Lisa Kudrow is an American actress, comedian, writer, and producer. Born on July 30, 1963, in Encino, California, Kudrow turned what could’ve been a goofy side character on Friends into one of the most beloved figures in TV history. Quirky, soulful, oddly wise—Phoebe earned her a Primetime Emmy and a permanent spot in pop culture.
But Kudrow’s story didn’t start (or stop) there. Before Friends, she popped up in Cheers and Mad About You, where she played Ursula—who later became Phoebe’s twin in a clever crossover. On film, she delivered in Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion and stunned critics with The Opposite of Sex.
She’s also a powerhouse behind the camera. The Comeback and Web Therapy—both her brainchildren—proved she’s just as sharp writing and producing as she is acting.
As of July 2025, Lisa Kudrow is 61 years and 11 months old. Her estimated net worth is $140 million, and she is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm or 1.73 m) tall.
Bio/Wiki
Full Name
Lisa Valerie Kudrow
Nickname
Lisa
Profession
American actress
Career
Debut
Movie
L.A. on $5 a Day (1989)
TV Show
Emily in Cheers (1989)
Best Known for
Lisa Kudrow is best known for her role as Phoebe Buffay, the quirky masseuse and musician on the hit sitcom Friends (1994–2004), which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award.
Awards
Personal Profile and Background Details
Date of Birth
30 July 1963
Age
As of today, Lisa Kudrow is 61 years, 11 months, and 18 days old.
Zodiac sign
Leo
Signature
Nationality
American
Birth Place
Encino, Los Angeles, California, United States
Residence
Encino, Los Angeles, California, United States
School / College / University
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology—specifically Psychobiology—from Vassar College in 1985. At the time, acting wasn’t even on her radar. Kudrow had her sights set on medical research and even collaborated with her father, a renowned headache specialist, on neurological studies. Her early work involved analyzing left-handedness and brain function—a far cry from sitcom scripts and studio lights. But as life would have it, her sharp mind and unique spark found a different stage. And while she left the lab behind, you can still see that scientific curiosity in the way she builds characters—with detail, depth, and just enough unpredictability.
Religion
Lisa Kudrow grew up in a middle-class Jewish family and chose to have a Bat Mitzvah, even though her family didn’t belong to a synagogue and her father was an atheist. For her, it wasn’t about tradition—it was about identity. She’s spoken openly about her Jewish heritage, her family’s Holocaust history, and the antisemitism she’s faced.
Race / Ethnicity
Lisa Kudrow is of Ashkenazi Jewish ethnicity, with her family roots tracing back to Belarus, Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Russia. Her paternal ancestors were Jewish immigrants from Belarus, including some who perished in the Holocaust, and her maternal side includes Hungarian Jewish heritage.
Food Habits
She doesn’t believe in punishing her plate. Her approach to food is all about balance and intuition—more “listen to your body” than “count every calorie.” Breakfast might be veggie juice, eggs, or a slice of wholegrain toast. Snacks? Think protein smoothies or a handful of sprouts. Lunch is usually light and practical: rice cakes, veggies, some chicken breast, maybe a spoonful of peanut butter. Dinner could be sweet potatoes, salad, avocado—and if she’s feeling it, dessert too.
She’s also not afraid to enjoy a full-on fried breakfast now and then—eggs, salami, the works—or even fried chicken for dinner. Lisa’s not vegan, not restrictive, and definitely not chasing perfection. She’s spoken candidly about the pressure to look a certain way during Friends, but these days, she leans into body positivity and mental health over extremes. Her secret? Eating well, staying kind to herself, and knowing that food isn’t the enemy.
Hobbies
In her own words, sometimes doing nothing sounds a lot more appealing than a packed schedule. Still, she’s got a few low-key passions. She played varsity tennis back in high school and college, and still enjoys a casual game or a walk to stay in shape. She used to play piano and loves the simple joy of baking chocolate chip cookies from scratch.
When she’s winding down, it’s all about comfort: audiobooks, rewatching classics like All About Eve, or catching up on The Real Housewives of New York City. She’s a self-declared homebody who genuinely enjoys quiet time with her toy poodle, Woolly.
Tattoo
Lisa Kudrow does not have any widely known or publicly confirmed tattoos herself.
