Updated On: 29 July, 2025 07:38 PM IST | Athulya Nambiar
While her role in Friends as Phoebe Buffay made her a household name, Lisa Kudrow’s off-screen journey is equally fascinating. From her academic roots in biology to her wit as an improsiver to humble beginnings, we take a look at 12 lesser known facts about the actress

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Lisa aka Phoebe has a degree in Biology
Lisa graduated from Vassar College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, intending to follow in her father’s footsteps as a headache specialist
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Was going to be a medical researcher
Before acting, she actually worked with her father on a research project involving left-handedness and headaches
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Being Phoebe was written in the stars
Lisa initially auditioned for the role of Roz on Frasier before landing the part of Ursula Buffay on Mad About You, which led to her being cast as Phoebe in Friends
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Fired from Frasier
Lisa was cast in the pilot as Roz Doyle but was fired before filming began. She later called it a "blessing in disguise"
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She’s a trained improv performer
Kudrow honed her comedic timing at The Groundlings, an iconic improv group in Los Angeles where many SNL stars got their start
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She’s fluent in French
Well, if you have seen Friends this might not come as a surprise. Lisa speaks French and has even showcased her skills in interviews and shows
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Lisa`s salary on her debut film
She made her film debut in a low-budget indie in 1989, years before Friends made her a household name. For the film, she got 5 dollars a day
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She has a production company
Lisa co-founded Is or Isn’t Entertainment, which produced her acclaimed HBO series The Comeback and Who Do You Think You Are?
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Struggled with body image on Friends
Lisa has admitted she often felt insecure on the set of Friends, comparing herself unfavorably to co-stars Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox
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Has a long-lasting marriage
Lisa has been married to Michel Stern, a French advertising executive, since 1995 — a rare example of a stable Hollywood relationship
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Belarusian-Jewish descent
Her paternal grandparents emigrated from Belarus, and she has explored her roots on the genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are?
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She helped create Web Therapy
Kudrow co-created and starred in Web Therapy, a digital series turned TV show, where she played a self-absorbed therapist. It ran for four seasons