Lisa Kudrow Biography Lisa Valerie Kudrow born July 30, 1963 is an American actress best known for her role as Phoebe Buffay on the hit television series Friends, which aired from 1994 to 2004. Her portrayal of Phoebe earned her numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, Satellite Award, American Comedy Award, and TV Guide Award. Phoebe is widely regarded as one of the greatest TV characters of all time, and the role became a defining moment in Kudrow’s career, propelling her to success in both film and television. Kudrow’s acting career began with a brief appearance in a 1989 episode of Cheers, where she played a character named Emily. She then starred as Ursula in several episodes of Mad About You (1993), a role that was later written into the Friends storyline as Phoebe’s twin sister.
Lisa Kudrow Biography
Lisa Kudrow, best known for her role as Phoebe Buffay on Friends (1994-2004), was born in Encino, California, on July 30, 1963. Her mother, Nedra S. (Stern), was a travel agent, and her father, Lee N. Kudrow, was a physician. Both of her parents were of Jewish descent, with roots in Belarus, Russia, and Hungary. Raised in Tarzana, Lisa was active in high school sports, playing varsity tennis, and she became an accomplished pool player, mastering difficult trick shots. After high school, Lisa graduated from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology. Initially, she intended to pursue a career in research, returning to Los Angeles to work alongside her father. However, her path changed when she was inspired by comedian Jon Lovitz, a friend of her brother, to pursue a career in performing.
Lisa Kudrow Biography Details
Born |
Lisa Valerie Kudrow
July 30, 1963 (age 61)
Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Education |
Vassar College (AB) |
Occupation |
Actress |
Years active |
1983–present |
Known for |
Friends |
Spouse |
Michel Stern
(m. 1995) |
Children |
1 |
Category |
Singers Bio |
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About Lisa Kudrow
Lisa Valerie Kudrow is an American actress. She rose to international fame for her role as Phoebe Buffay in the American television sitcom Friends, which aired from 1994 to 2004. The series earned her Primetime Emmy, Screen Actors Guild, Satellite, American Comedy and TV Guide awards.
- Born: 30 July 1963 (age 61 years), Encino, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Spouse: Michel Stern (m. 1995)
- Children: Julian Murray Stern
- Education: Vassar College, Taft High School, Portola Middle School, The Groundlings
- Siblings: Helene Marla Kudrow, Derrick Kudrow, David B. Kudrow
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Early Life
Lisa Kudrow was born in the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles on July 30, 1963, to Nedra, a travel agent, and Lee Kudrow, a doctor who specialized in treating headaches. She has an older sister, Helene, and two brothers, David and Derrick. Raised in a middle-class Jewish family, Kudrow had a Bat Mitzvah and is of Belarusian, German, Hungarian, and Polish Jewish descent. Many of her Belarusian ancestors were killed during the Holocaust, including her paternal great-grandmother. Kudrow attended Portola Middle School in Tarzana, Los Angeles, and graduated from Taft High School in Woodland Hills. She later earned her A.B. in biology from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, with plans to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a headache expert.
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Lisa Kudrow’s Age & Height
Lisa Kudrow stands at 5′ 8″ according to various sources, including IMDb. She was born on July 30, 1963, which makes her 61 years old as of the fall of 2025. This also makes her a Leo, a zodiac sign known for its vivacity, passion, and theatrical nature—traits that align well with Kudrow’s dynamic career. Leos are often drawn to creative pursuits and self-expression, qualities that Kudrow embodies as she continues to act, even without the financial need to do so.
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Personal Life
Lisa Kudrow married French advertising executive Michel Stern on May 27, 1995. They live in Beverly Hills, California, and have a son, Julian, born on May 7, 1998. Kudrow’s pregnancy was incorporated into the fourth season of Friends, where her character Phoebe acted as a surrogate mother, carrying triplets for her half-brother and his wife. In addition to her Beverly Hills home, Kudrow previously owned a penthouse in Park City, Utah, which she sold in 2017. In 2019, she publicly discussed her experience with body dysmorphic disorder while filming Friends.
Does Lisa Kudrow Have a PhD?
Lisa Kudrow does not hold a PhD. She graduated from Vassar College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology. Kudrow was an accomplished varsity tennis player in high school and college, and she is also a skilled pool player, known for mastering difficult trick shots.
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Lisa Kudrow Net Worth
Lisa Kudrow has an estimated net worth of $130 million and owns multiple luxurious properties, especially in the Los Angeles area. In 1996, she bought a 6,400-square-foot mansion in Beverly Hills for $1.9 million. Later, in 2001, she acquired another Beverly Hills property for $2.4 million, located near Rodeo Drive. Kudrow also sold a penthouse in Park City, Utah, for $3.6 million in April 2017, though the exact purchase price remains unknown.