Lisa Kudrow, known for her portrayal of Phoebe Buffay on the beloved sitcom Friends (1994-2004), recently opened up about her early struggles with the character. Appearing on SiriusXM’s Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast, the actor shared with co-host Ted Danson how her former co-star, Matt LeBlanc, helped her navigate her anxieties, likening it to a slap in the face – just what she needed.
Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay
When Friends first aired in 1994, Lisa Kudrow‘s character quickly became a fan favorite. Phoebe Buffay’s quirky personality, eccentric hobbies and unexpected wisdom added a unique charm to the sitcom.
Kudrow’s performance was critical to the character’s success, showcasing her talents for comedic timing and depth. Friends itself became a cultural phenomenon, running for 10 seasons and leaving an indelible mark on television history.
Lisa Kudrow had to work to nail the character
Lisa Kudrow revealed that it took a lot effort for her to fully grasp the Phoebe Buffay character during the early days of Friends. “It took me, if not a year and a half, maybe two seasons, before I felt like I had Phoebe down,” she explained to Ted Danson on Where Everybody Knows Your Name.
Phoebe’s bizarre statements required Kudrow to perform real “acting work” to make them believable. The actor recalled, “The things she said were so outrageously illogical that in order for me to justify them, you know, I felt like ‘Oof!'”
Doubts and anxieties after the second season of Friends
Despite her hard work, Lisa Kudrow began experiencing doubts about her performance after the second or third season of the series. She felt something was amiss, as if she wasn’t putting in the same effort as before.
“I’m like, ‘Something’s wrong,’ ’cause I’m not doing the work I was doing,” she admitted to Ted Danson. She feared she was slacking off and being lazy, leading to increased frustration with herself.
This period of her career made her question her ability to continue delivering Phoebe Buffay’s unique character traits effectively.
Matt LeBlanc provided words of reassurance to Lisa Kudrow
During this challenging time, Lisa Kudrow found unexpected support from her co-star, Matt LeBlanc.
Recognizing her distress, LeBlanc approached her and asked, “What’s going on with you?” She expressed her concerns, to which he responded, “No, you know who the character is now. You don’t need to do the work you did. You got it.”
LeBlanc’s words were a revelation for Kudrow, helping her realize that her familiarity with the Phoebe Buffay character meant she no longer needed to overthink her performance.
Exactly what Lisa Kudrow needed to continue with Friends
Matt LeBlanc’s encouragement was the turning point Lisa Kudrow needed. His reassurance allowed her to feel relaxed about her work on the show. “That was enough,” she explained. “It’s sort of like someone shook me ’cause I was getting hysterical. I wasn’t literally getting hysterical, but you know like if you’re getting hysterical, someone slaps you back. You’re like, ‘Oh, thanks. That’s what I needed.'”
More from us: Sandra Bernhard is ‘Sad’ She Couldn’t ‘Maintain’ Friendship With Madonna
Want articles by The Vintage News delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!
This newfound confidence enabled Kudrow to embrace her portrayal of Phoebe Buffay without the intense self-scrutiny she had imposed on herself. Thanks to LeBlanc’s words, she could enjoy the role, knowing she had already mastered the character.