Kudrow on Phoebe's Impact

Starting a new job often comes with the challenge of getting to know your coworkers, but for Lisa Kudrow, joining the cast of Friends turned out to be much less intimidating than she expected.

The actress, now 61, took on the role of the eccentric and lovable Phoebe Buffay in 1994, stepping into what would become one of the most iconic sitcoms of all time. In a December 9 interview on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, Kudrow opened up about her initial nerves about being accepted by her castmates and crew. However, she quickly realized she had little to worry about.

“It was great, we really did get along,” Kudrow shared during the interview. “We also worked really hard at being friends. That six-way relationship took some work, and we did it.”

Kudrow credited her costars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, and Matt LeBlanc for fostering an environment of respectful communication, which she believes was key to the group’s bond both on-screen and off. She admired their ability to handle conflicts with grace and openness, noting how they modeled behaviors that encouraged unity.

“If someone said something or did something, it didn’t get too big, because it was, ‘Can I talk to you?’” Kudrow explained. “I saw it modeled really well by Courteney, Jennifer, and Matt. Respectful communication.”

When reflecting on the show’s early days, Kudrow admitted she initially felt paranoid about whether her character would resonate with audiences. Director James Burrows even questioned how viewers would understand why Phoebe’s friends accepted her quirks. But any doubts about Phoebe’s role were soon erased as she became a beloved part of the group, winning over both fans and her coworkers.

Kudrow also reflected on her skepticism about the show’s success. “Here’s what a bad judge I am of whether a show’s going to be successful or not,” she said with a laugh. “I was like, ‘It’s cute?’ I was just glad it was on NBC!”

Nearly 30 years after the show’s debut, Kudrow still embraces the enduring popularity of Friends and says she feels nothing but gratitude for the experience.

During the interview, she also spoke movingly about her costar Matthew Perry, who passed away in 2023. Kudrow found comfort in knowing that Perry was content in his final moments. “He got to die happy. And to me, that was a gift,” she said.