Lisa Kudrow look back on “Friends» with a different perspective following the death of his co-star Matthew Perry.
Reflecting on the sitcom that made her a global star, the actress said the series now feels more meaningful than ever. She also revealed how difficult it has become to revisit the sitcom in the wake of Perry’s death, as it reminds her that she will never again experience Perry’s presence and talent off-screen.
Lisa Kudrow Has a New Friend Perspective After Matthew Perry’s Death
More than two decades after “Friends” first aired, the sitcom remains a cultural staple, still attracting new generations of fans.
Kudrow was at the center of that success, alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and the late Perry.
Now, Kudrow says his view of the show has changed, especially after revisiting it following Perry’s death.
“After Matthew died, I rewatched the show,” she told the Times. “Before, I only saw what I did wrong or what I could have done better. But for the first time, I really appreciated how great it was. I felt like I did well, but Jennifer and Courteney? Amazing. David and Matt? They made me laugh so much. And then Matthew, he was just above all of us.”
Kudrow Says Matthew Perry’s Death Made ‘Friends’ Hard to Watch Again
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,” in which she admitted that she hadn’t fully grasped the depth of his struggles with addiction.
Today, this realization has made visiting “Friends” more moving than ever.
“Because there was a genius at work,” Kudrow said of Perry’s performance as Chandler. “And no matter what any of us do in the future, we will never experience anything like this again.”
Lisa Kudrow once gave herself a deadline to succeed in Hollywood
After “Friends” ended in May 2004, the cast branched out in different directions, with varying levels of success.
For Kudrow, the transition led to a steady career in comedy, with roles in films like “Happy Endings,” “Hotel for Dogs,” “Easy A” and “Neighbors.” She also moved behind the scenes, producing projects such as “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. At first, she gave herself a limited window to do acting work, with a backup plan already in mind.
“I said to myself, ‘You’re young…Have fun and give it a try.’ But always knowing that life becomes more difficult. You take on the family and the responsibilities,” she told the Times.
The actress is hesitant about AI bringing back her ‘friends’
As AI continues to emerge in Hollywood, Kudrow isn’t convinced it should be used to revive “Friends.”
When asked if she would sign 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 solely hers.
“Well, it wouldn’t be my decision,” she said. “All actors should agree. Bright, Kauffman, Crane [the show’s creators and producers] we would also have to agree.
Even then, she suggested the idea might not go far. Kudrow noted that not everyone involved would necessarily be interested, no matter how lucrative the offer.
Lisa Kudrow reflected on her marriage before the success of ‘Friends’
Away from Hollywood, Kudrow built a stable personal life long before “Friends” made her a household name. She has been married for decades to French-born advertising executive Michel Stern, according to PEOPLE.
That timing, she says, helped her avoid the level of public scrutiny that followed co-stars like Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox at the peak of the show’s fame.
Reflecting on it now, Kudrow acknowledged the role that decision played, while emphasizing the importance of separating one’s career from one’s home life.
“Of course, and all because I got married early and outside of work,” she said. “No one was interested. There was no story. And very early on, I was quite clear: the actors in a big series are well paid and really well cared for. But you can’t bring that attitude home. At home, it’s family, life, children.”