BIOGRAPHY

Lisa Kudrow could not be more different than her wildly popular Friends’ character, Phoebe Buffay. Buffay is the flaky Friend. Kudrow is the smart one.

After completing her Bachelor of Science in Biology (yup), Kudrow had plans to begin a career as a medical researcher. She even already had a research credit to her name, but, inspired by family friend, comedian Jon Lovitz, she decided instead to try comedy. Kudrow studied acting, and joined Groundlings, a Los Angeles improvisational comedy troupe. She did well in the challenging world of improv and enjoyed her role in a local production of The Ladies’ Room. By 1989, the 26-year-old turned to television comedy. She was Woody’s girlfriend on Cheers, and appeared in Coach, Newhart, Just Temporary, Life Goes On, Close Encounters, To The Moon Alice, and the TV movie Murder In High Places (1991). Film roles began for the actor the same year as her television debut, and continued with LA on $5 A Day (1989), In The Heat of Passion, 1 and 2 (1991), The Unborn (1991), and Dance With Death (1991). In 1992, Kudrow took on the role of Ursula in the TV sitcom Mad About You.

Audiences were instantly drawn to the funny, fluffy character, and critics and industry peers loved her, too. Kudrow is the only cast member to have any solo awards to her credit (the entire cast has been honored with an ensemble award), and her awards are legion -- two Emmy nominations, one Emmy win, two Screen Actors’ Guild awards, and an American Comedy award. Casting directors took note, and movie roles came non-stop. The roles got increasing better, as well. Behind Closed Doors (1994), was followed by The Crazysitter (1995), Mother (1996), Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion (1997), Clockwatchers (1998), The Opposite of Sex (1998 - for a New York Film Critics’ Circle award), Analyze This (1999), and Hanging Up (2000). All that and a full-time series to boot.

Some Friends cast members confess a kinship with their on-camera character. Not Kudrow. She and her character are different in more than even mental capacity and ambition: unlike swinging single Phoebe, the actor has been married to husband Michel Stern for five years, and is mother to son Julian. Her 1998 pregnancy was written into the Friends plot.

Upcoming for Kudrow is the film Numbers, and at least one more season of Friends. Her comedic talents and wide-ranging acting experience, combined with charm and blonde good looks are certain to make for a long and interesting show business career. If not, there’s always medical research..