too tidy. It is a useful companion to *Friends*: another comedy whose appeal depends on believing that people enjoy each other's company, even when they have misjudged themselves. For Kudrow herself, start with Phoebe; try Valerie when there is more appetite for discomfort.

## Biography

Lisa Kudrow is an American actress. She was born on 30 July 1963 in Encino, California.

Kudrow is known for her role as Phoebe Buffay in the television series *Friends* (1994–2004). She has also appeared in films including *Romy and Michele's High School Reunion* (1997), *The Opposite of Sex* (1998), *Easy A* (2010), *Neighbors* (2014) and *Booksmart* (2019), in which she played Charmaine.

She created, produced and starred in the HBO series *The Comeback* (2005, 2014).

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org.*

## On Fi1m (12)

### Performed in (11) — the average rests on these

- *Time Bandits* (2024), Fi1m 62, as Penelope — [page](https://film.one/tv/time-bandits-2024.md)
- *Death to 2020* (2020), Fi1m 47, as Jeanetta Grace Susan — [page](https://film.one/film/death-to-2020.md)
- *Booksmart* (2019), Fi1m 81, as Charmaine — [page](https://film.one/film/booksmart.md)
- *The Boss Baby* (2017), Fi1m 56, as Mom (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-boss-baby.md)
- *Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising* (2016), Fi1m 58, as Dean Carol Gladstone — [page](https://film.one/film/neighbors-2-sorority-rising.md)
- *The Girl on the Train* (2016), Fi1m 52, as Martha — [page](https://film.one/film/the-girl-on-the-train.md)
- *BoJack Horseman* (2014), Fi1m 91, as Wanda Pierce (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/bojack-horseman.md)
- *Neighbors* (2014), Fi1m 70, as Carol Gladstone — [page](https://film.one/film/neighbors.md)
- *Easy A* (2010), Fi1m 77, as Mrs. Griffith — [page](https://film.one/film/easy-a.md)
- *King of the Hill* (1997), Fi1m 82, as Amy Pittman (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/king-of-the-hill-1997.md)
- *Friends* (1994), Fi1m 78, as Phoebe Buffay — [page](https://film.one/tv/friends.md)

### Produced (1)

- *Friends: The Reunion* (2021), Fi1m 58, as Self — [page](https://film.one/film/friends-the-reunion.md)

