Lisa Kudrow

Lisa Kudrow has been honored with five Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as the spacey but lovable folk singer and massage therapist Phoebe and she took home the statuette in 1998. She has also received a Screen Actors Guild Award (and two additional nominations) for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series, an American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a Television Series and a Golden Globe Award nomination for her performance on “Friends.”

In addition to her success on television, Kudrow has received rave reviews for her feature-film roles. She won the Best Supporting Actress Award from the New York Film Critics and an Independent Spirit Award nomination and a Chicago Film Critics Award nomination for her portrayal of “Lucia” in the Don Roos-directed film “The Opposite of Sex.” She also starred opposite Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro in the film “Analyze This,” for which she won a Blockbuster Award.

Most recently she starred opposite Damon Wayans in the film “Marci X” for director Richard Benjamin and had a role in the independent film “Bark” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January. Last year, Kudrow starred in the film “All Over the Guy” and heard her provide the voice to Ava the Bear in “Dr. Dolittle 2.”Kudrow also starred in the film “Hanging Up” opposite Meg Ryan and Diane Keaton, and appeared opposite John Travolta in “Lucky Numbers.” In 1997, she shared top billing in the critically acclaimed hit comedy “Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion” with Mira Sorvino, and co-starred in Albert Brooks’ comedy “Mother.” She also starred in “Clockwatchers” opposite Toni Collette and Parker Posey.While Kudrow has always been passionate about acting, she never thought of it as a career until after college. While growing up, she performed and reenacted many of her favorite movie scenes for family and friends.

Kudrow graduated from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York with a bachelor of science degree in biology. She returned to Los Angeles intending to pursue a career in research, but her passion to act and perform resurfaced when her brother’s good friend, actor comedian Jon Lovitz, inspired her to pursue her dream. She began studying with improvisational instructor Cynthia Szigeti and acting teacher Ian Tucker. In 1989, Kudrow was accepted as a member of the famed Los Angeles improv group, the Groundlings.

In addition, Kudrow maintains the distinction of having been in two outstanding television series simultaneously. Along with her role on “Friends,” she portrayed the ditzy waitress Ursula on the comedy “Mad About You.” Playing the twin sisters Ursula and Phoebe, Kudrow had the opportunity to concurrently appear in what were at the time two of the most popular series on television.