Lisa Kudrow is looking back on “Friends” with a different perspective following the death of her co-star Matthew Perry.
Reflecting on the sitcom that made her a global star, the actress said the show now feels more meaningful than ever. She also revealed how revisiting the sitcom has become difficult in the wake of Perry’s death, as it reminds her she’ll never again experience Perry’s presence and talent off-screen.
More than two decades after “Friends” first aired, the sitcom remains a cultural staple, still pulling in new generations of fans.
Kudrow was at the center of that success, starring alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, and the late Perry.
Now, Kudrow says her view of the show has shifted, especially after revisiting it following Perry’s death.
“After Matthew died, I watched the show again,” she told The Times. “Before, I only saw what I did wrong or could have done better. But for the first time, I truly appreciated just how great it was. I felt I did OK, but Jennifer and Courteney? Amazing. David and Matt? They had me laughing so hard. And then Matthew, he was just beyond us all.”
Kudrow Says Matthew Perry’s Death Made ‘Friends’ Hard To Rewatch
While their characters often clashed on “Friends,” Kudrow and Perry shared a much closer bond off-screen.
The actress later honored that friendship by writing the foreword to her co-star’s 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,” where she admitted she hadn’t fully grasped the depth of his struggles with addiction.
Now, that realization has made revisiting “Friends” more emotional than ever.
“Because there was a genius at work,” Kudrow said of Perry’s performance as Chandler. “And whatever any of us do in the future, we will never experience something like that again.”
Lisa Kudrow Once Gave Herself A Deadline To Make It In Hollywood
After “Friends” wrapped in May 2004, the cast branched out in different directions, with varying levels of success.
For Kudrow, the transition led to a steady run in comedy, with roles in films like “Happy Endings,” “Hotel for Dogs,” “Easy A,” and “Neighbors.” She also moved behind the scenes, producing projects including “Web Therapy” and the TLC/NBC series “Who Do You Think You Are?”
However, Kudrow says her career wasn’t always something she took for granted. Early on, she gave herself a limited window to make acting work, with a backup plan already in mind.
“I said to myself, ‘You’re young… Have fun and try it.’ But always in the knowledge that life gets harder. You take on family and responsibilities,” she told The Times.
The Actress Hesitates On AI Bringing Back ‘Friends’
As AI continues to make inroads in Hollywood, Kudrow isn’t convinced it should be used to revive “Friends.”
When asked whether she’d sign off on a deal allowing her likeness to be used in AI-generated episodes of the hit sitcom, Kudrow made it clear the choice wouldn’t be hers alone.
“Well, it wouldn’t be my decision,” she said. “All the cast would have to agree. Bright, Kauffman, Crane [the show’s creators and producers] would have to agree too.”
Even then, she suggested the idea may not get far. Kudrow noted that not everyone involved would necessarily be interested, regardless of how lucrative the offer might be.
Lisa Kudrow Reflected On Being Married Before ‘Friends’ success
Away from Hollywood, Kudrow built a stable personal life long before “Friends” turned her into a household name. She has been married for decades to French-born advertising executive Michel Stern, per PEOPLE.
That timing, she says, helped her sidestep the level of public scrutiny that followed co-stars like Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox at the height of the show’s fame.
Reflecting on it now, Kudrow acknowledged the role that decision played, while also stressing the importance of keeping her career separate from her home life.
“For sure, and all because I married early and outside the business,” she said. “No one was interested. There was no story. And very early on, I was pretty clear: actors on a big show are well paid and really looked after. But you cannot take that attitude home with you. At home, it’s family, life, kids.”