## Complete filmography (85)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Parenting* (2025), as Liddy
- *No Good Deed* (2024), series, as Lydia Morgan
- *Time Bandits* (2024), series, as Penelope — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/tv/time-bandits-2024.md)
- *Better Nate Than Ever* (2022), as Aunt Heidi
- *The Boss Baby: Family Business* (2021), as Grandma (Janice) (voice)
- *HouseBroken* (2021), series, as Honey (voice)
- *Friends: The Reunion* (2021), Executive Producer — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/friends-the-reunion.md)
- *Death to 2020* (2020), as Jeanetta Grace Susan — Fi1m 47, [page](https://film.one/film/death-to-2020.md)
- *Space Force* (2020), series, as Maggie Naird
- *Feel Good* (2020), series, as Linda
- *Like a Boss* (2020), as Shay Whitmore
- *Isteriku 120kg* (2020), Actor
- *Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas* (2019), Executive Producer
- *Friends 25th: The One with the Anniversary* (2019), as Phoebe Buffay
- *Human Discoveries* (2019), series, as Judy Elk (voice)
- *Booksmart* (2019), as Charmaine — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/booksmart.md)
- *Long Shot* (2019), as Katherine
- *Lovesick Fool - Love in the Age of Like* (2018), as Ozma
- *The Boss Baby* (2017), as Mom (voice) — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/the-boss-baby.md)
- *Table 19* (2017), as Bina Kepp
- *The Girl on the Train* (2016), as Martha — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/the-girl-on-the-train.md)
- *The Good Place* (2016), series, as Hypatia — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-place.md)
- *Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising* (2016), as Dean Carol Gladstone — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/neighbors-2-sorority-rising.md)
- *Americano* (2016), as Lucille (voice)
- *Angie Tribeca* (2016), series, as Monica Vivarquor — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/angie-tribeca.md)
- *Web Therapy* (2015), series, Original Series Creator
- *Grace and Frankie* (2015), series, as Sheree
- *Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt* (2015), series, as Fairy Godmother (voice), Lori-Anne Schmidt — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/unbreakable-kimmy-schmidt.md)
- *BoJack Horseman* (2014), series, as Wanda Pierce (voice) — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/bojack-horseman.md)
- *Neighbors* (2014), as Carol Gladstone — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/neighbors.md)
- *Rick and Morty* (2013), series, as Tyrannosaurus Rex (voice) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/rick-and-morty.md)
- *Scandal* (2012), series, as Congresswoman Josephine Marcus
- *Web Therapy* (2011), series, as Fiona Wallice · Creator
- *The Other Woman* (2010), as Carolyne Soule · Executive Producer
- *Easy A* (2010), as Mrs. Griffith — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/easy-a.md)
- *Cougar Town* (2009), series, as Dr. Amy Evans
- *Bandslam* (2009), as Karen Burton
- *Paper Man* (2009), as Claire Dunn
- *Powder Blue* (2009), as Sally
- *Hotel for Dogs* (2009), as Lois Scudder
- *Web Therapy* (2008), series, as Fiona Wallice · Producer, Creator
- *P.S. I Love You* (2007), as Denise
- *Kabluey* (2007), as Leslie
- *Hopeless Pictures* (2005), series, as Sandy
- *The Comeback* (2005), series, as Valerie Cherish · Writer, Executive Producer, Creator
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as The Ghost of Christmas Past (voice)
- *Happy Endings* (2005), as Mamie
- *Father of the Pride* (2004), series, as Foo Lin (voice), Foo-Lin (voice)
- *Picking Up & Dropping Off* (2003), Executive Producer
- *Wonderland* (2003), as Sharon Holmes
- *Marci X* (2003), as Marci Feld
- *Analyze That* (2002), as Laura Sobel
- *Bark!* (2002), as Darla
- *All Over the Guy* (2001), as Marie
- *Dr. Dolittle 2* (2001), as Ava (voice)
- *Lucky Numbers* (2000), as Crystal
- *Hanging Up* (2000), as Maddy Mozell
- *Analyze This* (1999), as Laura MacNamara Sobel
- *Hercules* (1998), series, as Aphrodite (voice)
- *The Opposite of Sex* (1998), as Lucia DeLury
- *Sink Or Swim* (1997), as Reading Woman
- *Clockwatchers* (1997), as Paula
- *Romy and Michele's High School Reunion* (1997), as Michele Weinberger
- *King of the Hill* (1997), series, as Amy Pittman (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/king-of-the-hill-1997.md)
- *Mother* (1996), as Linda
- *Blue's Clues* (1996), series, Actor
- *Ruby Wax Meets* (1996), series, Actor
- *Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist* (1995), series, as Lisa (voice), Additional Writing
- *Hope and Gloria* (1995), series, as Phoebe Buffay
- *The Crazysitter* (1994), as Adrian Wexler-Jones
- *Friends* (1994), series, as Phoebe Buffay — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/friends.md)
- *Duckman* (1994), series, Actor
- *In the Heat of Passion II: Unfaithful* (1994), as Teller
- *Mad About You* (1992), series, as Ursula Buffay, Karen
- *Bob* (1992), series, as Kathy Fleisher
- *Dance with Death* (1992), as Millie
- *In the Heat of Passion* (1992), as Esther
- *To The Moon, Alice* (1991), as Friend of Perky Girl
- *Murder in High Places* (1991), as Miss Stitch
- *The Unborn* (1991), as Louisa Krelm
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Alex Whitney (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *Coach* (1989), series, as Nurse Alice, Lauren
- *Newhart* (1982), series, as Sada
- *Cheers* (1982), series, as Emily — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/cheers.md)
- *Romy and Michele 2*, as Michele Weinberger · Executive Producer

