Lisa Kudrow Opens Up About the Challenges of Playing Phoebe on Friends; Matt LeBlanc’s Advice Helped Her

Lisa Kudrow, the actress behind the quirky Phoebe Buffay on Friends, recently shared how tough it was to play the role. She said Phoebe was very different from her real personality, making it “a lot of work.” Kudrow also revealed how co-star Matt LeBlanc helped her during a moment of self-doubt.

The 61-year-old actress explained that Phoebe’s wild and illogical behavior was hard to justify at first. She had to think deeply to make Phoebe’s lines feel real. Kudrow admitted she struggled until LeBlanc gave her simple but powerful advice that changed everything.

Kudrow spoke about this in interviews with Variety and on the Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast. She said playing Phoebe required constant effort because the character was so unlike her.

Friends ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004. It became one of the most popular sitcoms ever. Kudrow starred alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, and the late Matthew Perry.

The Struggle of Becoming Phoebe Buffay

Lisa Kudrow said Phoebe Buffay was nothing like her in real life. The character’s bizarre logic and blunt honesty were hard to portray naturally.

“The things she said were so outrageously illogical that in order for me to justify them, I felt like ‘Oof!’ It just took a lot of work to figure out how is it possible that I think this is true or a good idea or a reasonable thing to say.”

She mentioned that in the first two seasons, she worked hard to understand Phoebe. But by season three, she felt something was wrong. She thought she was being lazy because she wasn’t overthinking the role as before.

Matt LeBlanc, who played Joey, noticed her stress. He told her she no longer needed to overanalyze because she had already mastered the character. His words helped her relax and trust her instincts.

“He said, ‘No, you know who the character is now. You don’t need to do the work you did. You got it.’ And I went, ‘What? Oh.’”

Kudrow said his advice was like a wake-up call. She realized she didn’t have to keep overworking herself.

The Friendship and Support Among the Friends Cast

Kudrow often praised the bond between the Friends cast. She said they worked hard to maintain a strong friendship off-screen.

She credited Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, and Matt LeBlanc for setting an example of respectful communication. The group made sure small issues didn’t turn into big problems.

“We also worked hard at being friends. That six-way relationship took some work and we did it.”

Kudrow also shared how LeBlanc supported her during an uncomfortable moment on set. A guest star made a rude comment about her appearance, saying she looked “f*ckable” with makeup on.

Instead of confronting the person herself, Kudrow told LeBlanc, who she saw as a big brother. He handled the situation for her, showing how close the cast was.

Rewatching Friends After Matthew Perry’s Passing

Last year, Kudrow started rewatching Friends to honor Matthew Perry, who played Chandler Bing. Perry passed away in October 2023 at age 54.

She admitted she rarely watched the show before because she found it embarrassing. But after Perry’s death, she wanted to remember his humor.

“Honestly, I wasn’t able to watch it because it’s too embarrassing to watch yourself. But if I make it about Matthew, then that’s okay.”

Kudrow said Perry was the funniest person on set. His comedic timing was unmatched, and he always made everyone laugh.

“You’re just laughing all day long, basically, in between the scenes, because these are funny people. And especially someone like Matthew, whose goal was: How many laughs can I get in real life every day?”

The Impact of Friends on Fans

Kudrow didn’t realize how big Friends would become. At first, she thought it was just a cute show, not groundbreaking like Seinfeld.

But after the 9/11 attacks, she understood its importance. A fan once thanked her for providing comfort during tough times.

“After 9/11 happened, I was driving home from work… someone in the car next to me might look over and go, ‘Ah,’ and wave or something. They just looked exhausted and tired and just went, ‘Thank you,’ and it almost made me cry.”

This moment showed her that Friends was more than just entertainment. It helped people escape their struggles, even for a little while.

Kudrow’s Career Beyond Friends

Aside from Friends, Kudrow starred in movies like Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion and The Opposite of Sex. She also had roles in TV shows like The Comeback and Web Therapy.

Despite her success, she stayed grounded with the help of her family. She said her child was always her priority, keeping her from getting too caught up in fame.

Kudrow was the first Friends cast member to win an Emmy. She took home the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1998.

The Legacy of Friends

Even after 20 years, Friends remains one of the most-watched sitcoms. New generations continue to discover and love the show.

Kudrow’s honesty about her struggles with Phoebe gives fans a deeper look behind the scenes. Her story shows how even successful actors face doubts and need support.

Matt LeBlanc’s advice not only helped Kudrow but also highlights the strong bond between the cast. Their real-life friendship made the show even more special.

Also Read: Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow From “Friends” Reunites and Share Pics on Instagram

Credits: Daily Mail

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