Lisa Kudrow, who portrayed the iconic Phoebe Buffay on the sitcom “Friends,” has created an awe-inspiring career in entertainment. In 2024, her Net worth is $130 million.
Early Life and Education
Lisa Kudrow was born in Encino, California, on July 30th, 1963, to a middle-class Jewish family. After studying Biology at Vassar College with the intent of pursuing a career as a headache specialist like her father, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Breakthrough with “Friends”
Kudrow’s career-changing role was that of Phoebe Buffay on the television series, “Friends,” which ran from 1994 to 2004. She received critical acclaim for her portrayal of the free-spirited and quirky character, including a Primetime Emmy Award in 1998.
Earnings from “Friends”
Kudrow received $22,500 per episode for the first season of “Friends.” In the last two seasons, she earned $1 million apiece per episode and became one of television’s highest-paid actresses at that time.
Syndication and Residuals
And the staggering syndication deals for “Friends” continue. Kudrow continues to score big on residuals for these deals along with her co-stars, part of what keeps the money coming into her pocket.
Film and Television Roles
Kudrow has appeared in some films and other television series besides “Friends.” Her reprisal roles in “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion,” “Analyze This,” and the HBO series “The Comeback,” which she co-created and produced, are memorable projects.
Production Ventures
Kudrow also ventured into production, co-creating and producing the web series “Web Therapy,” which Showtime later picked up. These business ventures have offered different streams of income and displayed her array of talents in the field.
Real Estate Investments
Kudrow has been investing strategically in real estate over the years. She bought a Beverly Hills home in 1996 for $1.9 million, measuring up to 6,400 square feet. She also purchased a $2.4 million Beverly Hills property in 2001.
Awards and Recognition
Kudrow has won plenty of awards throughout her career. Aside from her Emmy Award, she is the recipient of a Screen Actors Guild Award and an American Comedy Award for comedic contributions to television.
Philanthropic Efforts
Kudrow has worked with multiple charitable organizations, most focused on health and education. Her charity work shows that she wants to make a difference in the lives of others.
Personal Life
Kudrow wed French advertising executive Michel Stern in 1995. They have one son, Julian Murray Stern (b. 1998). Kudrow lives a fairly private family life away from the entertainment world.
While Lisa Kudrow was no stranger to film and television, with a degree in biology and experience working behind the scenes in production before taking on her most notable role of Phoebe Buffay, she undoubtedly both stunned everyone as an actress and impressed many further as a producer. Through her eclectic career and sound financial move, she has become one of the biggest names in entertainment.