Physical Attributes and Measurements
Height
- In feet: 5′ 8″
- In Centimetres: 173 cm
- In meters: 1.73 m
Weight
- In kilograms: 62 kg
- In Pounds: 137 lbs
Body Measurements
36-26-35 Inches
Shoe size
8 US
Dress size
6 US
Bra size
34C
Eye color
Blue
Hair color
Brown
Family
Husband
Michel Stern (1995–Present)
Father
Lee N. Kudrow
Mother
Nedra Stern
Siblings
David B. Kudrow (Elder Brother)
When Lisa was torn between pursuing medicine or chasing her quiet dream of acting, it was David—already on the path to becoming a neurologist—who gave her the nudge she needed. “If you’re unsure,” he told her, “don’t take someone else’s spot.” That advice changed everything.
David went on to study medicine and biology at USC and now works as a neurologist. He’s married to Aya Michaely, a home designer, and they have two sons, Ethan and Dani.
Derrick Kudrow (Brother)
Derrick is a very private person, and less is known about him.
Helene Marla Kudrow (Sister)
Lisa Kudrow’s bond with her older sister, Helene Marla Kudrow—now Helene Sherman—runs deeper than most sibling ties. When Lisa faced bullying as a kid, often targeted for being Jewish, it was Helene who showed up, literally. If Lisa had no one to eat lunch with, Helene would come to school, take her out, and make sure she felt seen and safe. That kind of loyalty sticks.
The two sisters share more than a family name—they look alike and share a quiet strength. While medicine ran deep in the Kudrow family, Helene was the first to take a different path, choosing art over anatomy. She became a sculptor, forging her own creative identity. Today, she’s married to businessman David Sherman, and together they have three children: Drew, Cari, and Ethan.
Children
Julian Murray Stern (Son) (7 May 1998)
Other
Mother-in-law
Relationship & More
Marital Status
Married to Michel Stern
Marriage Date
27 May 1995
Boyfriend and Dating history
Michel Stern (1995–Present)
Lisa Kudrow’s love story with Michel Stern didn’t begin with sparks flying—it started with restraint. They first met in the late ’80s when Michel, a French advertising executive, was dating Lisa’s roommate. She was instantly drawn to him but didn’t act on it. “He’s the perfect man,” she thought, “and it’s all ruined.” So, out of respect, she said nothing.
Six years later, fate quietly circled back. They reconnected at that same roommate’s birthday party—single, older, and finally in the right place. Conversation turned into connection, and not long after, they were inseparable. Lisa and Michel married in May 1995 in Malibu, surrounded by close friends, including her Friends co-stars.
Now, nearly 30 years in, they’ve built a quiet, enduring partnership. No fairy-tale theatrics—just honesty, mutual support, and a shared sense of humor. They have one son, Julian Murray Stern, born in 1998. Michel may stay out of the spotlight, but he’s always in her corner.
Conan O’Brien (1988—1993)
Net worth 2025
$140 million
As of July 2025, it’s estimated that Lisa Kudrow has a net worth of about $140 million. When people hear her name, the first thing that comes to mind is usually Friends—and for good reason. As the eccentric, lovable Phoebe Buffay, Kudrow became one of the most iconic TV personalities of the ’90s and early 2000s. But what many don’t realize is that her financial success stretches far beyond Central Perk. From executive producing TV shows to earning millions in syndication royalties, Kudrow has quietly built an empire with smarts, subtlety, and staying power.
Let’s break it all down.
1. Acting Career: Her Biggest Paychecks Came from Friends
Friends (1994–2004)
Kudrow’s role on Friends was her financial rocket ship. The show started modestly, but by the end, each of the six main cast members was earning Hollywood history-making salaries.
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Season 1 Salary: $22,500 per episode
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Seasons 2–4: Gradual increases up to $125,000 per episode
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Season 5: $250,000 per episode
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Season 6: $750,000 per episode
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Seasons 9 & 10: $1,000,000 per episode
That’s $1 million per episode, for 20+ episodes a season, for two seasons.
💰 Total from Friends salaries alone: ~$90 million over 10 seasons
(Source: OK Magazine, Business Insider, Celebrity Net Worth)
Post-Friends TV and Film Roles
While Phoebe was her signature role, Kudrow kept her acting career active and eclectic after Friends ended.
Notable Films:
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Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997)
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The Opposite of Sex (1998) — critically acclaimed
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Analyze This (1999) and Analyze That (2002)
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P.S. I Love You (2007)
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Neighbors (2014)
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The Boss Baby (2017)
Box Office Totals: Films she’s appeared in have collectively earned over $2 billion globally
While she’s not always the lead, these supporting roles added a steady income stream.