## Gallery

- ![Lisa Kudrow](https://film.one/media/person/132937/gallery-3695a2c04895.jpg) Lisa Kudrow — Lan Bui, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Lisa_Kudrow_2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![At the premiere of "Love and Other Impossible Pursuits", directed by Don Roos, during the Toronto International Film Festival, 2009.](https://film.one/media/person/132937/gallery-7452438efac4.jpg) At the premiere of "Love and Other Impossible Pursuits", directed by Don Roos, during the Toronto International Film Festival, 2009. — Josh Jensen from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/Flickr_-_Josh_Jensen_-_Lisa_Kudrow.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Lisa Kudrow at the premiere of Love and Other Impossible Pursuits - Roy Thompson Hall - September 16, 2009](https://film.one/media/person/132937/gallery-da9ea7e55485.jpg) Lisa Kudrow at the premiere of Love and Other Impossible Pursuits - Roy Thompson Hall - September 16, 2009 — Courtney, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Flickr_-_csztova_-_Lisa_Kudrow_-_TIFF_09%27.jpg/1280px-Flickr_-_csztova_-_Lisa_Kudrow_-_TIFF_09%27.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Love and Other Impossible Pursuits - Roy Thompson Hall - September 16, 2009](https://film.one/media/person/132937/gallery-efcdd472118d.jpg) Love and Other Impossible Pursuits - Roy Thompson Hall - September 16, 2009 — Courtney, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/Flickr_-_csztova_-_Lisa_Kudrow_-_TIFF_09%27_%281%29.jpg/1280px-Flickr_-_csztova_-_Lisa_Kudrow_-_TIFF_09%27_%281%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Lisa Kudrow](https://film.one/media/person/132937/gallery-e5cb1cd5b013.jpg) Lisa Kudrow — Image via TMDB
- ![Lisa Kudrow](https://film.one/media/person/132937/gallery-2e5ec4270315.jpg) Lisa Kudrow — Image via TMDB
- ![Lisa Kudrow](https://film.one/media/person/132937/gallery-5453c65b0331.jpg) Lisa Kudrow — Image via TMDB
- ![Love and Other Impossible Pursuits - Roy Thompson Hall - September 16, 2009](https://film.one/media/person/132937/gallery-6c11ceed04af.jpg) Love and Other Impossible Pursuits - Roy Thompson Hall - September 16, 2009 — Courtney, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/Flickr_-_csztova_-_Lisa_Kudrow_-_TIFF_09%27_%281%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Love and Other Impossible Pursuits - Roy Thompson Hall - September 16, 2009](https://film.one/media/person/132937/gallery-1bfa84c06029.jpg) Love and Other Impossible Pursuits - Roy Thompson Hall - September 16, 2009 — Courtney, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Flickr_-_csztova_-_Lisa_Kudrow_-_TIFF_09%27_%282%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Lisa Kudrow](https://film.one/media/person/132937/gallery-0f28c553c111.jpg) Lisa Kudrow — Image via TMDB
- ![Lisa Kudrow](https://film.one/media/person/132937/gallery-52938b1a0e93.jpg) Lisa Kudrow — Image via TMDB
- ![Lisa Kudrow](https://film.one/media/person/132937/gallery-a13cf121656c.jpg) Lisa Kudrow — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Golden Globes — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 1996: Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film (nominated)

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won, 5 nominated

- 2001: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (nominated)
- 2000: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (nominated)
- 1999: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (nominated)
- 1998: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (won)
- 1997: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (nominated)
- 1995: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (nominated)

### SAG Awards — 2 won, 5 nominated

- 2003: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (nominated)
- 2002: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (nominated)
- 2001: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (nominated)
- 2000: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (won)
- 1999: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (nominated)
- 1998: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (nominated)
- 1995: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (won)

### Other awards — 12 won, 1 nominated

- Children's and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Performance 2022: Children's and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Performance (nominated), for *Better Nate Than Ever*
- Dorian Awards 2014: Dorian Awards (won)
- People Magazine Awards 2014: People Magazine Awards (won)
- Webby Award 2011: Webby Award (won)
- Webby Award 2009: Webby Award (won)
- Gracie Awards 2006: Gracie Awards (won)
- Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy 2001: Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy (won)
- American Comedy Awards 2000: American Comedy Awards (won)
- Blockbuster Entertainment Awards 2000: Blockbuster Entertainment Awards (won), for *Analyze This*
- Teen Choice Award for Choice Hissy Fit 2000: Teen Choice Award for Choice Hissy Fit (won), for *Hanging Up*
- TV Guide Award 2000: TV Guide Award (won)
- New York Film Critics Circle 1998: New York Film Critics Circle (won)
- New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress 1998: New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress (won), for *The Opposite of Sex*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/lisa-kudrow