Lisa Kudrow Reflects on Feeling Overlooked During 'Friends' and Her Career Journey

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:58:00 +0200

Lisa Kudrow, best known for her role as Phoebe Buffay on the hit sitcom 'Friends,' recently shared her experiences of feeling overlooked during the show's success. In a conversation with The Independent, Kudrow explained that despite the global popularity of the series, she often felt sidelined and even referred to by her talent agency as 'the sixth Friend.' While the show became one of the most beloved television comedies, she suggested that expectations for her career were limited at the time, with some assuming she was simply lucky to be cast. Kudrow reflected on the challenges of bringing Phoebe to life, noting that the character initially felt far removed from her own personality and required significant effort to portray authentically. She also discussed how the role’s public perception as a quirky or 'ditzy' character sometimes influenced how she was professionally viewed. Over time, Kudrow admitted that playing Phoebe gradually shaped her own personality. Beyond 'Friends,' Kudr