Estimated earnings from film and post-Friends roles: ~$10–15 million
2. Syndication Royalties: The Gift That Keeps Giving
Even two decades after it ended, Friends remains a financial powerhouse.
Warner Bros. earns an estimated $1 billion per year from Friends syndication rights, DVD sales, and streaming deals (like the $425M Netflix deal, later moved to HBO Max).
Each of the six main actors reportedly earns 2% of the annual syndication revenue.
💸 Lisa Kudrow’s annual royalty cut: ~$20 million per year, every year
And yes, that’s passive income.
(Source: Fox Business, Independent, Parade)
3. Production and Writing Ventures: Behind the Scenes Paychecks
Kudrow didn’t just stop at acting—she stepped behind the camera and created some truly original shows.
The Comeback (HBO)
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Co-creator, writer, executive producer, and star.
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Though it had a short original run in 2005, it returned for a second season in 2014 and developed a cult following.
Web Therapy (Showtime)
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Kudrow played Fiona Wallice, an unorthodox therapist offering 3-minute sessions via webcam.
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Also co-created and executive produced the series.
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Ran for five seasons, featured big guest stars like Meryl Streep and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Who Do You Think You Are? (NBC, TLC, later CW)
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Executive producer of this genealogy-based docu-series.
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The show has won multiple Emmy Awards and continues to be a quiet success.
These ventures didn’t just showcase her creativity—they paid her as a producer, writer, and actor.
Estimated total earnings from creative/production roles: ~$15–20 million, considering backend deals and licensing.
4. Real Estate: Low-Key Long-Term Investment
Lisa isn’t a real estate flipper like some stars, but she’s made smart, stable moves.
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Beverly Hills Home: Purchased in 1996 and still lives there. Worth an estimated $8–10 million today.
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Park City, Utah Penthouse: Formerly owned, sold in 2017 for an undisclosed amount (likely in the $3–5 million range).
These properties not only gave her stability, but also asset growth over time.
Estimated gain from real estate investments: ~$5–8 million
5. Voice Work and Endorsements: Small But Meaningful Extras
Kudrow has voiced animated characters in:
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BoJack Horseman
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The Boss Baby
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El Americano
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The Simpsons (guest appearance)
She hasn’t aggressively pursued endorsements, but she has lent her name to meaningful causes and campaign PSAs. These gigs are smaller revenue streams but contribute to her brand and earnings.
Estimated earnings from voice work/endorsements: ~$2–3 million total
Car collection
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2020 Jaguar F-Type SVR
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Luxury sports coupe
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5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine, 575 hp
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0-60 mph in 3 seconds, top speed 186 mph
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Approximate value: $124,450
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2019 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe
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Sports car
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3.0-liter twin-turbocharged Flat-6 engine, 370 hp
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0-60 mph in 4 seconds, top speed 177 mph
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2010 Lexus RX350
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SUV
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3.5-liter V6 engine
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Driver-assist features, fuel-efficient
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Approximate value: $38,500
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Toyota Prius
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Hybrid hatchback
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1.8-liter turbocharged Inline-4 engine + electric motor, 121 hp
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Fuel-efficient daily driver
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Approximate value: $28,545
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House
Lisa Kudrow’s real-life home couldn’t be further from Phoebe Buffay’s bohemian chaos—and that’s entirely the point. Nestled in the hills of Beverly Hills, California, her residence is clean, crisp, and quietly luxurious. She bought the home back in 1996 for $1.9 million—right in the middle of Friends fever—and gave it a thoughtful renovation in 2019. Today, it’s a modern family sanctuary she shares with husband Michel Stern and their son Julian.
The interiors follow a minimalist rhythm: cream sofas, vaulted ceilings with exposed wooden beams, and a monochrome palette that feels calm but never cold. The kitchen leans into function and flair—wooden cabinetry, sleek white counters, and orange stools that give it just the right pop.
Her home office hints at nostalgia, with Friends memorabilia tucked between family photos. Outside, a garden lounge floats above greenery, framed by a glass balcony. It’s private, peaceful, and unmistakably hers.
She also owns a second home in Palm Springs and a penthouse in Park City, Utah, once valued at $3.6 million—proof that Kudrow’s style isn’t loud, but it lasts.
Check House Photos here.
